Calgary jazz drummer Jon McCaslin has assembled a nine-piece jazz chamber orchestra comprised of the city’s premier jazz artists to present an evening of music featuring works from the iconic Miles Davis album, “The Birth of the Cool”. Recorded between 1949 and 1950 this project was originally a collaboration between Miles Davis and composer/arranger Gil Evans who sought to create a new medium for jazz improvisation in the context of a mid-sized instrumental ensemble and as an alternative to the popular, fast Bebop styles of the time. Also intended to be an alternative to the louder, boisterous big bands of the day, this smaller mixed-piece ensemble (which also included french horn and tuba) aimed to incorporate the influence of European impressionistic classical composers and to blend the intimacy of a small jazz group and lyrical improvisations with clever and imaginative ensemble arrangements, rich in harmonic textures. Featuring works by Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan, John Lewis and composer John Carisi these artists sought to create an ensemble sound that blended the horns more “like a choir” rather than the standard big band approach of the time. Miles Davis stated that: “I wanted the horns to sound like human voices singing…and they did.” This music represents a seminal transitional moment in jazz history and a significant recording that features the evolution and influence of trumpeter Miles Davis.
Featuring: Trumpet – Andre Wickenheiser Alto Saxophone – Mark DeJong Trombone – Carsten Rubeling Baritone Saxophone – Gareth Bane French Horn – Cinnamon Anderson Tuba – Paul Toutant Piano – Jon Day Bass – Rubim DeToledo Drums – Jon McCaslin
$25 adults $20 students/seniors