Jazz is NOW!
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Jazz is NOW! is a nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, dedicated to providing original, vibrant jazz in the Twin Cities and across the state. The organization serves to support the NOWnet, Jazz is NOW's performing ensemble, and present performances by local and national artists performing original compositions.[1]
Jazz is NOW! was born in 2003 at Brilliant Corners, the for-profit jazz club in downtown Saint Paul run by local musician and composer Jeremy Walker. The centerpiece of the organization is the Jazz is NOW! NOWnet, a fluid working group of top musicians based in the Twin Cities, supplemented by guest performers from the Midwest and New York City.
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[edit] Mission and history of Jazz is NOW!
The mission of Jazz is NOW! is to present vibrant, original music written by local and national artists. Jazz is NOW! began in 2003 at Brilliant Corners, a jazz club in downtown Saint Paul, with a performance by [[Wynton Marsalis]] and his quintet, featuring special guest Itzhak Perlman. Jazz is NOW! has developed into the support organization for the Jazz is NOW! NOWnet, as well as a lead and co-presenter of performances by local and national jazz artists. Jazz is NOW! has partnered nationally with Jazz at Lincoln Center and Palmetto Records, as well as with several Twin Cities-based organizations.
The organization uses its website to present a documentary-like experience to audiences. It includes free downloadable music, videos from rehearsals and performances, free scores of songs performed by the NOWnet, blogs written by staff, musicians and fans, an interactive history of the organization, and more.[2]
[edit] The NOWnet
Jazz is NOW!'s NOWnet (formerly called the Jazz is NOW! Orchestra) is the centerpiece of the organization. it's comprised of six to ten musicians from the Twin Cities area and built as a composers’ ensemble, influenced by the hard-swinging, freewheeling sound of Charles Mingus and the historic territory bands of the Midwest.[3]. The ensemble solely performs original works and arrangements written by local and national musicians.
The current core members of the NOWnet are:
- Jeremy Walker (bandleader, piano)
- Kelly Rossum (trumpet)
- Chris Thomson (saxophones)
- Scott Fultz (saxophones)
- Anthony Cox (bass)
- Kevin Washington (drums)
[edit] References
- ^ [1], Jazz is NOW! official website
- ^ "Jeremy Walker brings back Jazz is NOW!", MinnPost, March 7, 2008
- ^ "Jeremy Walker continues his jazz mission", Minnesota Public Radio, April 29, 2005
