Jazz and Contemporary Music Chamber Music Series: Stellar Nucleosynthesis

Stellar nucleosynthesis is a term in the field of physical cosmology that refers to the creation of chemical elements by nuclear fusion reactions that take place within stars. This process has occurred since the original creation of hydrogen, helium and lithium during the first 10 seconds to 20 minutes of the Big Bang. As a predictive theory, it yields accurate estimates of the observed abundances of the basic elements in our universe.

Keep that in mind this year as we progress through our own “Big Bang” of a Concert Season in the Jazz and Contemporary Music Department at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. The first of these concerts features two of our amazing groups here on campus. A jazz combo led by Peter Cassino will be performing a selection of unique repertoire where the students can express their individual creative voices. Performing works by Steve Swallow and Joe Henderson this group is comprised of:

Soso Gelovani – Bass

Gagi Hajinrih – Guitar

David Harewood – Piano

Taylor Roland – Trumpet

Jili Sha – Voice

PG Weng – Guitar

The Second group on the concert will be The Art Ensemble led by Charlie Kohlhase. This group is known for performing repertoire that sits at the margins and this semester is no exception. Charlie has woven together a deep collection of songs from artists Sonny Simmons, Johnny Mbizo Dyani, Himself, and John Tchicai into a compelling musical narrative. Each of the pieces sits alone with creative identity unlike anything else. We have all heard multiple times throughout the semester the stories surrounding each one of these pieces so you won’t want to miss it when Charlie tells them one more time from the bandstand. This group features:

Hayes Cummings – Guitar

Alexander Dillon – Drums

Esteban Godoy – Piano

Yun-Han Hsu – Piano

Charlie Kohlhase – Alto Sax

Sungjun Lee – Trumpet

Yanming Lu – Clarinet

Yuanwei Lu – Clarinet

Libby Jean Platt – Alto Sax

PG Weng – Guitar

Stellar Nucleosynthesis is presented by the Longy Jazz and Contemporary Music Department. This is the first of many concerts featuring the JCM Department and the incredibly diverse range of music coming out of Longy.

Program info: Cassino Combo

Punjab 1964 – Joe Henderson 1937-2001

Muddey in the Bank 1994 – Steve Swallow 1940

Thinking Out Loud 1994 – Steve Swallow 1940

Invitation 1950 – Steve Swallow 1940

Program Info Art Ensemble:

Reincarnation (1969) – Sonny Simmons 1933

Appear (1981) – Johnny Mbizo Dyani 1945 – 1986

Dyani (1986) – Charlie Kohlhase 1956

Lonely Woman 1959 – Ornette Coleman 1930 – 2015, Arranged by John Tchicai 1936 – 2012

The Secret (1986) – John Tchicai 1936 – 2012