Be Here Now: Steve Lehman Octet @ EMPAC at RPI, 5/28/10
NOTE: Ticket giveaway! Yeah, we’ve got a pair of FREE tix to give away for this show. Give leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but perhaps you’d like to suggest a performer that you’d like to see at EMPAC next season? Be sure to include your email address (we won’t publish it), so we can contact you to let you know if you’ve won. We’ll pick a random comment on Friday afternoon.. Congratulations, Rudy!
The Steve Lehman Octet blows into EMPAC at RPI in Troy on Friday night to wrap up the 2009-2010 season.
Alto saxophonist Lehman certainly isn’t a household name, but if you’re a fan of jazz – or any style of spirited, high-energy, adventurous music – you’re going to want to take a listen to him.
Here’s a clip of Lehman and his band performing “Echoes” just last week in concert in Amsterdam:
A former student of sax greats Jackie McLean and Anthony Braxton, Lehman was named “Rising Star” on alto sax by the Down Beat Magazine International Critics’ Poll for four consecutive years – 2006-2009.
And when the Jazz Journalists Association announced the nominations for their 14th annual awards ceremony (to be held in Manhattan next month), Lehman earned nods in three of the most prestigious categories: Alto Saxophonist of the Year, Composer of the Year and Recording of the Year (for his octet album “Travail, Transformation and Flow” on the Pi Recordings label).
In addition to Lehman, his band at EMPAC will feature Jeremy Viner, Jonathan Finlayson, Tim Albright, Jose Davila, Chris Dingman, Drew Gress and Tyshawn Sorey.
The Steve Lehman Octet performs at EMPAC at RPI in Troy at 8pm on Friday. Tix are $15; students and seniors $10.
I think a great performer for EMPAC next year would be Dana Hall – see: http://www.danahallmusic.com/ His new release, “Into the Light,” is amazing. In addition to being a jazz drummer he is also a composer, ethnomusicologist and educator. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him win a MacArthur genius award.
First, great blog you have here. Thanks. Second, Lehman’s new album “Travail…” is worth hearing for jazz and non-jazz fans alike. Third, I would suggest getting some West Coast jazz like artists from the Cryptogramophone label, like Jeff Gauthier, Nels Cline Singers, Alex Cline, etc.
Yes, Like Ed just posted Neils Cline Singers would be a good fit @EMPAC. Jarrett/Haden Duo, Tomasz Stanko. Miles Davis (sniff) he would be 84 and what would he be blowing today.
I swear I didn’t pay either of the folks who commented above, but they’ve given me a wonderful opportunity to not only attempt to win free tickets, but also to plug a bunch of interviews on The Jazz Session. Here they are:
Steve Lehman:
http://thejazzsession.com/2009/11/04/the-jazz-session-105-steve-lehman/
Dana Hall:
http://thejazzsession.com/2010/05/13/the-jazz-session-168-dana-hall/
Nels Cline:
http://thejazzsession.com/2010/05/06/the-jazz-session-166-nels-cline/
Enjoy!
Jason Crane
The Jazz Session
thejazzsession.com
Let’s bring some Christian Rock bands into EMPAC to perform. Toby Mac, Skillet, Superchick, Hawk Nelson, Lincoln Brewster. Its not Jazz but its spirited, high-energy, adventurous, creative, meaningful music. Keep in mind for future. Thanks.
Keep up the jazz at Empac.
Yes, Like Ed just posted Neils Cline Singers would be a good fit @EMPAC. Jarrett/Haden Duo, Tomasz Stanko. Miles Davis (sniff) he would be 84 and what would he be blowing today.
EMPAC Rocks!