Steve Swell – trombone, compositions
Rob Brown – alto saxophone
Dave Burrell – piano
William Parker – bass
Chad Taylor – drums, percussion

Steve Swell‘s curiosity and passion for extending the bounds of the vocabulary of the trombone has garnered for himself the reputation of being an asset to any ensemble he is a part of in the wide arena of the world’s improvising communities.

Kende Dreams began as an homage to Béla Bartok and sources its name from the “Kende,” the spiritual leader of the early Hungarian tribe known as the Maygars.  Although thought to be wiped out, the spirit of the Kende strives to assert itself in art, music and throughout modern society. This program will feature some of New York’s premier improvisers playing music inspired by Bartok and Olivier Messiaen.

A native of Newark, NJ, Steve Swell has been an active member of the NYC music community since 1975. Having toured with and recorded with artists such as Anthony Braxton, Bill Dixon, Cecil Taylor and William Parker, Swell counts over 40 CDs to his name and is a featured artist on more than 100 other releases. In addition to running workshops around the world, Swell is a teaching artist in the New York City public school system focusing on special needs children.