Aaron Burnett and his quintet the Big Machine return to Roulette with new “Jazztronica”compositions inspired by electronic music techniques and sounds from his own long-standing fascination with UK drum ‘n’ bass, electro, and hip hop. The band will be paying homage to a classic period in drum ’n’ bass history in which jungle, drum ‘n’ bass and intelligent / ambient drum ‘n’ bass were all being created in a vibrant co-existent space. Big Machine will also incorporate elements of modern hip hop, drill music and trap as well providing an elaborate soundscape for the audience. Collectively the band will emulate, and enhance, that complex sound-field of machine-based music with jazz improvisation and techniques. But it’s important to note that this isn’t a jazz over drum ‘n’ bass beats set – it’s new material that evolves from elements of machine-produced music, with those sounds in turn allowing Aaron’s quintet to soar and transcend genre-boundaries. Considering Aaron has performed on two Grammy winning albums, and has been exploring the zone he calls ‘Jazztronica’ for a good while now, we can assume that his goal of creating new ‘future music’ sonic atmospheres will be successful. As Aaron notes “Human evolution beyond the machines is upon us…”

Aaron Burnett tenor sax, electronics, compositions
Peter Evans trumpet
Carlos Homs piano/keys
Nick Jozwiak bass, synths
Tyshawn Sorey drums

A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing.

Producer, composer, performer, and Grammy-winning saxophonist Aaron Burnett is an up-and-coming jazz star.  After graduating from Berklee College of Music Aaron has made a name for himself performing as a valued sideman with Esperanza Spalding, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Vijay Iyer, and many other big names. However Aaron Burnett is gaining momentum as his own entity.  As the primary composer for his band Aaron Burnett and The Big Machine, Aaron’s music has been referred to as, “navigating the crevices and passageways between musical dimensions.” (Philip Booth, Jazziz Magazine, March, 2021) Aaron’s interest in technology has also led him to establish Sistine Criminals, a live electronic band that plays trap, hip hop, R&B, and creates studio backing tracks for artists.

Peter Evans is a composer, trumpet player, bandleader and educator based in New York City.  For 20 years Evans has been pushing the boundaries of creative music in formats as divergent as solo trumpet improvisation, symphony orchestras, jazz ensembles, noise/electronic music, and through-composed works. He’s been the recipient of awards and commissions worldwide including the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 2022. He’s released 20 albums of original music including the critically acclaimed Ghosts, Lifeblood and Being & Becoming. A prolific composer and performer, Evans tours regularly with his groups Being & Becoming, SYMPHONY, Forever 21, as a soloist and as a collaborator with some of the leading lights of modern music.

Carlos Homs is a New York–based pianist, composer, and producer whose work spans jazz, hip‑hop, and electronic music. He has performed with Steve Lehman, Reggie Workman, Bernard Purdie, DJ Premier, Feid, and many others, and leads his own projects including the trio release The Theory Conspiracy.

Nick Jozwiak has become one of the most in demand young bassist in new york city due to his ferocious stamina, amazing sound, excellent playing, and stage presence.  He has performed with George Garzone, Peter Evans, Dave Liebman, Joel Ross, and many other great artists.

Tyshawn Sorey is a Pulitzer Prize–winning composer, multi‑instrumentalist, and professor whose work blurs the line between composition and improvisation. He was awarded the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Music for Adagio (for Wadada Leo Smith) and is a 2017 MacArthur Fellow. His music has earned global recognition for its genre mobility, structural daring, and emotional depth.