Lake and his compatriots will perform Lake’s “new and newer compositions.” “It’s all about choices,” states modern Renaissance Man Oliver Lake to explain his expansive artistic vision. An accomplished poet, painter and performance artist, Lake has published a book of poetry entitled Life Dance, has exhibited and sold a number of his unique painted-sticks at the Montclair Art Museum, and has toured the country with his one-man performance piece, Matador of 1st and 1st. But it’s his extraordinary talents as composer, saxophonist, flautist and bandleader that have brought him world-renown. Although his greatest reputation exists in the world of jazz, Lake’s amazingly eclectic musical approach is best expressed by his popular poem SEPARATION: “put all my food on the same plate!”

“The modern big-band sound funnels directly back to the Count Basie band from the 1950’s, with its pinpoint blending of reeds and brass and dynamic drumming. Not Mr. Lake’s. He mixes blues and gospel, funk and free; but his free jazz is never maundering. He likes players with a sense of humor and style; his pieces explode with bursts of chaotic energy but don’t lose direction.” – Ben Ratliff, The New York Times

Featuring: Oliver Lake, alto sax; Erica Lindsay, tenor sax; Jason Marshall, bari sax; Bruce Williams, alto sax; Peck Allmond, Nabate Ilses trumpet; Al Paterson, Aaron Johnson, trombone; Yoichi Uzeki, piano; Bob Sabin, bass; others TBA.