Douglas Ewart leads a tribute to fellow AACM member, the late Joseph Jarman. Best known for his work with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Jarman brought an unpredictable theatricality along with his virtuosity as a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist to performances. Pianist David Virelles combines Afro-Cuban rhythms with avant-garde sensibilities for his Ḿbọ̀kọ́ ensemble with Eric McPherson, Román Diaz, and Rashaan Carter. Festival organizer / dancer Patricia Nicholson assembles a first-time collaboration with electronic artist Val Jeanty and the incomparable Cooper-Moore. Tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis brings his UnRuly Quintet, with guitarist Anthony Pirog and trumpeter Jaimie Branch, augmenting his core trio of bassist Luke Stewart and drummer Warren Crudup. Alto saxophonist Darius Jones continues exploring his composition Cartilage, with a new quartet well versed in Jones’ unique improvisational language.
Visionary Youth Orchestra
Douglas R. Ewart and Bamboo Constellations
Tribute to Joseph Jarman
Douglas R. Ewart: woodwinds
Mankwe Ndosi: vocals
Reggie Nicholson: vibraphone
Mike Reed: drums
Brandon Ross: guitar
Sara Schoenbeck: bassoon
Luke Stewart: bass
David Virelles Ḿbọ̀kọ́
David Virelles: piano
Eric McPherson: drums
Román Díaz: percussion
Rashaan Carter: bass
Patricia Nicholson: dance
Val Jeanty: percussion, electronics
Cooper-Moore: piano
James Brandon Lewis – An UnRuly Quintet
James Brandon Lewis: tenor sax
Luke Stewart: electric bass
Warren G Crudup III: drums
Anthony Pirog: guitar
Jaimie Branch: trumpet
Darius Jones Quartet
Darius Jones: alto sax
Craig Weinrib: drums
Dezron Douglas: bass
Michael Vatcher: percussion
The Vision Festival is a celebration of boundless improvised art. Now in its 24th year, this festival of music, dance, poetry, and visual art is heralded as “one of New York’s most essential art events” (New York Times). Legendary and emerging stars representing the free jazz, experimental, and avant-garde communities will perform 30 sets over six nights.
Founded in 1996, festival presenter Arts For Art (AFA) is a New York City-based tax exempt organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of free jazz — an American indigenous art form in which improvisation is principle.
The Vision Festival is a co-production between Arts for Art and Roulette. The festival is made possible in part thanks to public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the city council. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Support through New Music USA’s NYC New Music Impact Fund is made possible with funding from The Scherman Foundation’s Katharine S. and Axel G. Rosin Fund. This program is made possible in part thanks to the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Jacob and Ruth Epstein Foundation.
Photo: David Virelles by Rómulo Sans, James Brandon Lewis by Diane Allford, Douglas R. Ewart
