For the past 6 years, Columbus pianist Mark Flugge has been conducting the “Chamber Jazz Series”, highlighting small group jazz concerts presenting music from the jazz tradition. Each performance focuses on a specific composer, artist, style, or recording and is expressed in an entertaining but sophisticated manner. The Chamber Jazz Series is held at the Columbus Museum of Art each month on a given Sunday and this Sunday, November 6th features the next Chamber Jazz at the Museum show, “Bluesology: Music of the Modern Jazz Quartet”. The Modern Jazz Quartet, led by pianist John Lewis, was revolutionary in broadening the scope of jazz to include classical influence.
In addition to Flugge on piano, the quartet will include vibist Nate Anders, vocalist Lisa Clark, bassist Chris Berg, and drummer Joe Ong. Of the musicians for this performance and the music of the night, Flugge explains:
“For this show, bassist Chris Berg, and drummer Joe Ong are perfect for the subtle and deep swing provided by Percy Heath and Connie Kay. Vibist Nate Anders will sound great in the Milt Jackson role, and while MJQ didn’t usually feature singers, I know that vocalist Lisa Clark will sing the MJQ standards with much feeling. John Lewis was the pianist and co-leader, and I’ll be fitting in to his role. The MJQ was maybe the first real chamber jazz group; a group that consciously targeted the concert halls rather than the night clubs, and sought to combine European classical music with blues and bebop.”
Bluesology: Music of the Modern Jazz Quartet with Mark Flugge
General admission: $20 ($15 seniors and $7 students)
Museum members discounts: $18 general ($13 seniors and $5 students)
Entrance the Museum is included with admission, and parking is free.
You can purchase tickets online at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1029612599?ref=ebtn, or at the door, or by calling the Museum at 614-221-6801.
Columbus Museum of Art
480 E Broad St
Columbus OH 43215
Sunday, November 6
2 sets starting at 3PM
More About Mark Flugge
Mark is well-known as a pianist, composer, educator, and bandleader in the Central Ohio area and beyond. Recent soloist appearances include performing “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra (2011), the Capital/Bexley Orchestra (2009), the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (2006 and 2010), and the Westerville Symphony (2004). He was the musical director for the “Birth of the Cool” with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in May, 2011, and was the bandleader for the Opera Columbus production of Kurt Weill’s “Berlin to Broadway” in September, 2010.
As a leader, Flugge has recorded three CDs: “In Love, In Blue” on solo piano, “February’s Promise” (jazz quintet original compositions), and “Familiarity”, which also features Gene Bertoncini and Michael Moore. He has also recorded four CDs with Columbus singer Dick Mackey, and is the featured soloist on the Famous Jazz Orchestra CD “Sight Readin’ Baby”. The Ohio Arts Council has awarded Flugge on three separate occasions for pieces he composed for his group “No Pedestrians”. His recent composition “Tranquillo e Inspirare for flute, clarinet, and jazz piano” is a classical/jazz hybrid, and was premiered at Capital University by the Inspirare Duo.
Mr. Flugge is a jazz faculty member at The Ohio State University, the Capital University Conservatory of Music, and the Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy; he is also a former faculty member of the Eastman School of Music, and is a member of Music Teachers National Association. Flugge has conducted clinics throughout the U.S. and Germany on jazz improvisation, jazz piano, and the music of Duke Ellington. Mark earned a BM in jazz composition from OSU, and MM in jazz performance from Eastman. His teachers include Paul Gearhart, Richard Tetley-Kardos, Bob Allen, Hank Marr, Tony Caramia, and Bill Dobbins.
More about Mark: http://www.markflugge.com/