The Jazz Arts Group’s Inside Track series caps off Jazz Appreciation Month on April 29 – 30 at the Lincoln Theatre with “Birth of the Cool,” a recreation of the iconic 1949-50 Miles Davis recording sessions featuring Mark Flugge (music director) and Jim Powell (trumpet); and a multi-media retrospective of mid-century art and design including narration by Denny Griffith, president of the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD).
As jazz’s bebop movement flourished during the late 1940s with its
fast-paced rhythms from virtuosos like trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and
saxophonist Charlie Parker, trumpeter Miles Davis headed off in a new
direction. Taking cues from the innovations learned in Parker’s group,
Davis, along with his nonet, recorded twelve songs in a two-year span that,
when released together on one album, became known as Birth of the Cool.
Birth of the Cool remains one of the defining, pivotal moments in jazz.
Featuring unusual instrumentation and several notable musicians, the music
consisted of innovative arrangements strongly inspired by classical music,
and marked a major development in post-bebop jazz. Cool jazz, which became
prominent during the Second World War, stands as an important reaction to
bebop, in that the music was intricately arranged with a composed sound
along with improvised sections. Later cool jazz would become strongly
identified with west coast jazz – probably best represented by the Dave
Brubeck Quartet’s jazz classic Time Out (1959). The cool jazz influence even
stretches into such developments as bossa nova, modal jazz and free jazz.
Single tickets are on sale now for $25 (orchestra) and $30 (loge) and are
available by phone at 614-469-0939 and through all Ticketmaster outlets.
Student tickets are also available for $15 with student ID at the door only.
Call 614-294-5200 or visit www.jazzartsgroup.org
Columbus Alive will host a post-concert happy hour event on Saturday, April
30 at Black Creek Bistro (51 Parsons Avenue in Olde Towne East) featuring
dinner and drink specials including a signature drink created especially for
the “Birth of the Cool” concert.
In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month and in partnership with the Jazz Arts
Group, the Columbus Museum of Art invites you to take a special
Guide-by-Cell tour inspired by the “Birth of the Cool.” Come be moved by
music and art – discover the works of artist Man Ray, Rosemare Bearden,
Stephen Longstreet and more. Free with museum admission during the month of
April.
On April 16 at 2:00 PM, join Mark Flugge for the Jazz Academy’s “COOL
SCHOOL: Birth of the Cool” workshop to learn more about this important era
in American music history – from the arrangements and instrumentation to the
historical context and the artists associated with the movement. Register
via phone at 614-294-5200 x 107 or online at www.jazzartsgroup.org
The “Birth of the Cool” concert events are made possible through financial
support from the State Auto Group. The Inside Track music series is
presented by the Jazz Arts Group with media support from The Columbus
Dispatch, Columbus Alive, CD101@102.5 and WCBE 90.5 FM.