The Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University presents its Conversations Series, through which the Center's renowned faculty will engage leading composer Roy Nathanson in a reflection on the role of improvisation in his creative life.
Roy Nathanson is a composer, saxophonist, songwriter, poet, actor, and teacher. He is the leader and principal composer of the Jazz Passengers, a band that for the past 23 years has played the major festivals, toured Europe, and developed a remarkable repertoire of original music. The Passengers are also noted for the remarkable array of singers who have worked with them: Elvis Costello, Jimmy Scott, Jeff Buckley, and Deborah Harry, who is now a full-time member of the band. As a musician, Nathanson has played with Charles Earland, The Lounge Lizards, Steve Lacy, Marc Ribot, and The Shirelles; he and pianist Anthony Coleman also perform and record as a duo. Nathanson is the composer of theatrical and radio musicals, songs, string quartets and musical settings for his own poetry; songs for Robert Altman's film Short Cuts; and a number of film scores. As an actor, Nathanson has appeared in films by Jim Jarmusch, Elaine May, and Chantal Akerman, and in various NY theater productions. His most recent recordings include Subway Moon on Enja Records and the forthcoming CD The Jazz Passengers Reunited with Elvis Costello and Deborah Harry on Justin Time Records.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 7:30 pm
301 Philosophy Hall, Columbia University Morningside Campus
Free and open to the public
Roy Nathanson is a composer, saxophonist, songwriter, poet, actor, and teacher. He is the leader and principal composer of the Jazz Passengers, a band that for the past 23 years has played the major festivals, toured Europe, and developed a remarkable repertoire of original music. The Passengers are also noted for the remarkable array of singers who have worked with them: Elvis Costello, Jimmy Scott, Jeff Buckley, and Deborah Harry, who is now a full-time member of the band. As a musician, Nathanson has played with Charles Earland, The Lounge Lizards, Steve Lacy, Marc Ribot, and The Shirelles; he and pianist Anthony Coleman also perform and record as a duo. Nathanson is the composer of theatrical and radio musicals, songs, string quartets and musical settings for his own poetry; songs for Robert Altman's film Short Cuts; and a number of film scores. As an actor, Nathanson has appeared in films by Jim Jarmusch, Elaine May, and Chantal Akerman, and in various NY theater productions. His most recent recordings include Subway Moon on Enja Records and the forthcoming CD The Jazz Passengers Reunited with Elvis Costello and Deborah Harry on Justin Time Records.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 7:30 pm
301 Philosophy Hall, Columbia University Morningside Campus
Free and open to the public
