It's a fairly audacious idea for a cello octet to interpret the music of jazz icons such as bassist Charles Mingus, trumpeter Miles Davis and saxophonist Ornette Coleman, never mind the Mahavishnu Orchestra, but clearly, as seen on the compelling Meeting of the Spirits, cellist Matt Haimovitz loves a challenge.
After two dozen albums, Haimovitz, in close collaboration with arranger/composer David Sanford, has turned his attention to the jazz world, putting his octet Uccello through the paces with the additional collaboration of guitarist John McLaughlin, drummer Matt Wilson and keyboardist Jan Jarczyck, who bring their improvisational weight to Sanford's challenging arrangements. With extensive airplay on both classical and college jazz radio stations and a recent Grammy nomination attesting to the crossover appeal of Meeting of the Spirits, Haimovitz continues to break down the traditional barriers which surround both jazz and classical to varying degrees. Whether performing in the world's greatest concert halls, New York's legendary punk/hardcore venue CBGB, or Austin's SXSW festival, Haimovitz's aim is the same—to invite his audience to enter the music without prejudice.
Ian Patterson spoke with Haimovitz recently, about interpreting the high octane music of Mahavishnu Orchestra with his Uccello—employing, at times, as many as six cellos, struggling to break down conventions in the classical world, and the inherent flexibility and sonic possibilities of his chosen instrument.
Check out Matt Haimovitz: Celebrating the Connection Between Music, at All About Jazz today!
After two dozen albums, Haimovitz, in close collaboration with arranger/composer David Sanford, has turned his attention to the jazz world, putting his octet Uccello through the paces with the additional collaboration of guitarist John McLaughlin, drummer Matt Wilson and keyboardist Jan Jarczyck, who bring their improvisational weight to Sanford's challenging arrangements. With extensive airplay on both classical and college jazz radio stations and a recent Grammy nomination attesting to the crossover appeal of Meeting of the Spirits, Haimovitz continues to break down the traditional barriers which surround both jazz and classical to varying degrees. Whether performing in the world's greatest concert halls, New York's legendary punk/hardcore venue CBGB, or Austin's SXSW festival, Haimovitz's aim is the same—to invite his audience to enter the music without prejudice.
Ian Patterson spoke with Haimovitz recently, about interpreting the high octane music of Mahavishnu Orchestra with his Uccello—employing, at times, as many as six cellos, struggling to break down conventions in the classical world, and the inherent flexibility and sonic possibilities of his chosen instrument.
Check out Matt Haimovitz: Celebrating the Connection Between Music, at All About Jazz today!
For more information contact All About Jazz.
