Pianist/Composer Michele Rosewoman's New CD Set for October 3 Release

With the October 3, 2006 release of The In Side Out (Advance Dance Disques AD 0353)--Michele Rosewoman's first new recording since 2000 and the fifth with her ensemble Quintessence--the renowned pianist once again makes a powerful creative statement that showcases the breadth and depth or her musicality and affirms in no uncertain terms her position as one of the most original and innovative instrumentalists and composers on the current global jazz scene. Rosewoman is heard with a core quintet featuring the powerful front line of saxophonists Mark Shim and Miguel Zenon on some tracks, and Shim with guest guitarist Dave Fiuczynski on others. Further augmented with appearances by guests Josh Roseman on trombone and Pedro Pablo Martinez on percussion, the self-produced CD provides an up-to-the-moment portrait of where Rosewoman's music is now. As on her previous recordings for Blue Note, Soul Note, Enja, Evidence and Toshiba/EMI, she expands jazz's horizons while remaining firmly rooted in the music's illustrious tradition. Undoubtedly her most multi-faceted recording to date, The In Side Out morphs from acoustic modern jazz to sophisticated funk to dynamic electric fusion to ecstatic Afro-Cuban jazz and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the 20-year history of the ensemble.

Quintessence has always been acclaimed for the virtuosity and versatility of its members and the current edition is no exception. “Over the years, Quintessence personnel has evolved organically," Rosewoman said. “The four previous recordings featured a two- saxophone front line: Steve Coleman/Greg Osby, then Greg Osby/Gary Thomas, then Gary Thomas/Steve Wilson and then Steve Wilson/Craig Handy. This fifth recording is different in many ways. It's been six years since our last release and the musicians and instrumentation reflect a definitive evolution in the ensemble sound. The music's extremely diverse, ranging from the pocket and groove through the more conversational and energy-inspired ensemble sound, to spiritually based rhythmic and vocal traditions."

“The success of the Quintessence repertoire is very dependent upon my having musicians of like mind in the ensemble," Rosewoman explained. “Mark has worked with me for the past six years. His amazing sound, total lack of cliche, great musicality and collaborative nature have made him invaluable." Shim debuts on this recording both on MIDI wind controller and as the producer of three tracks. “You'll see a further sound and side to Mark many are unaware of--and his contributions in that capacity enabled me to present another side of what I'm into," she explained. “Miguel joins us with his unique phrasing and energy and serves as the link in instrumentation between the old and new sound of the ensemble while the inclusion of special guests has allowed me to present some of the new textures I'm hearing, through the use of tenor/guitar, alto/tenor/guitar, and alto/tenor/trombone. And it has also enabled me to present some of the idioms that I'm into that I haven't had a chance to record," Rosewoman continued. “Dave contributes a raw edge, groove and humor. Josh is on two tracks and I loved writing for the three voices (alto/tenor/bone) and his sound takes our sound elsewhere. Pedro brings his great musicality to two tracks, playing bata, congas, vocals and percussion. His presence and the use of overdubs enabled me to present material that would be ordinarily performed in my New Yor-Uba ensemble, of which he is a member. Over 25 years of knowing Olu Femi Mitchell and finally her unmistakable regal voice graces one of the tracks as well. Bassist Brad Jones and drummer Derrek Phillips comprise our rhythm section and provide a foundation for all expressions--from the groove stuff to the elaborate interplay of the more stretched out tracks. I treasure all of the musi-cians."

Ms. Rosewoman was born in Oakland, where she started playing piano at age six and studied jazz traditions with the great pianist/organist Ed Kelly. In her late teens she began playing percussion and studying Cuban/Haitian folkloric idioms. By the time she moved to New York in 1978, she had already performed at major venues in the San Francisco Bay Area with her own ensembles and with Julian Priester, Julius Hemphill, Baikida Carroll and Oliver Lake and other fellow jazz innovators. In New York Rosewoman formed new ensembles and continued to present her music while collaborating with Rufus Reid, Reggie Workman, Freddie Waits, James Spaulding, Billy Hart, Carlos Ward and others as well as with Cuban master drummer/vocalist, Orlando 'Puntilla' Rios, and other musicians in the folkloric community.

In 1983 she received an NEA grant to form the pioneering 14-piece ensemble “New Yor-Uba, A Musical Celebration of Cuba in America" that debuted at The Public Theater that December and appeared at festivals throughout Europe in 1984. That year she made her recording debut as pianist and arranger for the Cuban songo group, Los Kimy. Her experience as a percussionist continues to shape many aspects of her music. In the Latin music genre, Rosewoman has performed with Puntilla's “Nueva Generacion," Celia Cruz, Paquito D'Rivera, Daniel Ponce and Chocolate among others.

Rosewoman received the ASCAP/Meet the Composer Commission for Emerging Composers that year (awarded by Dizzy Gillespie, Marian McPartland and Lester Bowie) resulting in a new work performed by the 40-piece Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and a quintet of improvisers, including Rufus Reid, Greg Osby and Howard Johnson.

Rosewoman's recording debut as a leader, The Source (Soul Note /1984), was praised for its radiance and ingenuity. Quintessence (Enja/1987) was named by numerous critics and polls as one of the best jazz releases of the year and has been cited as one of the best jazz recordings of the 1980's. As Ms. Rosewoman established a reputation as one of the most ingenious and prolific bandleaders of her generation, DownBeat wrote, “She communicates assurance and ardor whether on the cutting edge of jazz or within the mainstream. What musicianship and moving expression! Bring on the future."

Since its debut in 1986 at the Cooper Union Great Hall in New York, Quintessence has been the main vehicle for Rosewoman's evolution as pianist, composer and bandleader. She assembled dy-namic bands to interpret her writing, and became known for bringing together musicians who today are some of the most inventive voices in jazz, including saxophonists Steve Coleman, Greg Osby, Gary Thomas, David Sanchez, Steve Wilson, Miguel Zenon and Mark Shim; bassists Kenny Davis, Anthony Cox and Lonnie Plaxico; and drummers Terri Lyne Carrington and Gene Jackson, among others. Many have cited the experience of playing in Quintessence as notably influential in their de-velopment as musicians, composers and bandleaders. Regarding Ms. Rosewoman's previous Quintessence release, Guardians of the Light (Enja/2000), an NPR review noted, “[She]sounds more than ever the confident master of her committed course. An indomitable modern jazz pianist, her singular sound ideas expand readily to her dark, fiery ensembles. So it all comes together, big, tight and flexible, rangy, spontaneous, serious and mysterious. Rosewoman and her band are jazz believers, jazz devotees, keepers of the flame."

Rosewoman and Quintessence received a Chamber Music America/Doris Duke Foundation New Works Creation and Presentation Commission in 2003. In 2006 they received one of the first Chamber Music America Encore Grants. Rosewoman's other recent activity includes conducting classes and workshops at the annual Montclair State Summer Jazz Workshop (Jazz Connections), a compo-sition department residency at Berklee College of Music, a six-country European tour with trombonist Robin Eubanks and a series of duo performances with Greg Osby.

Michele Rosewoman & Quintessence Fall 2006 Tour Dates:

Oct 22 - Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society / Half Moon Bay, CA
Oct 24 - Yoshi's Jazz Club & Restaurant / Oakland, CA
Oct 25 - The Earshot Jazz Festival / Seattle, WA
Oct 26 - The Jazz Bakery / Los Angeles, CA
Oct 28 - Dizzy's / San Diego, CA
Nov 09 - The Outpost / Albuquerque, NM