November 28, 2011

ImprovICEing: Words from The New York City Jazz Record

A review of our recent Composer Portrait of George Lewis by Kurt Gottschalk appears in this month's edition of The New York City Jazz Record.

On the subject of our performance of Lewis' improv-incorporating work, Artificial Life: "'Artificial Life' (2007) was a structured improvisation with perimeters given to the players. Peter Evans seized the situation, finding a five-note phrase and repeating it to exhaustion on pocket trumpet, but the performance was about group communication...'Artificial Life' was a wonderful setting for improvisers but this was Lewis’ achievement as a composer"

On Lewis' new work for ICE, Will To Adorn: "Bold orchestral sections and percussive passages were interspersed with soft, exquisite refrains in an easy flow of disparate elements."

Read the full article here.

Also, if you are anywhere near the Chicago area, don't miss your chance to hear music and words from the Chitown native, musical pioneer, and MacArthur "Genius" at ICElab InFormation on Saturday, December 3rd at the MCA.