Quartet of Happiness
Quartet of Happiness takes modern jazz and infuses it with a hefty dose of cheekiness and irreverent humor, wrapping it all up in the sort of theatrics reminiscent of Blue Man Group. The group has made it its mission to take jazz out of the ivory tower and make it accessible to a wide-ranging audience. Playing games, wearing costumes, and engaging the audience with their antics, the Quartet of Happiness’ performances are at times reminiscent of a cross between an improv comedy show and a theater of the bizarre. It’s part jazz, part performance art, and all of it the child of insane wit.
Jay Foote's Ubuntu!
"[UBUNTU!] sank its tentacles deep into my mind and would not let go for days on end...There is something of the corn-fed, open, friendly and slower-paced Midwestern outlook about the band, which, however, has been melded with a New York City eclecticism and intensity." – Budd Kopman, Allaboutjazz.com
UBUNTU! is a five-piece improvising ensemble that performs the music of bassist Jay Foote. The band has performed in the Midwest and all over the East Coast --- most notably performing at the Iowa City Jazz Festival in 2006, Boston's Zeitgeist Gallery and the Knitting Factory in NYC. The band's debut self-titled recording was selected by Budd Kopman as one of the Best of 2006 on Allaboutjazz.com. The band continues to perform in and around the New York City area and will be releasing their second album in the summer of 2007.
Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra
The Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra (AIJO) is a full big band based in Boston that has recently performed with Bob Brookmeyer, George Garzone, Joe Lovano and Frank Tiberi at venues such as the Berklee Performance Center, The Zeitgeist Gallery/Lily Pad, the Western Front Club and Jazz at Lincoln Center Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in NYC. The ensemble performs originals and arrangements of Ayn Inserto, who is highly influenced by Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider and Jim McNeely. The jazz orchestra recently finished a recording with Bob Brookmeyer and George Garzone. Ms. Inserto thrives to make her music swing with a modern twist and her orchestra will not fail to produce a thrilling performance.