Chicago Tribune, 1.25.11: “The Sprit of Studs Terkel Expressed in Jazz”
NPR Music, 5.12.11: “Moshier-Lebrun Collective presents ‘Touch and Go,’ live at the Jazz Showcase”
Touch and Go: A jazz suite inspired by the writing of Studs Terkel
Josh Moshier, composer
Commissioned by New Jazz Works
Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
Performed by The Moshier/Lebrun Collective
Josh Moshier, piano
Mike Lebrun, tenor saxophone
John Moulder, guitar
John Tate, double-bass
Jon Deitemyer, drums
CONCEPT
This new work is inspired by the writing of Studs Terkel, the Chicago historian, author and eclectic disc jockey who was best known for documenting the oral histories of ordinary people. Using the song as a metaphor for the documention of oral history, composer Josh Moshier has created an extended piece comprised of five songs that are linked by common melodies and open improvisational regions. The end result is a musical assemblage celebrating common humanity in light of the diversity of individual identities.
CONCERT PROPOSAL
The Moshier/Lebrun Collective will open with a 30-40 min set of compositions by Josh Moshier and Mike Lebrun. A guest speaker will introduce the New Jazz Works commission, and the following work will run approximately 25 minutes.
ABOUT NEW JAZZ WORKS
Through the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works program supports the creation and performance of new works by professional U. S. jazz ensembles. In 2009 the Moshier/Lebrun Collective was one of 12 ensembles to be awarded the New Jazz Works grant, and the sole Chicago recipient. Other Chicagoans to win the award in past years are Ryan Cohan and Geof Bradfield.
ABOUT THE MOSHIER/LEBRUN COLLECTIVE
Josh Moshier and Mike Lebrun formed their group in 2007 out of a shared vision for creating song-driven jazz for millennial listeners. Their group has given multiple performances at The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club and Uncommon Ground, as well as concerts in Washington D.C., New York City and San Francisco. OA2 Records released their debut recording Joy Not Jaded in 2009, featuring Lebrun’s song “Jambo” (Winner: Best Small Group Composition at the 2008 Jazz Composers Symposium) and Moshier’s song “King’s Road” (Winner: 2010 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award).
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
JOSH MOSHIER, PIANO Josh studied piano and composition at Northwestern University, where he met Mike Lebrun. Josh directs the Wheaton College Jazz Ensemble and is a member of the Chicago Jazz Composers Collective.
MIKE LEBRUN, TENOR SAXOPHONE An award-winning improviser and composer, Mike has performed with Jeff Hedberg’s C11, Alan Gresik’s Swing Shift Orchestra, Guster and The Temptations.
JOHN MOULDER, GUITAR Hailed by the Chicago Tribune for his “scorched-earth solos,” John Moulder is a veteran of the Chicago scene and a regular collaborator with drummer Paul Wertico. His latest release is Bifrost on Origin Records, acclaimed as a top jazz record of 2009.
JOHN TATE, BASS Backing leading jazz artists Fareed Haque, Steve Coleman, Dan Trudell and Von Freeman, John Tate is a player with soul, fire and groove.
JON DEITEMYER, DRUMS With a résumé including tours with Zach Brock, Grazyna Augusik and Kurt Rosenwinkle, Jon powers the Chicago original music scene with bands such as Ryan Cohan’s Sextet, Patricia Barber, Information Superhighway, Nia Quintet and Matt Ulery’s Loom.
STREAMING AND EMBEDABLE AUDIO
www.soundcloud.com/mobrun
SPONSORSHIP/PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT
CHAMBER MUSIC AMERICA
WDCB JAZZ RADIO
OA2 RECORDS
PRESS
CBS 2 Chicago: Studs Terkel’s Life Inspires Jazz Composition
Daily Herald: St. Charles native jazzed up about music career
All About Jazz: “Joy Not Jaded” Album Review
CONTACT
Josh Moshier • 630.779.4207
jmoshiermusic [at] gmail.com • www.jmoshiermusic.com
PRESS PHOTOS
(click to enlarge)
(Left to right: Josh Moshier, Mike Lebrun)
(Left to right: Josh Moshier, John Tate, John Moulder, Mike Lebrun, Jon Deitemyer)
Just love the concept of this work – and chamber music in a Jazz context is the
ultimate. Thank you.