The reality is that all music has been happening in "new formations" lately. Musicians all over the world are collaborating remotely, making videos and recordings with musicians they might not have otherwise worked with, in groups they might not have otherwise played with. Michigan Tech jazz students can relate. After a concert recorded remotely spring of 2019, these musicians wanted to find a way to rehearse and perform in person. Slit masks for mouthpiece access and bell covers that boast "MTU Jazz" have allowed them that opportunity.
More importantly, each big band was split into multiple bands to form smaller sized groups. This has offered the opportunity to explore the fun, danceable, and singable New Orleans brass band styles both past and present, as well as octet music composed by tenor saxophonist Benny Golson for his friend Dizzy Gillespie in 1957.
MTU's premier jazz ensemble, the Jazz Lab Band, will perform Miles Davis' iconic Birth Of The Cool album, originally written for 9 musicians. The performance will feature every member of the Lab Band rotating in and out of the line-up. The concert will happen live and in real time both nights of the Rozsa's usually close and cozy backstage jazz concert series.
One thing that quarantine has made clear is that musicians need an audience. The show will be broadcast live, and it will have the energy of a live performance without having an in-person audience. The Rozsa Center invites you to join via live stream.
Stream on the Rozsa event page by clicking on the "View/Stream" button, or for a more interactive experience, visit the Rozsa facebook page and look for the Jazz in New Formations livestream.
