As Bea Willis wrote in 5FingerReview- “What makes this version so special, is the leap forward into the under-charted territory of jazz, adding the imagination of The results are four highly original and diverse works that showcase the exceptional compositional and performing talents of NEJE’s members. To round out the CD, NEJE commissioned composer/arrangers John Mastroianni and Jeff Holmes to create new works inspired by the story of Peter and the Wolf. The result is an engaging rendition, steeped in jazz excellence and traditions while simultaneously appealing to the novice listener. Soloists to improvise and expand the personality of each character. The jazz version is true to the goals of the original work but also provides ample opportunity for the group’s capable Whereas most incarnations of the work stick to the original script, the NEJE has taken another leap of creativity, engaging internationally-known jazz vocalist Giacomo Gates to create a hipster version of the narrative, which he delivers most captivatingly. Using over a dozen jazz styles to convey the 36-minute story, Gwardyak recruits various sections of the jazz ensemble or individual instruments to represent the story’s characters. It is the first big-band version of Peter and the Wolf in more than 50 years, and the first-ever with an original “hip” libretto, which was created and is narrated by vocalist Giacomo Gates. The main difference between the two projects is that Peter and the Wolf features the band’s own completely reimagined version of the full Prokofiev score, by arranger and NEJE music director and pianist Walter Gwardyak. NEJE’s Capstone Jazz Project Creative ApproachĬonceived several years ago and released in April of this year, the jazz Peter and the Wolf project was born on the heels of the group’s success with recording and performing the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Tickets are general admission for $10 and will be available at the door on the evening of the concert. The concert begins at 7:30pm, at the Roberts Theater Center, which is located on the grounds of the Kingswood Oxford School (170 Kingswood Street). Release Bloomfield, CT - The New England Jazz Ensemble announced today that it will perform a CD release concert of the big band’s reinterpretation of Prokofiev’s iconic Peter and the Wolf on Thursday October 25, in West Hartford, Connecticut. New England Jazz Ensemble Celebrates CD Release of Peter and the Wolf with Concert on October 25Ĭalled “the Definitive Jazz Rendition” of Prokofiev Classic,

Neje club