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Lifetime Visions Orchestra

About Me

THE LIFETIME VISIONS ORCHESTRA is a project to create and promote music and healing through the unique and positive music written and improvised by its extraordinary members. Shaku Joseph Jarman and Chris Chalfant lead the group. The Lvo's opening concert, on September 23, 2001, changed from a John Coltrane memorial to an inspiring September 11 memorial. The LVO has since opened for the 2002 Vision Festival in New York City and performed at the Nancy Pulsations Jazz Festival in France, and continues to perform peace and healing concerts. Our first CD, “Vision Festival 2002” is available under Jyaku Sound, a project of the Brooklyn Buddhist Association. The orchestra includes Shaku Joseph Jarman, woodwinds, Thomas Buckner, vocals, Chris, Chalfant, piano and vocals, Jessica Jones, tenor sax and flute, Tony Jones, Tenor sax, Mark Taylor, french horn, Steve Bernstein, trumpet, Steve Swell, trombone, Tomas Ulrich, cello, Michael Braudy, violin, Rob Garcia, drums, Ken Yamazaki, percussion, Ken Filiano, bass, and special guest, Richard Thomas, storyteller.

SHAKU JOSEPH JARMAN is cofounder of Chicago's famed AACM and the Art Ensemble of Chicago. He has performed, toured and recorded in all parts of the western world as well as in Japan, Africa and Eastern Europe. In 2001 he was invited by the Mayor of Chicago as an honored guest composer and performer, and to the Dogen Country in Mali by invitation of the French Consulate for a special project of music and art with Dogen artists and western artists. Jarman has been awarded numerous fellowships and grants, including the NEA, New York State Council the British Arts Council. In 1990 Mr. Jarman was ordained a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Priest and also holds the rank of Godan (5th degree) black belt in the martial art of Aikido. He is founder and director of the Jikishinkan Dojo and Brooklyn Buddhist Association.

CHRIS CHALFANT founded the Lifetime Visions Orchestra in 2001. She is a founding member of the Dojo Band and the Chris Chalfant trio, and was a long-time member of the Longy Improvisation Ensemble. Recently, she performed solo piano in the International Jazz Piano Festival in Prague and the Clubs Festival in Vienna. Other festivals include the Vision Festival, New York Jazz, Darmstadt, and the Leukerbad Composers Conference. She directed the American Women Composers Marathon and the Festival of Women Improvisors-Boston. Chalfant is a prolific composer and has written for many styles and genres. She was awarded a merit finalist in the Louisville national composers contest. Her most recent CD is “Love and Light”, including members of LVO. She also has organized many music and healing events.

Concert Information:

Lifetime Visions Orchestra, Sunday, February 22, 7PM, Jikishinkan Dojo, 211 Smith Street, Brooklyn, 718-488-9511, http:/www.directmind.com

Lifetime Visions Orchestra, Saturday, March 20, 3-5PM, Metropolitan AME Church, 58 135th St @ Lenox, Harlem, NY, 212-663-3564

Lifetime Visions Orchestra, April Sunday TBA, Jikishinkan Dojo, 211 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 718-488-9511, http:/www.directmind.com

Lifetime Visions Orchestra, Wednesday, May 19, 7-9PM Barbes, 376 9TH Street @ 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY http:/www.barbes.brooklyn.com