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Ark Ovrutski
Since moving to NYC in 2005, Ark Ovrutski has had a busy career free-lancing with many of the great jazz musicians from many generations, including: Curtis Fuller, Carmen Lundy, Mark Soskin, Steve Williams, Larry Willis, Javon Jackson, JD Walter, Duduka da Fonseca, Patience Higgins,Gerald Hayes, Michael Borstlap, Cynthia Scott, Jim Rotondi ,Will Boulware, Donald Edwards, James Spaulding. In 2007 Ark began work on his Masters degree in music at Rutgers University in New Jersey, studying with bassist Mike Richmond, drummer Victor Lewis and pianist Stanley Cowell, among others. Veteran bassist Bob Cranshaw advised him to go for a doctorate, which he’s done at University of Illinois. Taking the most ambitious big band compositions of Charles Mingus as his doctoral project, Ark has received his DMA. As a life-long component of the Eastern Europe and NYC music community, Ark has always returned to his roots regardless of where his musical endeavors have taken him abroad.His recording project titled by the Ark Ovrutski Quintet “Sounds of Brazil” (2010) featuring Grammy drummer Duduka Da Fonseca, piano player Helio Alves and two great flute and sax players Craig Handy and Jorge Continetino performed a unique blend of different styles of jazz, Brazilian grooves, original melodies and contemporary arrangements. This album was highly estimated and Ark was invited to play with this program to Dizzi Coca Coca jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC in April 2011.Ark’s album 44:33 (2014) featuring Mike Dease and Ulysses Owens released on the recording label ZOHO. This CD was nominated by DOWNBEAT in the section PLAYERS in June 2014 and got a lot of positive feedback.The latest Ark’s venture is the newest CD “Intersection”(2016) featuring Michael Dease and Grammy drummer Duduka Da Fonseca recorded in May 2015 and is out in January 2016 on the recording label ORIGIN.
Awards
The Pee Wee Russell Memorial Scholarship 2009 Doctor of Music Arts Schorlarship of University of Illinois 2011
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Ark Ovrutski: 44/33
by Howard Mandel
Wherever a jazz musician starts their professional journey, he or she must come to grips with what one must do to create a personal approach based on technique, imagination and feeling. Composer and bassist Ark Ovrutski likes to say that since the age of 20 he has been an “international homeless traveller." But with the release of 44/33, his third album as a leader, Ark proves he has arrived. With its program of bright melodies, tight ensemble collaboration, ...
Continue ReadingArk Ovrutski: Journey Moments
by Mike Jurkovic
In lineage with his previous releases--notably Sounds of Brasil (self produced, 2011) and Intersection (Origin, 2016))--bassist/band-leader/composer Ark Ovrutski's fourth release Journey Moments is a tightly wound, expertly realized collection of five originals and four like-minded covers that nudge Ovrutski closer to the upper ranks of today's jazz. Journey Moments creates an overall sense of time and place, how we move from one moment to the next, interpreting our lives in the quieter moments. Launching with the loose-limbed rhythms ...
Continue ReadingArk Ovrutski: Journey Moments
by Dan Bilawsky
In listening to this music, each song, solo, and split-second decision can be defined as a journey moment. Every single one, large or small, plays as a parallel or reflection of life's rich travels, bringing to light thoughts and emotions both firm and fleeting in nature. And in the sum total of them all, where action, reaction, and interaction play the role of viewfinders for those on the receiving end, truths of a varied sort emerge. Journey ...
Continue ReadingArk Ovrutski: Intersection
by Dan Bilawsky
Ukrainian bassist Ark Ovrutski arrived on American soil just over a decade ago, and he's been rather busy ever since. A nonstop go-getter from his earliest days, Ovrutski immediately made the most out of that move, steadily working his way into the ultra-competitive New York jazz scene and seeking out opportunities to further his playing and knowledge in formal academic settings and informal environments. Now, with a full gigging schedule, a doctorate from the University of Illinois, and some notable ...
Continue ReadingArk Ovrutski: Sounds Of Brasil
by Dan Bilawsky
What does a Ukrainian-born bassist, who spent the first four decades of his life based primarily in Eastern Europe, know about Brazilian music? This skepticism-filled question might run through the minds of people who hear of bassist Ark Ovrutski's background, but the music on Sounds Of Brasil will instantly squelch any doubt about his skills in this musical arena. Since moving to the United States in 2005, Ovrutski has had the opportunity to work with the crème ...
Continue ReadingTake Five With Ark Ovrutski
by AAJ Staff
Meet Ark Ovrutski:Ark started building his career in Kiev,Ukraine. By the time he graduated Kiev music college and moved to Moscow where he graduated Russian Academy of music in 1992. In the mid-1990s, Ark left Moscow and relocated to Poland, where he became highly-regarded through performances in multiple groups. From then, Ark's performance and recording credits include Zbiegniew Namyslowski, Piotr Baron,Piotr Wojtasik, Joachim Mencel, Adam Pieronczyk, Kazimerz Jonkisz In 2002, Ark independently released New Age, his debut recording ...
Continue ReadingSpotlight: Sounds of Brasil, Ark Ovrutski Quintet
Source:
The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz
The Spotlight Series highlights upcoming Latin Jazz musicians that have yet to reach national recognition. Many of these musicians thrive in local scenes and some tour in support of releases. All these musicians contribute greatly to the overall Latin Jazz scene, and they deserve our “spotlighted" attention. Sounds of Brasil Ark Ovrutski Quintet The world is filled with cultural connections; sometimes they simply need a little urging to become obvious. History is filled with exchanges between different countries ...
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“Sounds Of Brasil is a unique blend of contemporary arrangements and original melodies in various different styles of jazz with Brazilian grooves.” – Russ Musto-All about Jazz ““44:33” … performs program of bright melodies, tight ensemble collaboration, individualized solos and firm underlying swing. 44:33 – titled for its running time — is an expression of accomplishment and direction from a coterie of players, instigated by a well informed, thoroughly engaged leader.” – Howard Mandel-Downbeat “Matching the brio and inventiveness of modern jazz with strong melodies and brilliant ensemble interplay, Ovrutski creates a major “time to take notice” statement on 44:33.” – Thomas Staudter-Downbeat
Primary Instrument
Bass, acoustic
Location
New York City
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
TA at Mason Gross School of Art 2009-2010. ISYM Faculty University of Illinois 2013
Clinic/Workshop Information
Was running Jazz clinics in Ukraine, 2006-2012
Photos
Music
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Ark Ovrutski
Location: New York City
Instrument: Bass, acoustic
Born: October 31, 1963
Publicist: Two for the Show Media
