Whirrr! The Music of Jimmy Giuffre

Joel Harrison, George Schuller and members of distinguished group will perform rarely heard gems from Giuffre's canon both in a sextet and in smaller units. Giuffre, who died in April 2008, was an inspiration as a player and composer. As a clarinetist and saxophonist, he charted new directions in "chamber jazz," in groups with Jim Hall, Bob Brookmeyer, Paul Bley and Steve Swallow, etc. Harrison first connected with Giuffre's music in the San Francisco Bay Area where he had a tribute band in the 1990's. Schuller connected with Giuffre both in person and through the documentary he made on the Music Inn...the famed Berkshires summer venue that operated the School of Jazz during the late 1950's...where Giuffre experienced a life-changing epiphany when he heard Ornette Coleman for the first time. Harrison, Schuller, and Ohad Talmor will arrange pieces such as Whirrr, Swamp People, Phoenix, Threewe, and Jesus Maria (Carla Bley). Some of this music has not been performed in over 40 years. All of the performers have deep associations with the so-called "chamber jazz" including Cameron Brown who actually played with Giuffre a few times in the 70's.

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