KlezCalendar

Rediscover the swinging film music of the legendary Marx Brothers movies with Klezmatic's reedman Matt Darriau's Ballin' the Jack. Bestowing the solos of Harpo and Chico with an avant flavor sure to make the brothers smile, their Joe’s Pub performance will feature special guest Roy Nathanson from the Jazz Passengers as MC, saxophonist and Groucho interpreter. Also with charts by band members Andy Laster on baritone sax and clarinet, Frank London on trumpet, Curtis Hasselbring on trombone, Anthony Coleman on keyboard and piano, bassist Joe Fitzgerald and George Schuller on drums.

Ballin' the Jack will also premiere a new work by Darriau, commissioned by Chamber Music America, further exploring the ensemble's interest in the roots of jazz from the American south. The new work is a multi-part suite of pieces, reinterpreting the highly expressive and unusual instrumental forms and textures of early jazz, work song and blues while allowing for new structures and contemporary improvisation. A brilliant blend of early Ellington, Jellyroll Morton, New Orleans brass bands and Creole sounds Matt Darriau and Ballin' the Jack remind us why they have become an integral part of the downtown and European jazz scenes.

"Ballin' The Jack revives these swing tunes in an ultra-modern way that makes them seem like they were just written.... A strong candidate for Jazz CD of the Year" -- All-Music Guide