April 18: New England Conservatory Jazz Orchestra Presents 'High Life: The Music Of Wayne Shorter'

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Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
April 12, 2024
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Performance features live concert premieres of rarely heard Shorter arrangements with NEC Jazz Studies Chair Carl Atkins, pianists Rachel Z and Ethan Iverson, and saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi.

Legendary jazz composer and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, who passed away on March 2, 2023, left a monumental artistic legacy. The NEC Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to Shorter with High Life: The Music of Wayne Shorter, the orchestra��s final concert of the season, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 in NEC��s Jordan Hall, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston.

Special guest Carl Atkins, founding director of NEC��s Afro-American Studies and Jazz Departments, and NEC Jazz Studies Co-Chair

Ken Schaphorst

composer / conductor
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Ken Schaphorst lead the orchestra in a program that includes live concert premieres of rarely heard arrangements by Shorter, premiere performances of new arrangements of works by Shorter and more. Special guest pianist

Rachel Z

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Rachel Z ��84, who performed and recorded with Shorter, as well as current faculty members

Jerry Bergonzi

saxophone, tenor
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Jerry Bergonzi and

Ethan Iverson

piano
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Ethan Iverson will perform.

Three pieces from Shorter��s High Life recording including the title track and ��Children of the Night,�� in arrangements heard for the first time in a live performance, as well as ��Midnight in Carlotta��s Hair�� will be performed by the NEC Jazz Orchestra with members of the NEC Philharmonia and Rachel Z. Also on the program are Shorter��s arrangements of ��Shere Khan, The Tiger�� and ��This is for Albert,�� as well as Carl Atkins��s arrangements of three Shorter classics, ��Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum,�� Speak No Evil�� and ��Yes and No.�� Iverson will be featured on the premiere performance of his new arrangement of Shorter��s ��The Chess Players,�� and Jerry Bergonzi will play on Ken Schaphorst��s new arrangement of Shorter��s ��Infant Eyes.��

Admission is free but tickets are required. More information can be found on NEC��s website. The concert will also be live-streamed to audiences worldwide.

About New England Conservatory (NEC)

Founded by Eben Tourj��e in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867, the New England Conservatory (NEC) represents a new model of music school that combines the best of European tradition with American innovation. The school stands at the center of Boston��s rich cultural history and musical life, presenting concerts at the renowned Jordan Hall. Propelled by profound artistry, bold creativity and deep compassion, NEC seeks to amplify musicians�� impact on advancing our shared humanity, and empowers students to meet today��s changing world head-on, equipped with the tools and confidence to forge multidimensional lives of artistic depth and relevance.

As an independent, not-for-profit institution that educates and trains musicians of all ages from around the world, NEC is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools. It cultivates a diverse, dynamic community, providing music students of more than 40 countries with performance opportunities and high-caliber training from 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of music-making and teaching through college-level training in classical, jazz and contemporary improvisation. Through unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships, it empowers students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC��s mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students and adults.

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For more information contact Braithwaite & Katz Communications.