The Either/Orchestra turns 25 on December 17, 2010!

Source: Michael Ricci
August 31, 2010
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For a quarter century, the Massachusetts-based ten-piece E/O has been exploring the borders of jazz, redefining what it means to be a “big band," expanding the palette of the jazz combo and building bridges between yesterday's jazz and tomorrow's.

Founder/leader

Russ Gershon

multi-instrumentalist
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Russ Gershon's background and sensibility intertwine jazz with decades of American popular music; the group's travels and collaborations traverse jazz and Ethiopian music; its international lineup creates a unique, organic pan-American Latin jazz sound. The group has evolved through many incarnations and first exposed to the public such future jazz luminaries as

Miguel Zenon

saxophone, alto
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Miguel Zenon,

John Medeski

organ, Hammond B3
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">John Medeski,

Matt Wilson

drums
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Wilson,

Josh Roseman

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Josh Roseman,

Jaleel Shaw

saxophone, alto
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaleel Shaw, Andrew D'Angleo, Mike Rivard and

Curtis Hasselbring

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Curtis Hasselbring.

Early in its career, in the 1980s and 90s, facing long odds against performing regularly with such a large band, the E/O adopted a grass roots approach to touring, launching itself on long van tours to bring its cutting-edge concept to small towns and big cities all over the US. Later, as opportunities grew, came visits to festivals and concert halls in nine countries of Europe, Russia, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Along the way, the group has released a series of critically acclaimed albums, including the Grammy-nominated Calculus of Pleasure (1992) and 2005's spectacularly well-received Ethiopiques 20: Live in Addis. Over the past decade the E/O has also become perhaps the world's most prominent non-Ethiopian exponent of Ethiopian music, collaborating with the top musicians of Ethiopia's golden era, the 1960's and 70s:

Mulatu Astatke (including anchoring Mulatu's recent Mulatu Steps Ahead CD), Mahmoud Ahmed, Getachew Mekurya and others. Travelling across decades, continents and genres, the method remains: take the band on a trip—and take the audience for a ride. Unlike many large ensembles, the E/O is very much a band, with steady membership and collective commitment. The reality of the entertainment business has made working bands scarce and precarious, yet E/O members average over ten years of tenure. The richness of the collaboration fills their music with trust, depth and a subtle kind of innovation. Over the years the band's diversity has grown; the current members' ages range from 20 to 56, and they hail from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico and around the US.

Highlights of the Anniversary Season (more to come!):

June: Russ Gershon & the Either/Orchestra are awarded a Chamber Music America “Jazz New Works and Ensemble Development" grant
August 10: Mood Music for Time Travellers available in stores and online
August: song video for “The (one of a kind) “Shimmy" will debut at thephoenix.com
September 4: The Chicago Jazz Festival, with special guests Getachew Mekurya and Teshome Mitiku
September 11: CD release party at the Regattabar in Cambridge MA
October [exact date TBA]: CD release party in NYC and other locations
December 17: Anniversary celebration, featuring alumni and guests, Boston area venue TBA
March 25, 2011: a concert with Ethiopian superstar Mahmoud Ahmed at Amherst College
May 2011: Ethiopian Music Festival in Addis Ababa: music of Armenian maestro Nerses Nalbandian
Spring 2011: Live album to be released

Personnel: Tom Halter, Dan Rosenthal: trumpets; Joel Yennior: trombone; Hailey Niswanger: alto sax, flute; Russ Gershon: tenor, soprano sax; Charlie Kohlhase: baritone sax; Rafael Alcala: piano, keys; Rick McLaughlin: bass; Pablo Bencid: drums; Vicente Lebron: congas, percussion.