The Jazz Program
Beyond Recall: The Progressive Tradition in Jazz
Beyond Recall: The Progressive Tradition in Jazz is the 2002-03 Jazz Artist Residency honoring guest artists Dave Douglas, Roswell Rudd and Charlie Kohlhase, with the Harvard Jazz Band, supported in part by the Richard J. Scheuer, Jr. Fund.
The visiting artists are not only acclaimed as performers, but each has also developed a unique style, technique, and repertoire of expression. The purpose of the residency is to explore the interweaving of composition and improvisation that each achieves as soloists and also through group improvisation, and on different instruments. We hope the presence of these three artists will show students new ways of blurring the line between composition and improvisation and ask the question "As composers, how do you allow for or anticipate someone improvising on your creation?"
Visiting Artists:
New York-based trumpeter/composer Dave Douglas 
made
his solo recording debut in 1993. With a strong background in jazz, he
persistently questions the boundaries of genre and reexamines assumptions
about music with each new project. The diversity of his influences are
reflected in the music he writes for his ensembles: Charms of the Night
Sky, the Tiny Bell Trio, Parallel Worlds (the String Group), a jazz Quartet
and Sextet, the electric octet Sanctuary, Witness, the Dave Douglas New
Quintet. More recent projects explore the meeting points of improvisation
and electronic music. He is also fascinated by the connections of music
to other art forms, including dance, video and film. He has been cited
as jazz artist of the year by such organizations as the New York Jazz
Awards, Down Beat, Jazz Times, Jazziz and the Italian Jazz Critics' Society.
His 'El Trilogy,' collaboration with choreographer Trisha Brown premiered
at the American Dance Festival in 2000. His two pieces for orchestra were
premiered in Cologne in April, 2002. Find out more about Dave
Douglas.
Trombonist/composer Roswell Rudd powerfully incorporates "free jazz" with the roots of blues and New Orleans traditions to create a wholly integrated and original expression. The New York Times has described Rudd as "a trombonist of such sweeping power and majesty that he transcends all styles" (John Wilson). Mr. Rudd is returning to Harvard, having been a featured guest artist in 1994 in a project honoring Steve Lacy, his long-time collaborator. Find out more about Roswell Rudd.
Charlie Kohlhase plays alto, baritone, and tenor saxophone. He is an anchor of new music performance in Boston, working especially with composer/improvisational ensembles. While continuing to support this city's scene, Kohlhase has evolved as a leader who showcases some of those who have influenced him, including sixties innovator/leaders of new music Roswell Rudd, John Tchicai, and Sonny Simmons. He joined Either/ Orchestra in 1987 and formed the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet in 1989.
Jazz Concert 2002: Mood Crimson
Visit the Harvard Jazz Band website.
