SFJAZZ Collective

IMN representation: Europe

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2010 Lineup
Mark Turner, Saxophones
Miguel Zenón, Alto saxophone, flute
Avishai Cohen, Trumpet
Robin Eubanks, Trombone
Stefon Harris, Vibes & marimba
Edward Simon, Piano
Matt Penman, Bass
Eric Harland, Drums

Given the extraordinary talent assembled in the SFJAZZ Collective – eight of the most accomplished and acclaimed musicians in jazz today – it is tempting, on first glance, to think of this ensemble as an “all-star band” pure and simple. But as the “Collective” portion of the group’s name suggests, these exceptional artists have come together in pursuit of a larger purpose – namely, the celebration of jazz as a constantly evolving, ever-relevant, quintessentially modern art form.

The group annually divides its repertoire between new works written by the Collective’s members and new octet arrangements of compositions by a modern jazz master – to date Ornette Coleman (2004), John Coltrane (2005), Herbie Hancock (2006), Thelonious Monk (2007), Wayne Shorter (2008), and McCoy Tyner (2009). For 2010, the Collective takes on hard-bop composer and pianist Horace Silver. The co-founder of the Jazz Messengers (with Art Blakey), and the leader on countless classic Blue Note sessions, Silver stands as one of the singular voices in jazz history.

The Collective is distinguished not just by degree, but diversity of talent: each member is a celebrated instrumentalist, an outstanding composer and arranger, and most are among today’s most lauded bandleaders. For 2010, the front line of horns includes two new Collective members: Mark Turner, one of the most in-demand young saxophonists on the New York scene, and rising star Israeli trumpeter Avishai Cohen. They are joined by founding member Miguel Zenón, recent recipient of the 2008 MacArthur Foundation “Genius Award” and trombonist Robin Eubanks, a two-time DownBeat “Trombonist of the Year.” A member of the band since 2007, Stefon Harris is widely considered the finest vibraphonist of his generation.
The incendiary Collective rhythm section boasts founding member and renowned recording artist Renee Rosnes on piano, plus two other Collective veterans: Matt Penman, an acclaimed bassist with a prolific recording and touring profile; and drummer Eric Harland, famed for his work with Charles Lloyd and McCoy Tyner, among other legends. All told, the SFJAZZ Collective is truly one of the world’s great working bands.

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REVIEWS

Sheer, out-of-the-box musicality… revealed the joys and complexities of free improvising
The Los Angeles Times

The group was roaring with the kind of chemistry that could truly be deemed collective
San Francisco Chronicle

The best overall live jazz set this writer has heard in the NewMillennium
All About Jazz

These musicians are among the most in-demand out there
The New York Times

An extraordinarily high level of musicianship throughout
Boston Globe