A treasured Bay Area ensemble whose connection to SFJAZZ goes back to the second Jazz in the City festival in 1984, the Rova Saxophone Quartet has consistently explored the fertile territory at the edges of composition and improvisation. In a reprise of their 2005 performance celebrating the 40th anniversary of John Coltrane’s ecstatic masterpiece Ascension, Rova revisits their electrified re-imagining of the work with a number of guests artists including bassist Fred Frith and drummer Don Robinson, who performed on that momentous occasion eleven years ago, as well as harpist Zeena Parkins and guitarist Trey Spruance. Rova’s 2005 live recording documenting the piece, Electric Ascension, was called a “great triumph” by All About Jazz, and was listed by The Penguin Guide to Jazz as part of their “Core Collection” of essential albums. The other half of the evening pays homage to the late cornetist, composer, and conductor Lawrence “Butch” Morris in a program called No Favorites. Arranged for a lineup including Rova, a “power trio” of electric guitar, electric bass, and drums, and a string quartet, No Favorites pays homage to Morris’ adventurous spirit and his signature style of “conduction,” a term he coined to describe his combination of conducting, cueing, and improvisation. Rova’s new release dedicated to No Favorites will be released in October 2016 on New World Records.
ARTIST PERSONNEL
ELECTRIC ASCENSION
Bruce Ackley soprano saxophone
Steve Adams alto saxophone
Larry Ochs tenor saxophone
Jon Raskin baritone saxophone
with
Ava Mendoza electric guitar
Trey Spruance electric guitar
Darren Johnston trumpet
Tom Djll trumpet, electronics
Zeena Parkins electric harp
Fred Frith electric bass
Donald Robinson drums
Gino Robair electronics
NO FAVORITES
Bruce Ackley soprano saxophone
Steve Adams alto saxophone
Larry Ochs tenor saxophone
Jon Raskin baritone saxophone
with
John Schott electric guitar
Tara Flandreau viola
Christina Stanley violin
Alex Kelly cello
Scott Walton acoustic bass
Jason Hoopes electric bass
Jordan Glenn drums
Gino Robair conductor
SF Jazz- 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102