JAZZ FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING

NEXUS Jazz Festival Program
Jazz (jaz), n. 1. Music. a. A style of music, characterized by melodious themes, subtly syncopated dance rhythms, and varied coloring. b. A name for the 20th- century style in music which came to be distinguished from its predecessors, Ragtime and Blues. c. A musical form which originated in North America and which is derived from the rhythmic complexities of African music. d. A type of music in which spontaneous creation (improvisation) is employed in order to communicate feelings with a direct and immediate impact on the listener.

NEXUS (nek’sus), n. 1. Musical Ensemble. a. A musical ensemble with a world-wide reputation for music characterized by melodious themes, subtly syncopated dance rhythms, and varied coloring. b. An ensemble which performs a highly dynamic and technically complex style in music from the 2nd and 3rd decades of the 20th-century called “Novelty Ragtime” which came to be distinguished from its predecessors, Ragtime and Blues. c. A North American percussion-based ensemble which performs music derived directly from the rhythmic complexities of traditional west African drum ensembles. d. An ensemble that for over three decades has been universally recognized for its spontaneous creation (improvisation) of music in order to communicate feelings with a direct and immediate impact on listeners.

Performances by NEXUS may also be in collaboration with the following great instrumentalists:

1) Paul Horn – flute, saxophone
2) Steve Gadd – drums
3) Peter Erskine – drums
4) David Darling – cello
5) Tony Levin – stick/bass