Join the Creative Opportunity Orchestra as we present The 7th Annual NEW JAZZ Series: Off the Edge of the Page – an exploration of music and verse. Featuring a wide variety of Austin’s best musicians, as well as a wonderful array of food and drink, this year’s NEW JAZZ Series focuses on the blending of prose, poetry and music
.
Event Listings
Saturday, June 7, beginning at 4 pm
The Off Center (2211 Hidalgo St)

4-6pm
‘ReSounding Words’
This set begins with our first exploration into music and verse, led by longtime CO2 member John Mills. Passing the poetic imagination through the prism of new musical structure, sound, and texture, ‘ReSounding Words’ will also feature composer Stephen Barber and the poetry of Kim Christoff, Judith Austin Mills, and Robert Creeley.

An international panel of judges named John Mills the winner of the ArtEZ Composition Contest for his recent work for big band, If Memory Serves. The competition was hosted by the Millenium Jazz Orchestra at the Grolsch International Jazz Festival – Enschede, the Netherlands.

‘ReSounding Words’ will close with a performance by Atash, one of Austin’s premier world music ensembles. Atash’s music, led by vocalist Mohammad Firoozi, will be based on the writing of the great Sufi poet Rumi.

“(Atash features) curvaceous Indian-Middle Eastern melodies … Addictive percussive rhythms … Delightfully seamless infusion of Western jazz, rock, and classical music traditions … Mohammad Firoozi's (vocals are) captivating” Belinda Acosta, Austin Chronicle

6-8pm
Join the musicians for a light summer dinner provided by Ararat, one of Austin’s best Middle Eastern restaurants. Served alfresco, this lovely 3-course meal (starter, entrée, and dessert) will please both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Entrees include Mansaf (slow roasted, spiced lamb) or Sweet Potato Chole (a rich, homestyle chickpea stew). Only 50 places available so get your seat soon! Also available from Ararat will be wraps, sweets, teas, and other snacks. Email creop@texas.net or call 512.448.3485 for reservations.

8-10pm
Vocalist Tina Marsh & woodwinds player Alex Coke begin the evening with a free-flowing set of adventurous settings of music, poetry, visuals and surprise guests.

The evening closes with a performance by special guest artist pianist Diane Moser from NY, performing her piece Music for the Last Flower, which was commissioned through CMA/Doris Duke’s New Works Program in 2004. This quintet will feature Moser on piano, and longtime CO2 collaborator from New York bassist Ken Filiano, John Mills, Brian Allen, Dave Colvin.

About Diane Moser’s Music for the Last Flower
Inspired by James Thurber’s The Last Flower, Moser’s six-movement suite blends jazz, blues, world, and modern chamber styles. The Last Flower is a story about fascism, the use of the atomic bomb and the probable consequences, but it also offers an alternative to war and hope for world peace. (The music will be preceded by a brief movie of the book made by Backpack Picnic creator Rene Pinnell.)


Friday, June 13, 7:30pm – Laguna Gloria Amphitheatre (3809 West 35th St.)
The Creative Opportunity Orchestra, Austin’s premier jazz orchestra, is back for their much-loved annual performance at the beautiful Laguna Gloria. This concert features the premiere of pianist Bob Rodriguez’ new composition, commissioned through the Chamber Music America/Doris Duke New Works Program. (This piece will also be performed at Roulette in New York in October of this year).

The ethereal and heady sounds of the Creative Opportunity Orchestra’s compositions are only enhanced by the stunning backdrop of the lagoon and the gorgeous natural surroundings of Laguna Gloria. Don’t miss your chance to attend one of Austin’s most beloved annual jazz events!


Ticket Information

Entire Series Package (Entry to all shows) $55
June 7 Package (Entry to all June 7 shows) $40
June 7 – 4-6pm $8
June 7: 6-8pm (3-Course Meal) $25
June 7: 8-10pm $15 General Admission; $12 Students, Seniors, Artists; $6 Children 12 and under Students
June 13 (Creative Opportunity Orchestra $18 General Admission; $15 Students, Seniors, Artists; $8 Children 12 and under


FOR TICKET INFO & OTHER INQUIRIES: visit www.creop.org or call 512.448.3485 or email creop@texas.net