SFJAZZ Collective salutes Trayvon Martin

                                      Babbling in Hoodies

 SFJAZZ Collective salutes Trayvon Martin 4/1/2012           (Predicta Media)

Collective Wonder Production Update-Sunday 4/1.
After taping two sets on Friday evening at Yoshis in Oakland, I returned to do some interviews and taping on April Fools Day.  Before the first set, The SFJAZZ organization hosted a reception for donors and Collective members who were nattily attired for cocktails. When I asked Mark Turner if he would be wearing the same outfit for the first set, he deadpanned, "probably". But when the band members took the stand, they were wearing SFJAZZ hoodies. Many in the sold out house gave them a standing ovation before they played the first note of Stevie Wonder's "Race Babbling".

                                SFJAZZ Collective performs "Race Babbling" at Yoshis

After his blazing solo on Race Babbling, Stefon Harris took the mic and eloquently explained the band's first tune attire. "We are feeling inspired because tonight, as you can tell by our attire, the music is about something. We are wearing our glasses and hoodies in support of Trayvon Martin and his family. The music has to be about something. It has always been about something. It is a sonic manifestation of the people, what's on their hearts and what’s on their minds. And one of the things I love about working with this group is that ultimately, this Collective is about unity. We have four continents represented in this ensemble. And one of the great lessons that art has to teach the world is that it teaches us to focus on the things we have in common, and the insignificance of the things that divide us. This music was born out of the experience of African Americans in this country, like Travon Martin and his family. The message is that it's OK to be different. In fact, in this art form it is a requirement to be different. You don’t make it in this world by practicing a lot and coming up on the bandstand and playing sounds and other people’s stories. You make it in this art form when you have something to say that comes from your heart. I believe that's what you are here for. That’s what you came to hear. You want to hear some honesty." Amen. That night, the Yoshis audience got exactly what they came to hear- powerful, complex, cookin' honesty.  

                                                            Matt Penman      Ken Ellis

During the cocktail reception for the band, I noticed bassist Matt Penman sporting a soft cast on his plucking hand. I assumed it was some kind of repetitive strain protection from slamming his instrument for 6 intense sets. Turns out it helps him heal from a tennis injury. I look forward to getting in a few sets with him when he returns to the Bay Area at the end of May to play Yoshis with James Farm.

To view a video clip of  the Yoshis "Race Babbling" performance, go to: http://www.youtube.com/user/klechez
                                                          

Collective Wonder

In late February, 2011, eight of the planet’s most gifted jazz musicians came together in San Francisco for a two week residency to woodshed original compositions and conjure up new takes on the timeless treasure trove that is the music of Stevie Wonder. Collective Wonder, a one hour documentary, will take viewers inside the creative process of the SFJAZZ Collective, following the evolution of their new season, from the creative spark of an idea, through rehearsals and live concerts. Collective Wonder will capture the moments of inspiration and serendipity that make for great art.

Since it was formed in 2004, the SFJAZZ Collective has earned international acclaim for their individual musicianship and collaborative compositions.
"Fierce and elegant, precise and loose-limbed, artfully balancing intricate ensembles and blazing solos." —San Francisco Chronicle
"The standard, in terms of solo firepower, could hardly be higher.”
—The New York Times

The Collective’s 2011 personnel features MacArthur “Genius Grant” winner, three-time DownBeat “#1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist” and founding member Miguel Zenón; trombonist Robin Eubanks, a two-time DownBeat “Trombonist of the Year,” trumpeter Avishai Cohen, Grammy-nominated vibraphonist Stefon Harris and the incendiary rhythm section boasts 2010 Guggenheim Fellow Edward Simon on piano. Two of the most in-demand sidemen round out the group - bassist Matt Penman and Eric Harland, winner of DownBeat #1 Rising Star drummer for the last three years.
The group presents a global music perspective, with musicians from Puerto Rico (Zenón), New Zealand (Penman), Venezuela (Simon) and Israel (Cohen). Each member is a celebrated instrumentalist, an outstanding composer and arranger, and an articulate master teacher. After exploring the work of various jazz artists, from Ornette Coleman (2004), to Horace Silver (2010), the 2011 Collective tour features the music of Stevie Wonder, an artist outside the jazz tradition whose sophisticated songcraft and timeless melodies are more than worthy of modern jazz interpretation.


The documentary broadcast and DVD release is scheduled for fall of 2012. The project will also feature a companion website offering short clips and educational material.

Production/ Distribution Schedule
2/24 Miguel Zenon, Member Listening Party, San Francisco Conservatory of Music
2/25 Collective rehearsal in Portland, Oregon.
3/10 Two sets of performances at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, California.
April 1 - Live performance at Yoshi's, Oakland
Post-production editing and mixing will be completed during the summer of 2012, with release of the documentary and dvd in the fall.
Target audiences/venues include PBS and Cable Television, film festivals and music events. The Collective Wonder DVD will be available for sale on the SFJAZZ website, and other vendors. A companion website will present profiles of band members and feature educational material about their playing techniques and insights into the process of composing and arranging. 

Kickstarter Update:

Our Kickstarter funding effort fell short of its goal and is now closed. (overly ambitious goal and not enough time.) We are now in postproduction, with 3 sets of music and interviews. We need to raise approximately $30K to complete the documentary.

Why you?

With all these big time players, why do I need your help? For one reason, this is jazz, not pop. Heck, you don't even see jazz on the Grammys anymore. While they have been supportive, SFJAZZ does not have funds for this project. Thus far, it has been a labor of love, with the support of talented friends and pros. If you would like to contribute to our effort,  send an email to Executive Producer, Ken Ellis at kenzvenue@gmail.com. Thanks!

About me: I have been producing, writing and directing award-winning documentaries and other productions for 30+ years for various audiences including PBS, ABC, MSNBC, HGTV and the George Lucas Educational Foundation. A lifelong jazz fan, I believe in the power of music to inspire and teach.