The Ferguson Center Theater will take on a whole new feel tonight for its 7:30 concert as it hosts the New York City based contemporary jazz group 13th Assembly. Presented by both New College and Creative Campus, the appearance is part of the series of contemporary multi-genre musical performances that has taken place on campus within the last year.
“The 13th Assembly offers quite a different palette of color for the ears,” said Creative Campus Ccordinator Alexis Clark. “It’s not every day that music lovers in Tuscaloosa get an opportunity to challenge their listening style in this way.”
13th Assembly combines to form a sound that is “styled somewhere between the classic R&B/soul revues of the ’60s and a post-modern travelling circus,” according to a press release. Its four members, Mary Halvorson, Jessica Pavone, Taylor Ho Bynum and Tomas Fujiwara, have each earned individual music success and bring a unique musical element to the stage.
Halvorson has been a popular guitarist in the New York music scene since 2002 and earned international success with the release of her latest album “Saturn Sings.” Cornet player Bynum recently toured with saxophone legend Anthony Braxton and has established himself as a respected performer, composer and bandleader.
Fujiwara, the band’s drummer, released his album “Actionspeak” in September and has made many appearances around the world, including several in the Middle East as part of “The Rhythm Road,” a U.S. State Department and Lincoln Center music collaboration. Pavone, who has received numerous composition related commissions, including the Aaron Copeland Recording Fund, brings the classical sound of the viola to the group.
“The Thirteenth Assembly is comprised of some of New York City’s most forward-thinking musicians, all of whom are leaders of their own critically acclaimed ensembles, who have banded together to explore a collective sound that combines a wide range of influences, from jazz to indie rock, Motown, folk and experimental music,” said Andrew Raffo Dewar, an assistant professor of interdisciplinary arts in New College and the School of Music. “It’s a great chance to hear artists on the edge of new discoveries — and it’s a free event! What more could you ask for?”
Previous performances of this contemporary concert series have included the Matt Wilson Quartet, Tatsuya Nakatani and Eugene Chadbourne, Ladonna Smith and the Fish Tank Ensemble.
In addition to this evening’s concert, 13th Assembly will also be available in the Ferguson Theater today at 3:30 p.m. for a question and answer session with students. These events are both free and open to the public.
“Mary Halvorson’s presence alone has been enough to excite many music enthusiasts around campus,” said Creative Campus intern Ryan Davis, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary media. “The 13th Assembly presents us with an opportunity to experience progressive interpretations of numerous forms of popular music, all molded into the confines of contemporary jazz. The concert will be a great experience, no question about it.”
