Famed Aardvark Jazz Orchestra continues historic 45th season with original works by Mark Harvey

SOMERVILLE, Mass. - Sept. 29, 2017 - PRLog -- Called "stunningly beautiful" (New York City Jazz Record) and "one of the best jazz ensembles in the world" (Jazz Podium, Germany), The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra will continue its 45^th season with a wide-ranging show of originals by music director Mark Harvey on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at MIT Killian Hall, 160 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02142.  Free and open to the public.  For information call 617-452-3205.

The show will feature the world premiere of Mark Harvey's latest piece Nowheresville.  Also on tap:  an updated version of his Swamp-a-Rama Suite, which was first performed on April 29, 2017, Day 100 of the Trump administration.  The rollicking suite includes the Trumputin Tango, Fake News Blewz, and Perseverance Pavanne.  The evening will conclude with Harvey's No Walls, inspired by Duke Ellington's belief in moving beyond category in art and life, expressed in his pithy question:  Did God Ever Make a Wall?  The piece, written in 2007 as a tribute to Doctors Without Borders, continues to resonate today as Aardvark's anthem of inclusivity and hope.

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, founded in 1973, is one of the longest continuously operating large jazz ensembles in the world. The orchestra performs original compositions by Mark Harvey, as well as classics from the jazz tradition, American music, and world music.  Aardvark has premiered more than 175 works and has released 14 CDs, including 8 discs on Leo Records.  Guest artists have included luminaries Sheila Jordan, Jaki Byard, Jimmy Giuffre, Geri Allen, Dominique Eade, Matt Savage, and Walter Thompson.  Aardvark has been called "brilliant" (CultureJazz.Fr), "spellbinding" (The Boston Globe), "captivating" (Jazz Improv), and "beyond category" (Downbeat).  http://www.americasmusicworks.com/aardvark-jazz-orchestra.html

Mark Harvey is the founder and music director of the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra.  He has performed in major venues including Fenway Park and Symphony Hall, Boston, the Knitting Factory and the Village Gate (NYC), the National Gallery of Art (DC), the Left Bank Jazz Society (MD), the Southern California Institute of Architecture (CA), the Berlin Jazz Festival (Germany), and the Baja State Theater (Mexico).  His musical credits also include recordings with George Russell's Living Time Orchestra (Blue Note), and Baird Hersey & the Year of the Ear (Arista/Novus) and appearances with Gil Evans, Howard McGhee, Sam Rivers, Claudio Roditi, and other notables.  Dr. Harvey has received numerous awards and commissions.  He teaches jazz studies and composition at MIT.

Aardvark is:  Peter Bloom, Phil Scarff, Chris Rakowski, Dan Zupan, Dylan Sherry/saxophones and woodwinds; Jeanne Snodgrass/trumpet; Bob Pilkington, Jay Keyser, Jeff Marsanskis/ trombones; Bill Lowe/ bass trombone; Richard Nelson/guitar; John Funkhouser/string bass; Harry Wellott/drums; Mark Harvey/ trumpet, music director.  The band is managed by Americas Musicworks, Rebecca DeLamotte, director, telephone 617 776 8778. Email:  delamotte-amw at Comcast dot net.  Visit www.aardvarkjazz.com