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Calefax – a classical reed quintet – and the Tony
Overwater Trio – a jazz ensemble – have joined forces to perform several
suites that were written by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn for the Duke Ellington
orchestra, in new arrangements for six reed players (oboe, clarinets, saxophones, bassoon),
double bass and drums. Following the huge successes of concerts in the Netherlands (both on
classical music stages and in jazz venues such as the Bimhuis and North Sea Jazz) and the
internationally acclaimed cd, they plan a concert series in 2008/2009 through the Near,
Middle and Far East. These were the countries that Ellington toured with his orchestra in
1963, and that inspired him to write his famous Far East Suite: from Cyprus and Greece,
through Lebanon and Iraq, to India and Japan.
By collaborating closely with musicians in the countries that will be visited, the two
ensembles enter into a dialogue with other cultures and, most importantly, demonstrate how
music can rise above cultural and social differences. Both groups will play ‘
individually', inviting local musicians to join in; together, the Tony Overwater Trio
and Calefax will not only perform the Far East Suite, but also play new music by Dutch
composers – written especially for this occasion – and by composers from the
visited countries, in a “jukebox composition” masterminded by saxofonist/composer
Maarten Ornstein. During their journey, they will collaborate with local musicians and
composers in concerts, masterclasses and workshops, that will be extended with talks, films
shows, discussions, etcetera.
The results of these collaborations will be presented in a concert series in the
Netherlands in the season 2009/2010, where the highlights of the concert tour will be
performed together with the musicians from the “ far east countries” .
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