ECO MUSIC BIG BAND USES JAZZ TO DEMAND LIBERATION FOR THE OPPRESSED THIS FRIDAY
Painted Bride Art Center is pleased to welcome Eco Music Big Band on October 30th at 8pm, led by conductor/composer Marie Incontrera and guest starring Philly’s own Rhenda Fearrington and Bobby Zankel.
Eco Music Big Band is a 16-piece ensemble of virtuosic musicians, playing an explosive mix of free jazz, hip hop, blues, rock and roll, and post-classical music. Founded by composer, conductor, and activist Fred Ho before his death in 2014, the band’s mission is not only to keep alive Ho’s musical and political spirit, but to showcase new and marginal voices in today’s avant garde jazz tradition.
Led by Fred Ho’s final protege, Marie Incontrera, Eco Music will perform COLORS OF RESISTANCE. “The name of the show comes from the tradition of resistance music,” says Incontrera. “Jazz, Blues, and Hip hop are all genres with a message or that speak to a need for the liberation of oppressed people. As a band, we always ask ourselves, what will life be like for people seven generations ahead of us if we keep heading in the same direction? That perspective propels works like COLORS OF RESISTANCE.”
COLORS OF RESISTANCE features both new and re-imagined works by composers like Fred Ho, David Taylor, and Philly’s own Cal Massey, as well as rising New York jazz composers Livio Almeida, Albert Marques, and Zack O’Farrill. For their October 30th performance, Eco Music Big Band will welcome to the stage vocalist and Philly native Rhenda Fearrington, who will perform “Something to Live For” in honor of composer Billy Strayhorn.
Philly sax player Bobby Zankel, who is in the middle of his own Painted Bride series, will also make a guest appearance.
Incontrera began her career studying political opera composition under Fred Ho. Ho, who was battling cancer, passed the torch onto her, drawing her into the big band medium. Eco Music Big Band was created shortly after with Incontrera as leader, a role she has taken to with flourish. “Big Band conduction is a lot different than classical conducting,” she says. “It’s about creating a catalyst and using your body language to communicate intention. It’s really rewarding.”
Painted Bride curator, Lenny Seidman, is excited for the show. “Fred Ho’s legacy is important,” he says, “And it’s exciting to see Marie Incontrera carrying the torch. Women are underrepresented in this genre of music, so it’s a real pleasure for us [at the Bride] to be able to introduce her and the big band to Philly.”
Eco Music Big Band plays Painted Bride Art Center October 30th at 8pm. Tickets on sale now—$25 in advance, $30 day of. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE or call the box office 12-6pm, Tuesday to Sunday, at 215.925.9914. Members save 30%.
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