At New England Conservatory, jazz runs hot in young musicians'
veins. It means the blaze of improvisation and individual creativity,
the warmth of interaction in small ensembles. Experimentation is
encouraged. And that's cool!
This tradition goes back 40 years,
when NEC launched the first fully accredited jazz studies program at a
music conservatory. In celebrating the 40th anniversary of this
creative first, NEC dips into the past, present, and future, with a
week of club dates in New York. A similar series of club appearances
set Boston's jazz clubs ablaze back in October.
The first of two evenings at the Jazz Standard is built around two sets by Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Led by Darcy James Argue '02 M.M., this "steampunk jazz" big band typically includes a number of NEC alumni.
The Jazz Standard is located at 116 E. 27th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues. Tickets are $25, and are valid for one or both sets.
2010-02-09 Jon Garelick of the Boston Phoenix on Darcy James Argue
Read Darcy James Argue's blog.
video of Darcy James Argue's Secret Society performing for Philadelphia radio station WHYY's "On Canvas," courtesy YouTube channel whyyphila
Complete schedule of New York Jazz40 events:
2010-03-20 Cornelia Street Café Anthony Coleman; Jeremy Udden
2010-03-21 Jazz at Lincoln Center George Russell panel
2010-03-21 Cornelia Street Café André Matos
2010-03-22 55 Bar The Public Option; Noah Preminger
2010-03-23 The Jazz Standard Darcy James Argue's Secret Society
2010-03-24 The Jazz Standard All-star faculty ensemble; Marty Ehrlich
2010-03-25 Douglass Street Music Collective New Mellow Edwards; alumni jam
2010-03-26 Joe's Pub Vocalist showcase
2010-03-26 Cornelia Street Café John McNeil/Bill McHenry Quartet
2010-03-27 B.B. King's NEC
jazz stars
More on NEC's Jazz40 celebrations.
Are you an NEC faculty member or student who is giving a school concert? Submit your artist and repertoire information now!
THELONIOUS MONK