KICKSTARTER

I want to pay my musicians. Cadence Jazz Records will release a live recording of my 22 piece ensemble, Nation Of We, that was performed at Roulette here in New York City in 2008. The recording business being what it is in these times, the label will press the recording and distribute it but not cover musician fees. That is more typical than a lot of people realize. 

About the band.  Nation Of We is my large improvising ensemble. We have been together for nearly five years. I write for this ensemble but the magic is in what the ensemble does with the written material and then how I shape what they are doing in a live performance with that material. A real give and take situation, spontaneous composing by all the members from explosive dense moments to delicately textured sound worlds. There were 22 musicians on board the evening of this performance and I feel they really created something special. I try and pull many musicians from the different improvising disciplines here in New York and mix it all up and see what happens. A list of the performers on this night and their instruments appears below.

About the paintings. The paintings in the video are samples of some of the paintings I've done in my spare time. If someone wishes a painting from the Backer Awards categories to the right, I will paint a new one at the requested size according to the Award. If for some reason you are interested in one of the paintings shown in the video, please contact me and I will direct you to which Award category would be appropriate for that painting and will commit that one to you. These paintings would be a great collectable or look great hanging in your local new music venue. A painting of mine will also appear on the cover of the CD.

Also, please note that I will send any of the Awards to you wherever you live in the world at no cost to you.

NATION OF WE

Strings:

• Jason Hwang, violin
  
• Rosi Hertlein, violin
  
• Daniel Levin, cello
  

Rhythm:

• Chris Forbes, piano
  
• Todd Nicholson, bass
  
• Jackson Krall, drums, percussion
  
• Albey Balgochian. bass, poem recitation
  

Saxophones:

• Will Connell, alto
  
• Guiseppi Logan, alto
  
• Saco Yasuma, alto
  
• Darius Jones, alto
  
• Bill Gagliardi. soprano, tenor
  
• Sabir Mateen, tenor, flute
  
• Ras Moshe, tenor, flute
  
• Dave Sewelson, baritone, harmonica
  

Trumpets:

• Flip Barnes, trumpet
  
• Matt LaVelle, trumpet, bass clarinet
  
• Chris DeMiglio, trumpet
  

Trombones:

• Peter Zummo, tromobone
  
• Aaron Johnson, bass trombone, shells
  
• Dave Taylor, bass trombone
  
• Steve Swell, trombone, compositions, conduction
  

Thanks for reading!!