The Jazz Gallery Presents: Jazz Composer's Workshop, vol. 3

This Thursday, May 28th, The Jazz Gallery is proud to present the third installment of our Jazz Composer's Workshop. Curated by composer Miho Hazama, the series presents works by up-and-coming big band writers performed by a top-notch band featuring several Gallery regulars.This week, the workshop features the work of Nathan Parker Smith, Tom Erickson, and John Yao. Smith is a Northern California native and has been leading his own large ensemble in New York since 2009. His music is energetic and in-your-face, drawing from heavy metal, 20th century classical, and progressive improvisation traditions alike. Check out his group's performance at WNYC's the Greene Space from 2013.Tom Erickson has studied at the University of Denver and William Patterson University, and his compositions have been performed by big bands all over the world from Croatia, to South Africa, to Texas, and beyond. Check out this interview with Erickson and listen to his knotty composition "Jaguar-shark" below.A versatile trombonist in addition to an accomplished composer, John Yao came to New York from the suburbs of Chicago via the University of Indiana. He has toured with tribute big bands associated with Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey, and has played with two of the most decorated big bands in New York —The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra directed by Arturo O'Farrill. Yao's band, which he calls his "17-piece Instrument," will be releasing a new album Flip-Flop (See Tao Recordings) this June. Yao's music is exuberant and hard-swinging, as you can tell from the performance below.Thursday is sure to be filled with a whole range of new, exciting big band music, a performance not to be missed. The Jazz Gallery presents the third Jazz Composer's Workshop curated by Miho Hazama on Thursday, May 28th, 2015. The concert features works by Nathan Parker Smith, Tom Erickson, and John Yao. The band includes John O'Gallagher, Ben Kono, Jason Rigby, and John Lowery on woodwinds; Nathan Eklund, Andy Gravish, Josh Deutsch, and Matt Holman on trumpet; Mark Patterson, Matther MacDonald, Nick Grinder, and Max Seigel on trombone; Olli Hirvonen on guitar; Chris Ziemba on piano; Evan Gregor on bass; and Jared Schonig on drums. Sets are at 8 and 10 p.m. $15 general admission ($10 for members) for the first set, $10 general admission ($8 for members) for the second. Purchase tickets here.