The Moshier-Lebrun Collective


Touch and Go: A jazz suite inspired by the writing of Studs Terkel

Josh Moshier, composer

Commissioned by New Jazz Works, Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Performed by The Moshier/Lebrun Collective.


CONCEPT

This new work is inspired by the writing of Studs Terkel, the Chicago historian, author and eclectic disc jockey who was best known for documenting the oral histories of ordinary people. Using the song as a metaphor for the documention of oral history, composer Josh Moshier has created an extended piece comprised of five songs that are linked by common melodies and open improvisational regions. The end result is a musical assemblage celebrating common humanity in light of the diversity of individual identities.


ABOUT NEW JAZZ WORKS

Through the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works program supports the creation and performance of new works by professional U. S. jazz ensembles. In 2009 the Moshier/Lebrun Collective was one of 12 ensembles to be awarded the New Jazz Works grant, and the sole Chicago recipient. Other Chicagoans to win the award in past years are Ryan Cohan and Geof Bradfield.


ABOUT THE MOSHIER/LEBRUN COLLECTIVE

Josh Moshier and Mike Lebrun formed their group in 2007 out of a shared vision for creating song-driven jazz for millennial listeners. Their group has given multiple performances at The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club and Uncommon Ground, as well as concerts in Washington D.C., New York City and San Francisco. OA2 Records released their debut recording Joy Not Jaded in 2009, featuring Lebrun’s song “Jambo” (Winner: Best Small Group Composition at the 2008 Jazz Composers Symposium) and Moshier’s song “King’s Road” (Winner: 2010 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award).

Hear the band!


ABOUT THE MUSICIANS

Josh Moshier, piano. Josh studied piano and composition at Northwestern University, where he met Mike Lebrun. Josh directs the Wheaton College Jazz Ensemble and is a member of the Chicago Jazz Composers Collective.

Mike Lebrun, tenor saxophone. An award-winning improviser and composer, Mike has performed with Jeff Hedberg’s C11, Alan Gresik’s Swing Shift Orchestra, Guster and The Temptations.

John Moulder, guitar. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune for his “scorched-earth solos,” John Moulder is a veteran of the Chicago scene and a regular collaborator with drummer Paul Wertico. His latest release is Bifrost on Origin Records, acclaimed as a top jazz record of 2009.

John Tate, bass. Backing leading jazz artists Fareed Haque, Steve Coleman, Dan Trudell and Von Freeman, John Tate is a player with soul, fire and groove.

Jon Deitemyer, drums. With a résumé including tours with Zach Brock, Grazyna Augusik and Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jon powers the Chicago original music scene with bands such as Ryan Cohan’s Sextet, Patricia Barber, Information Superhighway, Nia Quintet and Matt Ulery’s Loom.


Home