Musings

Christopher Zuar Orchestra

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“... a remarkably original compositional language... Musings does what all great music is supposed to do: it moves the listener and provokes the kind of introspection that is the source of all creative experiences. It is for anyone who appreciates drama, beauty, spontaneity, and a flash of genius gifted from the gods.”

– Mike Holober

Press Release

PERSONNEL

WOODWINDS

Dave Pietro / Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Piccolo, Flute, Alto Flute

Ben Kono / Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet

Jason Rigby / Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet

Lucas Pino / Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet

Brian Landrus / Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet

TRUMPETS/FLUGELHORNS

Tony Kadleck, Jon Owens, Mat Jodrell, Matt Holman

TROMBONES

Tim Albright, Matt McDonald, Alan Ferber, Max Seigel

RHYTHM

Pete McCann / Electric & Acoustic Guitar

Frank Carlberg / Piano & Fender Rhodes

John Hebert / Acoustic & Electric Bass

Mark Ferber / Drums

Rogerio Boccato / Percussion

Jo Lawry / Voice

christopher zuar

Christopher Zuar’s music has been performed both nationally and internationally by the WDR Big Band (Germany), the Brussels Jazz Orchestra (Belgium), the Danish Radio Big Band (Denmark), and New York Youth Symphony Jazz among others.

Hailed by music critic Raul Da Gama as “prodigiously gifted”, Zuar feels at home writing in a variety of musical styles. His compositional language, steeped in the jazz and classical traditions, explores a deep sense of harmony and lyricism that combine to create a voice rooted in both past and present.

Zuar has garnered numerous awards and commissions. He is the recipient of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer’s Award (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017), the First Music Commission from the New York Youth Symphony (2011, 2012 and 2015), the 2016 ASCAP Johnny Mandel Prize, the 2020 Airmen of Note Sammy Nestico Award, and the 2021 Symphonic Jazz Orchestra Commissioning Prize. He is currently developing an extended work with animation film maker, Anne Beal, combining original music for jazz orchestra and watercolor animation. The piece, entitled, “Tonal Conversations”, will premiere at 150 Media Stream, a groundbreaking sculptural video art installation, in October 2018.

Zuar holds a bachelor of music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a master of music degree from the Manhattan School of Music both in jazz composition. His debut album, Musings, a collection of eight original compositions for large ensemble, was released on Sunnyside Records in 2016. The record has gone on to receive critical acclaim, including a spot on DownBeat magazine's "Best Albums of 2016", and runner-up "Debut of The Year" in the NPR Jazz Critics Poll. Zuar is the recipient of a 2020 Copland House Residency Award, and 2022 MacDowell Fellowship.

(L-R) Alan Ferber, Lucas Pino, Rogerio Boccato, Frank Carlberg, Matt McDonald, Ben Kono, Tim Albright, John Hebert, Pete McCann, Christopher Zuar, Brian Landrus, Dave Pietro, Mike Holober, Mark Ferber, Jason Rigby, Max Seigel, Jon Owens, Tony Kadlec… — (L-R) Alan Ferber, Lucas Pino, Rogerio Boccato, Frank Carlberg, Matt McDonald, Ben Kono, Tim Albright, John Hebert, Pete McCann, Christopher Zuar, Brian Landrus, Dave Pietro, Mike Holober, Mark Ferber, Jason Rigby, Max Seigel, Jon Owens, Tony Kadleck, Matt Holman, Mat Jodrell.

Conducting the “Tonal Conversations” premiere at 150 Media Stream

Press

All About Jazz - Dan Bilawsky 4.5 stars

"...artfully crafted and expertly rendered by a forward-thinking jazz orchestra…"

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Audiophile Audition - Jeff Krow 4.5 stars

"…a masterful blend of modern classical and jazz… Zuar’s compositions soar with a richness and beauty that demand reflection and leave a deep sense of serenity."

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downbeat - yoshi kato 4 stars

“...Musings is an impressively accomplished debut."

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Jazzdagama - Raul da gama

"Musings will likely go down as one of the most celebrated large ensemble recordings made this year... Christopher Zuar, who is responsible for this devilishly good recording is prodigiously gifted, an idiomatic and virtuoso writer who seems to dream in every instrument represented here.

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