Trailblazing Cellist Matt Haimovitz and His Eight-Piece Cello Ensemble Celebrate Jazz in New Arrangements by David Sanford
Internationally-acclaimed cellist Matt Haimovitz returns to Western Massachusetts to perform in two special evenings to benefit area hunger relief organizations, The Food Bank and Rachel's Table. Renowned for his fearless and virtuosic performances, Haimovitz performs with his eight-piece cello ensemble Uccello, comprised of his top students from McGill University in Montreal, for a program of new arrangements of Jazz classics. "An expressive maximalist," says The New Yorker, "[Haimovitz] calls forth a dazzling spectrum of sounds from the depths of his instrument."
- Wednesday, May 12 @ 7:00pm: Glenbrook Middle School in Longmeadow
- Thursday, May 13 @ 7:30pm: National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst
The evenings are sponsored by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, whose mission is to enhance the vibrancy of Jewish life in Western Massachusetts, nationally and in Israel through education and experiences that impart the knowledge and values of our heritage and the joys of being Jewish. Indeed, the Foundation recently helped Haimovitz bring four students to perform and study at a cello festival in Israel. "I'm very much looking forward to showing my gratitude for their support," says Haimovitz.
The eight cellists of Uccello will play works by Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu), Miles Davis, Billy Strayhorn, and other jazz legends. In the new arrangements by Rome-Prize-winning composer David Sanford, the cellos wail, slide, and swing in an all-new big band sound. Benefit audiences will be among the first to hear this new Jazz program, one that will be performed the following week in New York City and recorded for release this fall on Oxingale Records. Listeners can also expect some of Haimovitz's trademark solo repertoire from Baroque masters Bach and Gabrielli.
The first concert takes place on Wednesday, May 12 at Glenbrook Middle School, 110 Cambridge Circle in Longmeadow, at 7:00 pm, preceded by a Donor Reception at 6:00 pm. The concert will start with a short performance by the Middle School Orchestra.
The following evening, Thursday, May 13, Haimovitz and Uccello will be heard at the National Yiddish Book Center, with a reception at 6:30 pm and concert at 7:30 pm. The Center is at 1021 West Street (on Hampshire College campus) in Amherst.