Miami’s Nu Deco Ensemble returns to the iconic Frank Gehry designed New World Center March 13-14 for their annual commissioning project, featuring the world-premiere orchestral work from Grammy-Award winning jazz pianist and composer, Robert Glasper. When asked about the project, Glasper stated that he is “Looking forward to coming to Miami and working with such a great orchestra and organization!” This two-night series will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Miami audiences to hear this original work from an artist that has helped to define jazz music in the 21st-century.
Robert Glasper has long kept one foot planted firmly in jazz and the other in hip-hop and R&B. He’s worked extensively with Q-Tip, playing keyboards on the rapper’s 2008 album The Renaissance and co-writing the album single “Life Is Better” which featured his label mate Norah Jones. Glasper also serves as the music director in yasiin bey’s touring band, and has toured with the multi-platinum R&B singer Maxwell.
Hailed by listeners and critics, Glasper has also garnered the respect of musicians across genre lines. A recent episode of NPR’s All Songs Considered highlighted the influence of Glasper’s approach – not only in jazz circles but also on hip-hop touchstones like Kendrick Lamar‘s To Pimp A Butterfly, and beyond-soul masterworks like Flying Lotus‘ Flamagra and Brittany Howard‘s Jaime.
Nu Deco Ensemble is thrilled to be able to work with Glasper on such a monumental project. “Robert Glasper is a dream guest and collaborator for Nu Deco,” shares founder Sam Hyken. “It is an honor for us to commission and present his very first orchestral work.”
Other works on this performance will include some of Glasper’s original compositions, Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, Mvmt. II, the minimalist In C by Terry Riley, and a suite of music of the “Godfather of Soul” James Brown. More information and tickets are available at https://nu-deco.org/concert_thumbs/nu-deco-at-new-world-ft-robert-glasper/.
Created by two of classical music’s most in demand artists, Jacomo Bairos and Sam Hyken, Nu Deco Ensemble is a flexible and innovative hybrid orchestra that celebrates living composers, reimagines all genres of music and collaborates with a wide range of diverse musical guests, composers, choreographers, dancers and mixed media artists. Since its inception in 2015, the 30-piece ensemble has exploded onto Miami’s eclectic musical scene, captivating audiences, engaging with its community and fusing innovative, genre-bending orchestral performances and collaborations with the highest levels of musical artistry.
In November, Nu Deco Ensemble released their self-titled debut album. Produced in full by Kishi Bashi, the 8-track album includes genre-bending collaborations, re-imaginings of artists such as Outkast and Daft Punk and new music by some of today’s most exciting living composers, including Nicholas Omicioli and Andy Akiho, among others.
The album release coincides with Nu Deco Ensemble’s 19/20 season, featuring collaborations with Wyclef Jean, PJ Morton, Robert Glasper, Hurray for the Riff Raff and Rev Run. A full list of upcoming performances can be found below.
Nu Deco Ensemble also recently launched Nu Deco NXT, a revolutionary youth ensemble that aims to develop compassionate, socially conscious, dynamic musicians in South Florida, grades 8 through 12. The program will be comprised of music rehearsals, workshops, jam sessions, guest lecturers and invitations to Nu Deco rehearsals during the fall and early spring, with a week-long intensive during Spring Break (March 21-28, 2020) culminating in a public performance by the youth ensemble.
When: Friday, March 13th and Saturday, March 14th – 8:00pm
Where: New World Center – 500 17th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tickets: $35 – $85
More Information: https://nu-deco.org/concert_thumbs/nu-deco-at-new-world-ft-robert-glasper/