18 Musicians - 2 Montreal Mentors - 1 Jazz Ensemble Project

 

Originally inspired by a commission for Beth's "514 Project" to be re-orchestrated for a professional-level big band on the north shore of Montreal, Beth took the inspiration to a new level by founding her own ensemble of young upcoming artists and professionals to perform her compositions in the vein of modern/contemporary jazz and jazz fusion. 

 

Under the supervision of JUNO award winning composer, saxophonist and bandleader Christine Jensen (Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra) and Montreal composer and pianist John Roney (Effendi Jazzlab), Beth has drawn together 18 of her choice highly talented musicians and performers who she feels a great musical and personal connection with individually, representing a wide cross-section of Montreal's jazz scene.

 

Beth has also had private study with 2 of her inspirational NYC mentors, Darcy James Argue (Darcy James Argue's Secret Society) and Jim McNeely (Thad Jones, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, BMI Composers' Workshop, Manhattan School of Music).

 

Her hand-selected ensemble is representative of players from the top young professionals of both the anglophone and francophone populations, young men and women who demonstrate great potential as artists and for performing music in the style of the ensemble. The ensemble's membership has been confirmed for all seats in the band, allowing Beth the ability to write for individual players in the ensemble and their strengths and sound. 

 

Beth's music from the "514 Project" is being reorchestrated for the players in the ensemble, to be recorded as an EP as a partnership with McGill University's Master's Sound Recording program, and the extended repertoire (8+ tunes) performed live in Montreal in January 2015.