The October Revolution of Jazz & Contemporary Music October 4-7 in Philadelphia, PA

The October Revolution of Jazz & Contemporary Music, a four-day international music festival presented by Ars Nova Workshop, in partnership with FringeArts, has finalized its 2018 lineup. Taking place October 4-7, 2018, the second annual festival spans the worlds of avant-garde jazz, contemporary classical, electronic, and spiritual music, covering a vast landscape of innovative sound.

The 2018 October Revolution builds on the foundation of last year’s hugely successful inaugural edition, which The New York Times called a festival that “makes history” and DownBeat hailed for its “curatorial brilliance.” Selling out three of its four days, the festival immediately established itself as a vital destination for adventurous listeners, with WBGO stating, “Experimental music fans have a new festival to look forward to.” The second year expands on the mission of the first, with rare performances, legendary artists, and unique collaborations.

“OctRev is already promising to become a huge international draw to Philadelphia,” says Ars Nova Workshop founder and Artistic Director Mark Christman. “The eclectic and expansive mix of pioneering music helps us open our minds, and our arms, to the world—in a spirit of welcome and inclusivity that is sorely needed these days.”

THE OCTOBER REVOLUTION 2018 FESTIVAL LINEUP:

The Music of Legendary Hasaan – Though his playing is captured on only one released recording, the Philadelphia pianist Hasaan Ibn Ali has had an extraordinary influence on everyone from John Coltrane to Jason Moran. Now, three Philadelphia jazz notables – Brian Marsella, Christian McBride, and Anwar Marshall – revisit Hasaan’s work to pay homage to this mysterious and legendary figure.

John Zorn – In dual celebration of his 65th birthday as well as the arrival of the new Christ Church C.B. Fisk 3,000-pipe organ, John Zorn will be closing the October Revolution of Jazz & Contemporary Music with a solo “Hermetic Organ” performance.

Tomeka Reid Quartet – Carving a new and original path for cello in jazz , Reid’s combination of timbral finesse and fleet instincts has been featured in many distinguished ensembles over the years. Featuring the remarkable guitarist Mary Halvorson!

David Lang’s World to Come – “World To Come” is a David Lang composition written specifically for Francesco Dillon in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Muhal Richard Abrams’ SoundPath – The world lost a true pioneer when the world-renowned AACM pianist and composer and NEA Jazz Master Muhal Richard Abrams passed away on October 29, 2017, at the age of 87. His piece SoundPath for 16 musicians gets only its 2nd ever performance.

Kuzu – An exciting new trio featuring saxophonist Dave Rempis, a stalwart of the Chicago improvised music scene, worked with both Tashi Dorji (guitar) and Tyler Damon (drums)

The Humanity Quartet - Deeply rooted in tradition, with an indelible emphasis on swing and infectious melody, the message of the Humanity Quartet represents a sharing of ideas and feelings that bring people together in an increasingly divided world. Featuring drummer Leon Parker!

Hear in Now - With Mazz Swift (New York City) on violin/vocals, Silvia Bolognesi (Italy) on double bass, and Tomeka Reid (Chicago) on cello, Hear in Now creates a unique sound experience blurring the borders between free improvisation and through-composed compositions.

Wolf Eyes + Marshall Allen – “Trip Metal” band meets the Sun Ra Arkestra maestro for the first time!

Amirtha Kidambi’s Elder Ones - “In a recent conversation about where she came from and where she’s going, she discussed the Carnatic singer Sudha Ragunathan; the free jazz of John Coltrane and Albert Ayler; Alice Coltrane’s bhajan recordings from the 1980s and ’90s; Sarah Vaughan; Black Sabbath; the 20th-century classical vanguardists Varèse and Xenakis; the experimental composer Robert Ashley, with whom she worked toward the end of his life; and Renaissance motets. The common theme through them is a sense of immediacy, or what she called intensity.” -The New York Times

Dirigo Rataplan – The Philadelphia premiere of this all-star quartet featuring Ellery Eskelin, Dave Ballou, Michael Formanek, and Devin Gray

Annette Peacock - A true original who rarely performs in public, Peacock’s compositions are among the most enduring in modern jazz.

Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids - A Philadelphia premiere nearly 50 years in the making! The Pyramids’ new recording, “An Angel Fell,” is The Quietus’s #2 Album Of The Year So Far.

Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda: The Ashram Experience - Largely unheard by the general public during Coltrane’s lifetime, the Sai Anantam Singers are now sharing her astounding devotional music in live performance.

Tiger Trio - The inspired union of pianist and Guggenheim fellow Myra Melford, French bassist Joëlle Léandre (who has worked with Merce Cunningham, John Cage, and Anthony Braxton), and AACM flutist Nicole Mitchell, Tiger Trio brings an uncommon lucidity to the art of spontaneous composition.

OGJB Quartet - Four boundary-pushing innovators converge in this collective quartet: saxophonist Oliver Lake, cornetist Graham Haynes, bassist Joe Fonda, and drummer Barry Altschul. All four are ground-breaking musicians in their own rights and can boast collaborations with many of the most acclaimed voices in the history of jazz.

Dave Burrell Full-Blown Trio with Darius Jones & Chad Taylor - The lifetime achievement honoree at this year’s Vision Festival, Philadelphia piano great Dave Burrell returns home at the helm of his explosive, era-spanning trio.