Open Circuit International Trumpet Ensemble

Ars Nova Workshop, in partnership with the New York-based Festival of New Trumpet (FONT), is pleased to present the first annual FONT Philadelphia mini-festival showcasing three adventurous projects. Curated by Taylor Ho Bynum and Dave Douglas.

Throughout its six year history, The Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT) has been dedicated to expanding the repertoire of contemporary creative brass music, and stretching listener pre-conceptions about the musical capabilities of the trumpet and the stylistic boundaries of genre. FONT’s mission is to celebrate and contribute to the diversity of contemporary music through the medium of the trumpet, and it has come to be recognized as one of New York City's most exciting and adventurous events, described by New Yorker Magazine as “a grand highlight of the musical season.”

With a who's who of internationally-renowned improvising musicians including drummer John Betsch, best know for his decades-long association with Steve Lacy, the Open Circuit International Trumpet Ensemble features six exceptionally innovative trumpeters. A Frank Zappa favorite, the Meridian Arts Ensemble with guest soloist Dave Ballou will premiere David Sanford’s Seven Kings, a multi-movement work for brass quintet and trumpet soloist inspired by the complex interplay in King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band. And, the Chicago Underground Duo with Rob Mazurek (Isotope 217, Stereolab, Tortoise) and Chad Taylor (Iron and Wine, Fred Anderson, Marc Ribot) will make a rare visit to celebrate the release of Boca Negra, their fifth recording for Thrill Jockey Records.  

The Open Circuit project has been made possible with support from Chamber Music America and French American Cultural Exchange’s CMA/FACE French-American Jazz Exchange Program, funded through the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, the Florence Gould Foundation, SACEM, Cultures France, and FMEO – Le Bureau Export de la Musique Francaise.