Dave Douglas Sextet

Ars Nova Workshop presents the return of acclaimed trumpeter/composer Dave Douglas at Solar Myth with his new sextet combining jazz and poetry.

Called “the unassuming king of independent jazz” by DownBeat magazine, Dave Douglas is known for the stylistic breadth of his work as well as the lyricism and wide-ranging curiosity of his music. His career spans more than 60 unique original recordings as a leader, two Grammy Award nominations, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and collaborations with a wide swath of the creative music community – including Bill Frisell, John Zorn, Joe Lovano, Andrew Cyrille, Tomeka Reid, Vijay Iyer, Ravi Coltrane, Linda May Han Oh, Jeff Parker, and countless others. His new sextet features music composed by Douglas and pianist Elan Mehler, setting poetry and specifically haiku within the context of improvising music and sung by celebrated vocalist Dominique Eade. The band also features John Gunther (woodwinds), Simón Willson (bass) and Rudy Royston (drums).

The Dave Douglas Sextet visits Philadelphia in celebration of If There Are Mountains, the new album by Dave Douglas and Elan Mehler, setting poetry and specifically haiku within the context of improvised music. Douglas and Mehler composed all the music between themselves; the lyrical arrangements feature celebrated vocalist Dominique Eade. The album, previously released only to vinyl on Mehler’s label Newvelle Records, now sees a fresh release via Douglas’ own label Greenleaf Music on March 24.