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Astral Project

September 16, 2009

Astral Project, one of New Orleans' most exciting and respected modern jazz groups will perform in the University of Memphis' Harris Concert Hall on September 16 at 7:30 p.m. The performance, presented as part of the Scheidt School of Music's Guest Artist Series, will showcase the ensemble of four, considered by many to be the brightest, most energetic jazz group in the Crescent City. Playing together since 1978, Astral Project is a co-op band comprised of world-class improvisers. Leading the band is Tony Dagradi performing on both tenor and soprano saxophones; master drummer John Vidacovich; Steve Masakowski, one of the most awe-inspiring guitarists and composers in contemporary music, and James Singleton on bass, a conduit of pure energy, make up the remainder of the band. Down Beat calls Astral Project "one of the most distinctive and cohesive groups in jazz," and JazzTimes calls it "one of the more adventurous working units in modern jazz today." Dagradi, a devoted student of Eastern philosophy, coined the band's name as a reflection of the group's quest for a higher plane. As anyone who has seen the band in concert knows, every performance finds the band members reaching for the stars as the ensemble's veteran musicians bring a wealth of diverse experience to the bandstand when the group journeys into different musical spheres. True to the original spirit of jazz, Astral Project creates real tunes while giving the musicians freedom to incorporate influences from a wide range of sources.