Ben La Mar Gay Ensemble (USA)
Ben LaMar Gay is a leading figure in contemporary progressive Chicago jazz. Not only is he considered one of the most prolific collaborators, as evidenced by his active participation in Nicole Mitchell’s Earth Seed, Joshua Abrams’ Natural Information Society, Mkaya McCraven and Jaimie Branch, but his current third album, "Yowsers" has received plaudits from jazz and pop critics alike. LaMar Gay has developed a unique form of artistic expression that arises from improvisation while simultaneously transcending the boundaries of individual genres. His ensemble brings a thrilling cocktail of pulsating, free rhythms and simple melodies inspired by blues, gospel and folk. “His music is jazz-pop-hip-hop at its finest” says the FAZ.
Ben LaMar Gay: Cornet, Synth, Vocals | Edinho Gerber: Guitar | Matt Davis: Sousaphone, Vocals | Tommaso Moretti: Drums
Artist
Ben LaMar Gay Ensemble (USA)
Composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer and poet, Ben LaMar Gay is one of the defining figures of Chicago's vibrant music scene. He comes from Southside Chicago and grew up in the legendary AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians). His first instrument, the cornet, and his intuitive sense for original production enabled him to explore the city's diverse music scenes (jazz, hip-hop, house, electronic, rock, avant-garde, salsa, Latin jazz, etc.) as a young man before moving to Brazil for several years. His return to Chicago in the early 2010s marked the start of a trend that WIRE magazine has since dubbed "Pan-Americana": An eclectic musical mix of jazz, blues, hip-hop and elements of Afro-Futurism.
Location
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Residenzplatz 4