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Updated 5/9/2019

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra

  • M

    MA

Institution/Business Type: Performing Group

JazzTimes hailed the band as "a “bracing walk on the wild side of the big band spectrum. …Aardvark suggests the best and the brashest of Charles Mingus, Gil Evans, George Russell, and even Frank Zappa.”" Founded in 1973, the legendary band performs critically-acclaimed original music by founder/director Mark Harvey, and is known for its exhilarating concerts of Duke Ellington’'s music, works by other American masters, and performances with film, poetry, and dance. Winner of the 2000 Independent Music Awards, the band has premiered 175 new works and released 15 CDs to rave reviews around the globe ("a stunning hour of music that is in turn beautiful, poignant and raucous” -- Billboard.com). Trumpeter/composer Mark Harvey won Meet the Composer grants and awards/commissions from ASCAP, National Endowment, and Lila Wallace/Reader’s Digest Commissioning Program; performed with George Russell, Baird Hersey, Gil Evans, Sam Rivers; teaches at MIT.

Find Me

Rebecca DeLamotte
Job Title: Manager
Phone: 617-776-8778
Fax: 617-629-2915
Address:
Americas Musicworks
29 Newbury Street
Somerville, MA 02144

Social Media:

Additional Content:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

1973

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

1973

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Music - Jazz

Additional Disciplines:

  • Music - Jazz

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
  • Film Showings
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Residency - Community
  • Residency - In School
  • Residency - Other
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 10

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Immigrant Populations
  • Nonprofits
  • People with Disabilities
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Youth-At-Risk

Geographic Reach:

  • Multi-State Region
  • National

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Jazz Boston
  • ASCAP
  • Society of Arts Religion and Culture
  • Mark Harvey, MIT senior lecturer in music

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Jazz Boston
  • ASCAP
  • Society of Arts Religion and Culture
  • Mark Harvey, MIT senior lecturer in music

Awards

Awards:

  • Independent Music Award, best jazz recording.
  • Mark Harvey named Jazz Boston's Man of the Year 2013
  • Mark Harvey named by Jazz Journalists Association as Boston Jazz Hero 2015
  • Numerous commissions from MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble have included compositions written for and premiered by Joe Lovano and Steve Turre.
  • Commission from 15th Annual John Coltrane Memorial Festival
  • Mark Harvey honored with Roy Haynes Award 2019

Education

Education:

  • Mark Harvey holds a BA from Syracuse University, a Th.M from Boston University School of Theology, and a Ph.D from Boston University Graduate School, Division of Theological and Religious Studies with a major in Social Ethics.

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Music

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Music

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • Stage dimensions 25' x 25'. Concert-quality sound system suitable for 18 to 20-piece orchestra; qualified sound engineer. If available, concert grand piano tuned no more than 48 hours ahead. Film projection eqpmt to be discussed when applicable.

Fee Range:

$3,500 - $17,000

State of Residence:

Massachusetts

Minimum Number of Performers:

15

Maximum Number of Performers:

25