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Thank you to the Asheville Area Arts Council for generously giving to The Jazz Composers Forum from their Grassroots Grant Program.



Dear Friends of the Jazz Composers Forum and The Taken Back Quartet:Thank you to all who came out to the Quentin Baxter and Kebbi Williams concert. We really appreciate your support and that is what allows us to continue to bring you great Jazz music.

Come out and bring a friend on
Monday September 23rd
The Taken Back Quartet features
Bill Gerhardt


at
The Left Bank 90 Patton Ave.
$10.00 and $6.00 for students. Two different concerts; seatings at 8:00 and 9:30 one price.


Please read what the composer Bill Gerhardt has to say about his upcoming concert.

" For my first two concerts at the JAZZ COMPOSER'S FORUM, I chose to write all new material. This created a fresh, almost improvisational sound to the music. Some of the compositions were seen by The Taken Back Quartet for the first time only days before the performance. On my second performance with The Taken Back Quartet; I gave them a new chart during the sound check . What happened illustrates a strong aspect of my music. I feel writing music is a multi-level version of improvisation. My best work is usually written once through, with little or no revision. In envisioning my next concert: Monday September 23rd; I have chosen to feature a different yet equally vital side of my music: arranging. I want to bring the rhythm section to the front and utilize what are normally lead instruments (guitar and sax) in a supportive role. I chose compositions written over the last two years and rearranged them to showcase the bass and drums and their interaction with the piano. The result should be a new sound........more of a cohesive group sound than the traditional small ensemble. I look forward to performing my music in this way and ideally will be as suprised as the listener by the outcome. Finally, I would like to thank the members of The Taken Back Quartet who are the composers in residence for The JAZZ COMPOSER'S FORUM . They make it possible for composers like myself to play their music in a listening environment. Thank you also to each of you who attends the monthly concerts for your support makes this forum for new music possible. Thank you to all the friends who talk about the concerts and distribute fliers. And a special Thanks to Sharon LaMotte whose focused efforts and true love for " the music " we play insure the continued success of the JAZZ COMPOSER'S FORUM. " Bill Gerhardt composer/pianist NYC


Bill Gerhardt and Taken Back Quartet at Bele Chere 2002 in Asheville




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