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Press Release
September 29, 2000
The Astral Project
Returns to the AfterThought Monday October 9, 8PM
[Little Rock, AR.] --- An outstanding New Orleans jazz group, known as the Astral Project, returns to the AfterThought in Little Rock on Monday October 9, 8 PM, tickets $10.
Astral Project is considered by many to be the best working band in their home town. They've played together since 1978, and have been around for a number of Jazz and Heritage festivals, playing a brand of jazz that's cohesive and creative. Astral Project was the first group that Bobby McFerrin ever sang with.
They're one of New Orleans' favorite bands, and a band that, according to Down Beat magazine is "one of the most distinctive and cohesive quintets in jazz of the 90's."
JazzTimes proclaimed Astral Project as "one of the more adventurous working units in modern jazz today." They describe the players on the CD VooDooBop in exemplary terms: "An undulating, syncopated groove by drummer Johnny Vidacovich ... authoritative, thumping upright basslines of James Singleton. ... strategically placed chordal voicings by pianist David Torkanowsky,... fleet-fingered unison lines by saxophonist Tony Dagradi and guitarist Steve Masakowski..."
True to the original spirit of jazz, Astral Project creates real tunes -- memorable melodies -- while giving the musicians freedom to incorporate influences from all sources. Like a flock of birds in flight, the group shifts direction with an ease so uncanny it seems to verge on telepathy. It's an ease that can come only from special individuals who have spent 20 years improvising together. "If I close my eyes," says James Singleton, "I can learn more, I get more. You find it's a transcendent experience. It's a spiritual experience in a way. Because you find you become part of a larger thing. It reinforces your faith - in God and existence, human existence. It heals you."
Astral Project will play at the AfterThought on Monday October 9, 2000, at 8pm. Tickets are $10, available in advance at the Afterthought (663-1196) or Capitol Keyboard (228-9999).
FOR PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT : Cecil Rich at Captiol Keyboard 228-9999 or James Thomson 663-5264.
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