The Band

The New York Jazzharmonic, in its very few years of existence, has established itself as a leader in the New York arts world in performing and commissioning dance and music, and in audience building and fundraising. The band has self-presented several concert series over the last few years to enthusiastic audiences. With its partnership with the Ashley Bouder Project it has instigated a unique concentration towards the art of women composers and choreographers to critical acclaim.

Artistic Leadership

Photo credit: Diana Mino

Artistic Director, Ron Wasserman has, in the few short years since he founded the orchestra, put together quite the track record. For the large ensemble, 15 or so commisioned premieres by about 10 or 12 different composers. Our traditional jazz subset recorded its first album in 2017, which included some originals, and a tribute to James Reese Europe, Scott Joplin, and Jelly Roll Morton. In Ron Wasserman's other activities with various other smaller ensembles he presented a host of original music, culminating in 5 chamber salon concerts all of music by women composers. Our first big-band recording is set for April 2019, and a new concert series is on the drawing board.

He got his start in the music business at age three by helping his father set up the drum set for the ice show at the 1964 World's Fair. His first experience with the classics was at age 12 under the baton of Leonard Bernstein while singing in the children's chorus at the Metropolitan Opera, and his first performance as a bassist on a professional symphonic job was at age 15 performing with the New York Philharmonic as a member of the All-City High School Orchestra in an educational concert.

Since his first professional gig in 1979 at age 18, he has logged close to 5,000 performances in virtually every imaginable performing arts genre, including over 900 performances of “The Nutcracker” as a member of the NYC Ballet Orchestra. As a composer he has four CDs of original music to his credit and his music has been performed in the US, Italy, Scotland, France, and the Dominican Republic. www.trilaterus.com

photo credit: Hiroyuki Seo

Associate Director: Lauded in Downbeat as one of “25 for the Future”, Tokyo born composer Miho Hazama is quickly establishing herself as a one of New York’s most astounding young talents. Now having 2 full length releases on Sunnyside Records, Miho developed her signature jazz chamber orchestra “m_unit” and expertly showcased the abilities of guest artists such as Joshua Redman, Lionel Loueke and Gil Goldstein, to name a few. As the 2015 recipient of the BMI Charlie Parker Composition Prize, Miho has written commissioned compositions for Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Morgaua Quartet and more. As an arranger and director, Miho has worked with Vince Mendoza, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Metropole Orkest, Danish Radio Big Band, and WDR Big Band, to name a few. As the winner of the 24th Idemitsu Music Award, Miho is also the Composer in Residence at Siena Wind Orchestra, and the Associate Artistic Director of New York Jazzharmonic. www.mihohazama.com

photo credit: Diana Mino

New York City Ballet Principal, and international dance superstar Ashley Bouder was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and began her ballet training at the age of six at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale Weary. After attending the 1999 Summer Program at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, she was invited by SAB to continue her training during the Winter Session. Ms. Bouder was named an apprentice with New York City Ballet in June 2000 and became a member of the corps de ballet that October. She was promoted to the rank of soloist in February 2004, and in January 2005, Ms. Bouder was promoted to principal dancer.

Ms. Bouder has danced in ballet galas around the world and guest starred in companies including the Paris Opera Ballet, Rome Opera Ballet, and the Mariinsky Ballet. She has been awarde Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise at the School of American Ballet as a student. As a professional her awards include the Janice Levin Honoree from the New York City Ballet, the Miss Expressivity for 2011 and the Miss Virtuosity for 2013 from the Dance Open Gala, and a 2014 Benois de la Danse nomination.

www.theashleybouderproject.com

Musicians. Slightly rotating cast, but primarily drawn from:

Saxophones:
altos:
Patrick Bartley
Ben Kono
Jay Rattman (trad-jazz sextet)
Vito Chiavuzzo
Charlotte Greve
tenors:
Roxy Coss
Marybeth Kern
Lucas Pino
Jason Rigby
Anna Webber
Jeremy Powell
baritone:
Andrew Gutauskas

Brass
Trumpets
Nathan Eklund
Sam Hoyt
David Smith
Matt Holman
John Lake
Chris Rogers
Jonathan Powell
Joseph Boga (trad-jazz sextet)
Danny Jonokuchi
Trombones:
Corey A. Wallace (trad-jazz sextet)
Darius Christian Jones
Matt McDonald
Nick Finzer
Alan Ferber
Jen Hinkle
Max Seigal
Becca Patterson

Rhythm Section:
Piano:
Martha Kato
Arcoiris Sandoval
Billy Test (trad-jazz sextet)
Chris Ziemba
Guitar:
Sebastian Noelle
Olli Hirvonen
Bass:
Ron Wasserman
Aiden O'Donnell
Evan Gregor
Marty Kenney
Drums:
Henry Conwerway III, (trad-jazz sextet)
Jay Sawyer
Daniel Dor