Regularly part of the 22-piece Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra, the JCA Strings are stepping out to present an evening of cutting-edge chamber music. New works from the trio and the JCAO composers mark this debut performance. Jazz, rock, funk, punk, folk, free, and blended genres are all fair game. Berklee professors Mimi Rabson and Helen Sherrah-Davies join forces with world-class cellist, Alef Ben, to explore new possibilities for this unique ensemble. Mimi and Helen play 5-string violins expanding the options. Grooves, improvisation and fabulous ensemble playing make this a chamber group that brings the drama.
Dubbed "...dazzling, violin phenom" by the Boston Globe, Mimi Rabson has distinguished herself as one of Boston's most creative and versatile musicians. She is a first-prize winner of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowship in composition. She is a composer and performer with the Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra - a cutting edge big band. Ms. Rabson was a founding member of the Klezmer Conservatory Band and appeared with Itzhak Perlman on the recording called “In the Fiddler’s House”.
“... one of the elite players on Boston’s jazz-world fusion scene.” – The Boston Phoenix
" Great chops and attitude to match."- The Washington Post
"Truly original and marvelous." - Sir Yehudi Menuhin
Helen Sherrah-Davies credits include recording with Herbie Flowers (Sky, T-Rex) performing with Jon Lord (Deep Purple), at the wedding of Posh Spice to David Beckham. the Montepulciano Opera Festival Orchestra, with Birdsong at Morning and with Planet Microjam Institute at the Jazz Festival in Genoa, Italy. Her debut recording as lead, “StarStuff”, is jazz-infected, synaesthetic inspired & trans-stylistic originals.
“A richly beautiful album. In a league-of-its-own brilliance” (Neal Richardson, Splash Point Music, UK)
Brilliant cellist, Alef Ben, is equally at home conducting an orchestra, playing with the circus and teaching beginners of all ages. His buoyant musical voice radiates joy and lifts the trio to new possibilities.
