January 21–28, 1999

critic pick

The Ken Schaphorst Big Band

"I have a sort of ambivalent relationship with the jazz big band tradition," says Ken Schaphorst. Coming from the director of jazz studies at Wisconsin's Lawrence University, it's a somewhat disconcerting statement. Schaphorst does teach his students about big band's history and conventions. Yet the trumpeter/bandleader/teacher describes his own original big band compositions as an experiment in writing "around" tradition.

Purple (Naxos Jazz), the latest offering by Schaphorst's powerful 18-piece ensemble, documents his eclectic approach. There are a few traces of Ellington and Sun Ra, as well as stylistic allusions to funk, bebop, free jazz and kitschy spy music. It's a testament to Schaphorst's arranging skills that the result sounds less like a grab bag and more like a seamlessly shifting exploration of sounds.

Essentially, the Ken Schaphorst Big Band, formed in Boston 10 years ago, is shaped by the diverse identities of its members. Schaphorst describes the members of his ensemble—which includes Drew Gress, Josh Roseman, Seamus Blake, John Medeski, Uri Caine, Cuong Vu and Brad Shepik—as the "primary influences" in this particular repertoire.

The band's appearance at Swarthmore College marks a homecoming for its leader, who grew up and attended school in Jenkintown. Is Swarthmore ready for Schaphorst?

"I think there'll be a shock here and there," he says, "but I like to think that my music will have something for everyone… even the Main Liners."

-Nate Chinen

Ken Schaphorst Big Band, Fri., Jan. 22, 8 p.m., free, Lang Hall, Swarthmore College, 610-328-8200.