ROVA: Classic Quartet / Ensembles-on-Demand

Rova is one of the longest-standing groups in the music movement that has its roots in post-bop, free jazz, avant-rock, and 20th century new music. The Quartet's musical goal has always been, since 1978, to instigate, to challenge, and to inspire. The group explores the synthesis of composition and collective improvisation, creating exciting, genre-bending music. Following their November 2015 European Tour and the Rova Retrospective at The Stone, the four gentleman are returning to Europe in November/December 2016 with the following projects:

➡ ROVA SAXOPHONE QUARTET Personnel: Larry Ochs – Tenor and Sopranino Saxophones; Bruce Ackley – Soprano and Tenor Saxophones; Jon Raskin – Baritone and Alto Saxophones; Steve Adams – Alto and Sopranino Saxophones | Available projects: Rova Plays Lacy: "Saxophone Special" Video I, Video II; Rova's "Sound-in-Space" Video

➡ SAX + DRUMS: "ROVA SPECIAL SEXTET" Personnel: Rova Quartet plus two Guest Drummers | Previous ensembles included Rova Plus: Paul Lytton and Raymond Strid (in Germany); William Winant and Gino Robair (in San Francisco); Fabrizio Spera and Cristiano Calcagnile (in Venice and St. Johann); Tatsuya Yoshida and Samm Bennett (in Tokyo); Vladimir Tarasov and Fritz Hauser (in Vilnius), Michael Vatcher and Tony Buck (in Amsterdam) & Jakob Warmenbol and Eric Heestermans (in Antwerp, November 2015) | Audio I, Audio II

➡ CHANNELING COLTRANE – ELECTRIC ASCENSION Personnel: All-Star Band: Rova plus Nels Cline, Fred Frith, Hamid Drake, Rob Mazurek, Carla Kihlstedt, Jenny Scheinman, Ikue Mori, Chris Brown. | Video I, Video II Electric Ascension is also available for European Festivals to be performed by Rova plus "local" musicians. Past Performances & Personnels Rova's Electric Ascension sold out event at Le Poisson Rouge — presented by NYC' Winter Jazzfest on Sunday January 17th, also celebrated the long-awaited release of John Rogers’ exultant 2012 concert video and revealing documentary, Rova Channeling Coltrane, An All-In-One CD/DVD/Blu-Ray Package released on the renowned French label RogueArt. The release includes: A beautiful concert video of Electric Ascension performed live at the 2012 Guelph Jazz Festival; A documentary on Electric Ascension, "Cleaning the Mirror;" An audio recording of Electric Ascension from Guelph. Reviews: The Free Jazz Collective, The New York Times, KQED's California Report

➡ HOMAGE TO LAWRENCE BUTCH MORRIS: "NO FAVORITES" In June of 2015 in San Francisco, Rova produced a complete evening of extended compositions collectively entitled No Favorites: Music for Lawrence ‘Butch’ Morris. The three pieces highlight long-time Rova improvisational strategies, including Rova’s unique hand-cueing system. These pieces complemented each other brilliantly in performance and led to a standing ovation from the San Francisco audience. It was the perfect lead-in to an early July recording session that will be released by New World Records in fall, 2016. OrkestRova 2015 was comprised of Rova on saxophones, a “string quartet” of violin, viola, cello, and acoustic bass, plus a “power trio” of electric guitar, electric bass and drum kit. In the spirit of Butch Morris’ music, a conductor is employed, either by having one of the Rova members making the conduction-cues, or by drawing in a 12th musician to act as “conductionist.” In this case that guest conductor was San Francisco luminary Gino Robair. Read More | Video

Rova Saxophone Quartet also offers exciting workshop opportunities that promote a deeper understanding of graphic notation and the practices involved in the performance of pieces that utilize graphic elements. Workshops may be tailored towards performers or general concert goers. BIO | PRESS | BOOKING ENQUIRY