Comprised of some of the Midwest's top improvisers, guitarist & composer sensation leads powerhouse modern jazz ensemble in return to BLU for an exclusive live concert recording & filming! Featuring Dan Bruce, Chris Coles, Brad Wagner, Caleb Smith, Theron Brown, Aidan Plank, Anthony Taddeo.
Guitarist and composer Daniel Bruce presents the newest lineup of his acclaimed ensemble the :beta collective! The group will be performing all original material for a live filming.
A powerhouse group of the Midwest’s top improvisers, Dan Bruce’s :beta collective is a modern jazz ensemble that performs original compositions and highly personalized arrangements of jazz standards. The members’ unique musical identities combine to form a powerful and unmistakable group sound. A hallmark of the compositions is the interaction between thoroughly composed music and free improvisation, much of it set to expansive and driving grooves.
Chris Coles - alto sax, tenor sax, vocoder
Brad Wagner - soprano sax, tenor sax, bass clarinet
Caleb Smith - trombone
Theron Brown - keys, melodica
Aidan Plank - bass, electric bass
Anthony Taddeo - drums, percussion
Daniel Bruce - electric guitar, nylon string guitar, programming
The new album, Earthshine, garnered a 4.5 star review from All About Jazz. Critic Troy Dostert writes, “…a generous, accessible sound with an exploratory edge, Bruce brings a finely-polished technique that is at the same time subtly discontent, searching for new expressions and willing to take some chances along the way.”