Igmar Thomas’ Revive Big Band: A Musical Movement
“We’re carrying on within the tradition of big bands, what would be relevant today- modifying the message, and making it translatable and accessible to the people, so that they have something to connect to. We represent that bridge.” -Igmar Thomas
Heralded by the Village Voice for having New York City’s “most electrifying young lions in jazz,” Revive Big Band has a finger on the pulse of today’s emerging progressive sound while pointing to things yet to come for a new era of music. Founded in 2010 by trumpeter, maestro and composer Igmar Thomas, this multi-generational ensemble knows no limits in seeking to advance, celebrate and re-imagine sonic freedom in big band form.
Featuring a world-class cadre of musicians who have consistently bridged the divides between art forms such as trombonist Ku-umba Frank Lacy, critically acclaimed pianist Marc Cary, Thelonious Monk Competition winner Ben Williams, Revive/Blue Note recording artist drummer Otis Brown III and saxophonist Marcus Strickland, the Revive Big Band is more than just a big band; it is a movement. The Revive Big Band symbolizes the voice of a new generation of musicians and audiences that hunger for a more expansive notion of jazz- one that exists in real time, reflecting a dynamic synthesis of their influences and experiences all while leaning towards the future.
Making its debut in 2010 at George Wein’s CareFusion Jazz Festival, the Big Band has gone on to perform at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater, Blue Note Jazz Club, Central Park SummerStage, BRIC, DV Jazz Fest, Winter JazzFest, Art of Cool Festival amongst others. With 27 Grammy nominations and 13 Grammy wins, the band has been lauded by the New York Times, NPR, Okayplayer, Downbeat, and Billboard. They’ve performed alongside Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Sting, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, J. Cole, Common, D’Angelo, Jill Scott, Dizzy Gillespie, Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, Talib Kweli, Bilal, and Slick Rick.
The Revive Big Band’s well-honed musical sensibilities powerfully synthesize the art of the beat, treatment of melody, reverence of the standard, and nuances of sound and time. It expands the contemporary canon of composition and dwells at the crossroads of jazz, hip hop, soul and beyond. The band's repertoire features original compositions and inventive orchestrations of jazz standards and contemporary classics by artists ranging from Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard and Oliver Nelson to A Tribe Called Quest, J Dilla, Gangstarr, Bilal and more, in rare live performances.
The Revive Big Band is setting the standard for innovation and excellence, merging tradition with groundbreaking creativity.
