The Westerlies & Vuyo Sotashe, vocals: Winter Morning Walks

Overview

“How does a four-piece [brass] combo earn raves from both indie-leaning music blogs and public radio, while also performing at the Newport Jazz Festival and local rock clubs?

The answer can be heard in the New York City-based band occupying a lively territory between jazz, folk, and chamber music, with bracing melodies and an undeniable sense of fun,” wrote the LA Times about The Westerlies. The ensemble returns to our stage following a sold-out performance with singer-songwriter Robin Pecknold, bringing an adaptation of composer-bandleader Maria Schneider’s haunting and lyrical song cycle Winter Morning Walks. Schneider’s triple Grammy-winning recording of the work – with lyrics by former US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser – featured soprano Dawn Upshaw. The Westerlies’ adaptation features the stunningly beautiful vocals of South African jazz singer Vuyo Sotashe, who approaches the work as a set of jazz songs more than art songs. Completing the program is the 92NY commission of a new work by acclaimed contemporary classical composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone, also the creative force behind the Brooklyn-based band San Fermin.