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Content from KIOS staff relating to jazz, blues, and all kinds of music.

Last Call Review: Rob Mazurek's Exploding Star Orchestra/ Galactic Parables, Vol. 1/Cuneiform

Rob Mazurek's latest project explores the frontiers of jazz with total assurance.

Cornetist, composer and conceptualist Rob Mazurek has released an ambitious recording that follows in the direction of his most recent ensemble work.  Galactic Parables: Vol. 1 presents Mazurek in the company of accomplished jazz artists who he has worked with before:  Damon Locks - text, voice, electronics / Angelica Sanchez - piano / Nicole Mitchell - flutes, voice / Jeff Parker - guitar / John Herndon - drums / Matthew Lux - electric bass / Matthew Bauder - tenor sax, clarinet / Chad Taylor - drums / Guilherme Ganado - keyboard, samplers, synth, voice / Mauricio Takara - cavaquinho, electronics, percussion. 

Together they create eleven tracks of elctronic, cosmic jazz that will thrill the eardrums. "Collections Of Time" is the standout track, where Mazurek's cornet artistry is featured against the kaleidoscope of colors created by his ensemble. 

Cornetist Rob Mazurek is an artist with a seemingly limitless ability to create musical melodies and colors. Mazurek divides his time between activities in Chicago where he first came to prominence in the 1990s and  São Paulo, Brazil, where he has made an impact on the adventuresome music scene. Mazurek's recent recordings with the São Paulo Underground (last year's release was the adventuresome Beija Flors Vehlo E Sujo) have documented an impressive body of work recorded with some of the top artists on the Brazilian music scene.  Additionally, Mazurek is an active leader and force in several other ensembles,  including Exploding Star Orchestra, Pharoah and the Underground (featuring Pharoah Sanders), Chicago Underground, Pulsar Quartet, São Paulo Underground, Skull Sessions, SOUND IS Quintet, Starlicker, Mandarin Movie, Tigersmilk and Throne of the House of Good and Evil.  Adding to his role as a cornetist and composer, Mazurek is also an adept artist with computer programming, electronic efx and an assortment of keyboards. He is also a visual artist (incorporating sound, painting and video) with numerous international performances, exhibitions and artist residencies.
 

In person Mazurek can create music that will remain with the listener with years to come. This writer attended a live performance by Mazurek some years ago at the Bemis Underground in Omaha. Appearing with the Chicago Underground Duo, Mazurek's artistry was one of the most profound statements of inspired music ever heard by this jazz fan.

For more information you may visit http://www.robmazurek.com/

You may also visit http://www.cuneiformrecords.com/

Chris Cooke has been a voice on public radio in Omaha since 1989. Working at KVNO-FM during college, Cooke hosted a weekend progressive jazz show on the station in addition to working as an on-air announcer. In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music and presenting those conversations with listeners. When not hosting or listening to jazz, on record or in person, Cooke maintains a busy schedule as a self-employed web design consultant.
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