The Jamie Begian Big Band

Tuesday, July 20, 2010: The Jamie Begian Big Band

Composer/guitarist Jamie Begian is an emerging and unique voice on the jazz horizon.   His 17 piece labor of love, a.k.a. The Jamie Begian Big Band, is fast becoming one of the "must-see" ensembles in New York City.  This group, established in 1998, has earned praise from The Village Voice calling it "... some of the most gorgeous post-Gil hues in recent memory."  TimeOut NY praises it as "...a crack large ensemble..." while All About Jazz labeled it "... a rigorous encounter with the entire history of eclectic big band composition..."   Jamie's compositions have won honors as well.  In 2001 he was the winner of the "Charlie Parker Award," presented by the prestigious BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, for his piece Fuzzy Math; the same award he was nominated for in 2000 with his piece Oops!

Jamie's road to becoming a big band leader is as much a story of dedication as it is a story of opportunity.  Jamie's initial study was jazz guitar; earning a BM from the Hartt School of Music in Jazz Performance and a MM  in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music.  His interest in composing began while an undergrad at U. Hart, writing music for small groups that he was performing in.  This interest continued in his graduate studies at The Manhattan School and eventually led to his involvement in The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop; a workshop dedicated to the art of large ensemble composition.  His emerging style was also evident in his work as a guitarist, both as a leader and as a sideman.  The formation of The Jamie Begian Trio in 1997, featuring David Ambrosio on bass and Peter Retzlaff on drums, and their five-year run at Merchants Restaurant solidified Jamie's musical conception; elements of playfulness, freedom of form, modern harmony and a basis in blues/jazz tradition.