JAZZICAL

Jazzical is one of the most innovative musical ideas sweeping the country today, utilizing motifs from classical piano repertoire as subjects for jazz interpretations for solo piano, chamber ensemble or jazz combo, and orchestra. A true marriage of classical and jazz, it is designed to bridge the gap between classical and jazz music and its audiences while remaining true to both forms.

Conceived by concert pianist Joel A. Martin in 1994, during the last decade Jazzical® has evolved into a complete art form. He has released four CDs in the series to critical acclaim. Jazzical® is not a hybrid genre-rather, it is a new genre which upholds the integrity of both the classical and jazz traditions, while simultaneously creating something new and authentic.

Historically, classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Liszt, Chopin, Schumann were also performers. They often made extemporaneous changes from one performance to the next. Consequently, Jazzical® was developed with this premise in mind: if they were alive today, what elements from 20^th century America’s musical tableaux would the great masters use to augment their compositions? Jazz, of course!

In the early 1900s black American musicians fused quadrilles, polkas, and marching band music with elements of the Negro spiritual and African rhythms to form jazz. They share many common elements including the rules of Western harmony, chordal structure, measure, meter and construction. While the concept of improvisation can be misleading, both classical and jazz use theme, variation and recapitulation to achieve resolution. The key difference in exploring theme and variation, versus theme and improvisation is that in the former, the performer plays the music of the composer, whereas in the latter, the performer is the composer.

During the 20^th century, such modern classical composers as Stravinsky, Ravel and Gershwin sometimes experimented with idioms from African and other traditions, but these ideas were never fully realized. Martin has successfully merged the worlds of jazz and classical without trivializing the original classical elements or destroying the art of jazz improvisation. Performed as a chamber piece employing jazz combos, solo piano, or with full symphonic orchestra, Jazzical® is a true artistic endeavor, affirming its classical antecedents and its jazz heritage, while offering the simple pleasures of musical enjoyment, intellectual stimulation and spiritual uplift.

Developed by creator/pianist Joel A. Martin, Jazzical captures the dynamic force of multiple cultures and influences, unleashing a kinetic energy that breaks down boundaries and yields whole new worlds of musical expression.

Perestroika, the 4th CD in the series pays homage to Russian romanticism in the most interesting undertaking - transforming the music of Rachmaninoff, Scriabin and Tchaikovsky into swinging 60s jazz - you almost feel like you stepped into Birdland! Cool is the word, with all the magic and power of these Russian legends.

Brazil, the third release in the Jazzical series, is fast gaining critical and popular momentum (see Reviews) as Martin's unique sound continues to rock the national airwaves. But be forewarned: Brazil does not arouse the typical reaction. Martin draws his listeners into the creative process, taking them by the hand on a soulful, stimulating journey that only intensifies with repetition.

With a magical, masterful touch, Martin's background as a world-class concert pianist is always evident as he deftly renders Chopin, Debussy alongside French, American, Spanish and British art songs, evoking heightened meaning through the rhythmic, sensual counterpoint of Brazilian jazz. Teasing the palate with a taste of Martin's honeyed vocal tones, Brazil represents the most fully integrated embodiment of the Jazzical spirit to date. It is an ever-evolving tribute to Martin's relentless struggle to rediscover old paths that take him - and his listeners -- to wholly uncharted terrain.

Martin's first two Jazzical CD's, "Jazzical: A Marriage of Classical and Jazz" and "Tis the Season for Jazzical" similarly resonate with a joint reverence for tradition and innovation. Building ethereal, gilded castles on a classical foundation, Martin's powerful mastery of the canon is reborn through jazz inspiration. Featured composers include Beethoven, Shubert, Chopin and Debussy.

Looking toward the future, Martin continues to broaden the spectrum of his creative vernacular - expanding the body of classical pieces, jazz influences and multicultural inspirations that vitalize and characterize his work. Striving always to evolve with and through his music, Martin views Jazzical as a continually growing ecumenical art form animated by his own dynamic life force. Through Jazzical, Martin hopes to reawaken his listeners - just as he perpetually reawakens himself -- to rediscover the subtle richness of old favorites while exploring fantastical new realms of creative expression.