Announcing: The Human Revolution Orchestra 2015

SGI UK PRESENTS ‘ODE TO THE HUMAN SPIRIT’ A CELEBRATION OF UNESCO JAZZ DAY featuring ROBIN EUBANKS with THE HUMAN REVOLUTION ORCHESTRA and GUESTS

APRIL 30TH 2015, UNION CHAPEL, ISLINGTON, LONDON

7PM DOORS 7.45pm concert

TICKETS £22   available from www.unionchapel.org.uk

For further information contact:   Lisa Cowan at lisa.cowan@sgi-uk.org or Sean Corby at seanshoju@gmail.com

This year, internationally renowned trombonist and composer Robin Eubanks will join the stellar Human Revolution Orchestra as a special guest for ‘Ode To The Human Spirit 2015’ on April 30th in London.

Ode To The Human Spirit 2015

To celebrate UNESCO World Jazz Day 2015, an initiative led by world- renowned jazz musician and SGI member Herbie Hancock, SGI-UK will present a concert featuring The Human Revolution Orchestra, the most visionary and diverse large ensemble to have emerged in the UK since the Jazz Warriors, Loose Tubes and Brotherhood of Breath in the 1980’s, comprising of some of the finest jazz musicians in the UK and very special guests Robin Eubanks, Jason Singh and Jason Yarde.

The event seeks to celebrate jazz as a symbol of unity and peace: its universalism and inclusivity, freedom of expression, artistic innovation. There is a Buddhist principle called 'many in body, one in mind' (Itai Doshin) which expresses a kind of unity towards a shared yet deeply personal commitment to an overarching goal or idea. The Human Revolution Orchestra aims to be a model of solidarity among people working to create positive change in the world through respectful and spontaneous collaboration. And in so doing, touch the hearts of all who encounter them.

“Jazz has been a force for positive social transformation throughout its history, and it remains so today. This is why UNESCO created International Jazz Day. From its roots in slavery, this music has raised a passionate voice against all forms of oppression. It speaks a language of freedom that is meaningful to all cultures. The same goals guide UNESCO in its efforts to build bridges of dialogue and understanding between all cultures and societies.”

Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General

SGI-UK

Soka Gakkai International is a lay Buddhist network dedicated to personal inner-change and social contribution in 192 countries and territories. Rooted in the life affirming philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism, members of SGI share a commitment to the promotion of peace, culture and education.

As a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with formal ties to the UN, SGI is active in the fields of humanitarian relief and public education, with a focus on peace, sustainable development and human rights.

Robin Eubanks

SGI USA Buddhist Robin Eubanks is the premier trombonist of his generation. Whether performing with his groups Mental Images or EB3, or with SF Jazz Collective, and Dave Holland Quintet/Big Band, Robin is an artist whose impact has proven powerful and lasting.

Robin began studying music at the age of eight and continued through college, when he graduated cum laud from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Following his graduation, the young trombonist moved to New York City where he began a career that has since yielded an amazing array of collaborations with such notable artists as Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Eddie Palmieri, Sun Ra, Barbra Streisand, The Rolling Stones and Talking Heads –just to name a few. He’s won Grammys for his performances on Michael Becker’s Wide Angles and Dave Holland’s What Goes Around.

For the last several years, Robin has divided his rigorous performing schedule with an appointment at The Oberlin College Conservatory where in addition to his own recordings, his compositions can be heard on several Dave Holland Quintet and Big Band recordings. The Mingus Big Band has also recorded his arrangements. Colleges and universities throughout the United States are performing Robin’s original works and have arranged his music for their ensembles.

Other notable commissions include: Cause and Effect, which had its world premier with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra in 2003; string and horn arrangements for Freddie Cole's recording, This Is Always; Cross Currents for the late great JJ Johnson’s Grammy nominated recording, The Brass Orchestra; and an arrangement of Genesis for McCoy Tyner's Big Band.

THE HUMAN REVOLUTION ORCHESTRA

Personell

Robin Eubanks- Trombone

Trumpets

Noel Langley (Music Director)

Byron Wallen

Yazz Ahmed

Sean Corby (Artistic Director)

Trombones

Nathaniel Cross

Harry Brown

Jon Enright

Richard Henry

Saxes

Martin Speake

Christian Brewer

Jason Yarde

Nadim Teimoori

Denys Baptiste

Gemma Moore

Vocals

Randolph Matthews

Voice and Electronics

Jason Singh

Drums

Rod Youngs

Cosimo Keita Cadore

Bass

Larry Bartley

Dermot McNeil

Nigel Thomas

Guitar

Carl Orr

Piano

Simon Purcell

Percussion

Graeme Evelyn

Neville Murray