Skeleton Key Orchestra/more

so michael told me it would be nice to mention a few heroes/influences, and the more i thought about it, i thought it would be good to put together a collection/resource of large creative music ensembles/orchestras. this page is still in the works and this list is by no means complete, but lists most of my favorites - my apologizes to anyone i've forgotten - anybody that works in this medium deserves all the respect we can give them - cheers - nathan

Muhal Richard Abrams -

Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra - Alexander von Schlippenbach's more recent large group, which works in the divide between more traditional "jazz" forms and rhythms and the longstanding traditions of European free-improvisation. Beyond the BCJO's work commisioning new pieces from composers (Misha Mengleberg, Kenny Wheeler, etc.), the groups has also performed and recorded many of Schlippenbachs works - in my mind some of his finest writing to date. Links - BCJO - Bio

Anthony Braxton -

Peter Brotzmann -

Ornette Coleman - Genius. From the Double Quartet to the Chappaqua Suite, from Skies of America to today, Ornette's innovations, compositions and playing (not to mention how he integrates everything) continue to be a major inspiration. Just ask Norma.........

John Coltrane - Although Coltrane is perhaps best remembered for his saxophone playing, i've always found inpsiration and joy in his explorations into larger ensembles, from Africa Brass to Acsension and his other late works.

Duke Ellington Orchestra - The master of masters. What better place to find inspiration in forming your own unique harmonic language, how to bring tradition and innovation together, how to keep a band together and how to write for specific voices in mind. Favorites - New Orleans Suite (the first Ellington record i bought), Black, Brown and Beige, The Far East Suite, The Queen Suite. Links - Duke Ellington (a horrible site setup to turn the Ellington legacy into commerce) - Duke - miss you madly

Marco Eneidi New Jungle Orchestra -

Pierre Favre European Chamber Ensemble -

Vinny Golia Large Ensemble - Vinny Golia formed his Large Ensemble in 1982, which means Golia has kept his band together for over 20 years - an incredible feat considering the climate for this music on the left coast. Beyond this, Golia writes amazing music - thick, difficult music that makes you think and gives me the inspiration to get up in the morning. SKO was fortunate to be able to commission six pieces from Golia for the Trummerflora Spring Reverb festival in 2004.

Barry Guy London Jazz Composers Orchestra - Barry Guy's longstanding large ensemble is the reason i write for this medium. Amazing players, incredible compositions, hair-raising improvisations. The recording Ode continues to be my favorite, but each period of the LJCO offers so much for the possibilities of large ensembles.

Barry Guy New Orchestra -

Jeff Kaiser Ockodektet -

King Ubu Orchestra -

Kreative Orchestra Los Angeles -

George Lewis - George Lewis' work for creative music orchestra forms a small portion of his work as trombonist, scholar, composer and programmer. But this work and its deeper look into the interaction between players, notation and improvisation have been a major inspiration.

Globe Unity Orchestra -

Mike Mantler Jazz Composers Orchestra -

Roscoe Mitchell -

Moe!kestra -

New Art Orchestra - On a solo tour in 2003, in a record store in Seattle, i found a tape marked NAO II Greatest Hits and Christmas Favorites. The music that played back to me in the car was a revelation - several tracks from a christmas gig at the Sea-Tac Airport in 1985, amazing improvisations and incredible compositions. NAO were a working group in Seattle from roughly 1985-1990. A life changing moment bundled up in a TDK blank tape that i got for free - thank you NAO.

NOW Orchestra -

Tony Oxley Celebration Orchestra - Oxley formed the Celebration Orchestra in 1984, and has released two documents of his music for large ensemble. Beyond these recordings, Oxley has performed (and recorded) with his group regularly, presenting pieces for orchestra and tape, orchestra and pipe band, orchestra and three prepared pianos, etc. I'm just waiting for all this music to be released, not to mention Oxley's early pieces written for the LJCO.

William Parker Little Huey Creative Orchestra -

Sam Rivers -

Scott Rosenberg - Links - Barely Auditable Records

Wadada Leo Smith -

Cecil Taylor - i first heard Cecil Taylor's music when i was 18 years old. Since that time, this music has continued to push, confront and inspire me. From solo to large ensemble, the breadthe of his vocabulary is awe-inspiring. I love his Orchestra of Two Continents recording, and his recordings on FMP are also amazing.....

Kenny Wheeler - Kenny Wheelers music for large ensemble has always given me inspiration in bringing disparing elements together. Put that together with his amazing harmonic and melodic language and you have everything necessary to challenge the boundaries of what improvised music can and will do.