JAZZICAL® is a celebration of creative fusion -- it's the explosive union of classical composition and jazz innovation ignited with a fresh spirit all its own. Created by composer/pianist Joel A. Martin in 1994, 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.
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.
Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Liszt, and Chopin were master performers and improvisors. They never performed the same way twice. Jazzical® was created on this premise: If they were alive today, what 20th century music would be used to augment their masterful compositions? Everything!
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Jazzical: Spirit! CD
Experience the magic of Jazzical for yourself.
Joel is currently on the Jazzical Spirit Tour of Churches 2011-2012
Orchestrating, arranging and producing Stan Satlin's 2 hour work "Auratorio Americana" for choir and orchestra to premiere in NYC in the Fall.
Working & Recording with 4-time Grammy Winning cellist Eugene Friesen (Paul Winter Consort), and jazz bassist Vishnu Woods.
Commission for the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and soprano Harolyn Blackwell at the World Financial Center, NYC, Dec 2011.
Artistic Director - American Traditions Competition
for Singers 2012 in Savannah GA
Debussy Meets Monk
Prelude Book 1 - Sailes - Debussy
Jazzical: A Marriage of Classical and Jazz CD
Joel A. Martin is the creator and trademark owner of Jazzical®, a marriage of classical and jazz. He is an award-winning pianist who has performed his innovative Jazzical compositions as well as jazz and classical pieces both domestically and abroad, having played in Paris, London, Finland, Germany, Switzerland and Japan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan.
Joel has performed as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, and Delaware Symphony; the Springfield Symphony (MA) and Hartford Symphony Orchestras premiering Jazzical: Dueling Orchestras. He was the youngest competitor in the 1985 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and has toured Japan, Finland, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Germany, Austria, England, and France.
He has been featured most recently in a concert documentary on WCNY-PBS in Syracuse NY, on Black Entertainment Television's BET on Jazz , NBC , with feature print articles as Musical America , Keyboard Classics, and The New York Times.
As collaborator Joel has written music for and toured with famed operatic singers Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman as well as the Grammy Award winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus. He spent almost a decade as music director for the Cab Calloway Orchestra and the Boys Choir of Harlem. For the last 5 years Joel was the Gold Medal pianist/arranger for the American Traditions Vocal Competition in Savannah GA and is now ATC's Artistic Director.
His latest CD, Jazzical: Spirit! is the subject of a 50 city Jazzical Spirit Tour of Churches in 2011-2012. Joel is also working on a PBS hi definition special and CD for his latest innovation, the Jazzical Symphony Orchestra.
The Rach Man
Prelude in G minor - Rachmaninoff
Jazzical Perestroika CD
Pianist/Composer Joel A. Martin, the son of a Baptist minister, has had a long life in the church, having been music director for 2 Episcopal churches over the past 9 years as well as serving for 20+ years in other religious institutions. From such a broad experience Joel has assembled a collection of hymns, sacred classical, gospel and spiritual pieces that mean a great deal to him and breathed new life in his trademarked Jazzical® style. Selections include:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Give Me A Clean Heart O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Morning Has Broken Amazing Grace
Sermonette My Faith Looks Up to Thee Schubert's Ave Maria
Just A Closer Walk With The
In support of the CD, a 50 city Spirit Tour of Churches is underway for 2011-12. The purpose of the tour is to raise money for church outreach and community programs as well as create greater awareness for Jazzical.
"This CD and the tour is part of my mission to highlight the spirituality that exists in all of us regardless of our backgrounds through music. It is meant to bring people together. We all have songs on our lips and hearts, and some tunes truly resonate through our beings no matter the style of music or belief system. Jazzical: Spirit is a celebration of music, humanity, and spirituality."
JAZZICAL SPIRIT FLYER - Feb2011.pdf
JAZZICAL SPIRIT Q and A.pdf
Aug. 20, 2011 - Duo concert w/ 4-time Grammy Winning Cellist Eugene Friesen 8PM, Pushkin Gallery, Greenfield MA
Sept.18, 2011 - Jazzical Spirit, 11 AM _ St Paul's Episcopal Church Homecoming, 306 Peyton, Atlanta GA
Oct. 9, 2011 - Jazzical Spirit Concert, 4 PM _ Dunwoody United Methodist, 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd. Dunwoody, GA
Oct. 16, 2011 - Jazzical Trio _ Westfield State University, Master class for WSC Jazz and Classical Depts.
Oct. 26-27, 2011 - ATC 2012 Past Winners Concert w/ Maria Clark and Vale Rideout, Savannah, GA.
Nov. 1, 2011 - Lecturer, Jazzical: Thinking Outside the Box for Art and Life, U. Mass at Amherst, Amherst MA
Nov 6, 2011 at Iridium, NYC 9 PM with Broadway star Christine Pedi (Newsicals)
Nov 29, 2011 - Live videotape mini-concert of Stan Satlin's Auratorio, Peachtree Christian Church, Atlanta GA*
Dec. 10, 2011 - Paul Lieberman's "Ibeji" Live at Chianti's - Beverly MA
Dec. 15, 2011 - Brooklyn Youth Chorus w/ soprano Harolyn Blackwell (20 minute commissioned work-
World Financial Center, New York City
Dec. 17, 2011 - BYC presents Holiday Harmonies - Holiday concert with 20 minutes of Joel Holiday arrangements featuring soprano Harolyn Blackwell. Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn NY
*Jan. 23-28, 2012 - American Traditions Competition for Singers, Savannah GA (2nd year as Artistic Director!)
*Jan 27, 2012 - ATC Judges Concert, Live with Amanda McBroom and Liz Callaway
* Feb. 14, 2012 - Jazzical with Wilson Symphony Orchestra, Wilson NC.
*March 10-16 - Opera workshops clinician & pianist at Southern University and Savannah with Sherrill Milnes. TBA
*March 18. 2012 - "Auratorio Americana" Premiere and concert at Peacthree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta GA (details announced soon)
*May 1, 2012 - Tuesday Morning Music Club, Springfield MA.
A Marriage of Classical Jazz
Includes selections from Stravinsky's l'Histoire du Soldat, Chopin nocturnes, Schumann's piano cycle Carnaval, a Brahms intermezzo and innovative treatments of "Debussy Meets Monk" and "Baroque Gets Dizzy."
$15
Tis The Season for Jazzical
The music featured on this recording captures the purity of a live concert: no overdubs or equalization. Experience an intimate classical and jazz concert for solo piano in your own home. Works by Handel, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Debussy and MacDowell.
Jazzical Brazil
Come celebrate Spanish, British, French and American art songs from the 19th and 20th century, a Scriabin piano Etude and Chopin Nocturne set to the rhythms of Brazilian jazz. Inspired by Brazil's Antonio Carlos Jobim, this CD will make your spirits soar. Laissez les bons temps rouler -- let the good times roll!
Jazzical Perestroika
Released in October, 2005 this CD features the fantastic music of Russian classical composers Scriabin, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Rimsky-Korsakov as it becomes one with 1960s-style American jazz! A very unusual departure from the "usual" jazzical CD as this one features piano, bass, drums and tenor sax. And wait until you hear the playing!! Klassno jazz - Cool jazz!
Jazzical Christmas
Jazzical Spirit!
Celebrating the roots of Jazzical - the church - in unusual settings of songs like Ave Maria, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Sermonette, and Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, and Just A Closer Walk With Thee
It has always been the mission of Jazzical to push the envelope of its music, bringing more artists and musical groups into the performing and creative process. Jazzical evolved from solo piano, duo, trio, and quartet performances to big band, choir, symphony and Dueling Orchestras. The expansion of Jazzical into larger formats started in 1999 when the Friends of Music and Art for the Bedford (NY) Public School System approached Joel to create a Jazzical composition that would bring to the stage both the High School Choir and Jazz Band for a concert. The result of this effort was a performance of Montsaltvatge's "Cradle Song" for choir & jazz trio as well Chopin's C minor Prelude with the Jazz Band. Because of the unusual nature of this Jazzical-themed concert with many students participating in both groups, The New York Times wrote a full feature article. The concert was an overwhelming success and the lives of 120 students were enhanced because of the Jazzical experience.
After successfully bringing larger groups of musicians together through Jazzical, Martin was interested in creating a musical event that would unite TWO groups of ensembles playing simultaneously on stage. In 2003, he got that chance when Briarcliff High School (NY) approached him to create a Jazzical composition featuring their string orchestra program and jazz big band. The result of this major collaboration was Scriabin's "Preluda Swinga Samba."
On Feb. 12, 2004, Joel paired the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MA) with the Cab Calloway Orchestra for a pops concert. On the program was the "Preluda Swinga Samba" and a major 2 -orchestra expansion of the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #2. The success and review of this concert spurred Martin to continue the creation of more Jazzical works for jazz big band and symphony orchestra. In November 2005 with the help of several grants from educational foundations and private donations from around the country, Martin assembled a 12 piece big band and 19 piece chamber orchestra, an all-star lineup of some of the finest classical and jazz musicians in New York (from Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Thad Jones - Mel Lewis Big Band, Broadway Shows, etc) to rehearse and record in a three hour session 3 Jazzical compositions. (see the video on the left).
Martin was pleased with the progress of this new venture and later secured other opportunities for Dueling Orchestras with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, El Paso Symphony, and Wilson Barton Symphony Orchestra (NC). However, the dream of his own group remained unfulfilled until a chance meeting with the Darien Arts Center (CT) opened the door to the first ever Jazzical Symphony Orchestra in a completely sold out concert in Nov 2007. Ever since then, Martin has been writing and working to create a home for the Jazzical Symphony Orchestra in the NY/CT area as well as recording.
Look for the NYC debut of the Jazzical Symphony Orchestra in the Summer/Fall of 2011!
As a music educator and clinician, Martin has lectured and performed in countless public school systems, colleges and universities across the country and abroad. His innovative, one-of-a-kind Jazzical programs specifically geared toward the host school's needs, have taken long-term residencies at Enloe High School (2008 - Raleigh NC); YMCA-Center for the Creative Arts (2007 - Rome, NY) and El Paso TX schools (2006-2007). Over the years he has done major stints at Harrison High School, Briarcliff High School, Fox Lane High School (all in Westchester County NY), Westfield and Springfield MA, Hartford CT, Maryland, Oklahoma City Public Schools, and many others as part of a larger effort to bring Jazzical to the youth as well as the masses.
Joel's Jazzical Arts in Education programs were recently showcased on a WCNY - PBS high definition television special (Syracuse NY) with the YMCA-YCCA music program and the Boys & Girls's Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble (January 2008), as well as at Carnegie Hall in a Family Interactive Concert partnership with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus.
The Washington Post by Joan Reinthaler
Joel Martin is an unusually interesting, unusually talented young pianist...the tones his sensitive touch coaxes from the piano are the loveliest heard around here in a long time.
From a Parishioner at St Marks Episcopal Church
(E. Longmeadow MA)
"When I first heard that a Jazzical Spirit Tour was coming to St. Marks, my reaction was excitement. Upon reflecting what that meant (a marriage of classical and jazz music), I was a little more introspective. I enjoy all kinds of music, including classical and jazz, but would I like the two of them merged? Would I sit and be stuck for the whole afternoon? After all, I am polite.
The day of the concert came and at 3 oclock this concern was quickly forgotten when the first few notes of A Mighty Fortress filled our sanctuary. Everyone sat spellbound at the sounds that emerged from magic fingers touching simple black and white keys. The afternoon was filled with pieces that were familiar but presented in a diverse context that was very pleasing and inspiring to the listeners. An added enjoyment was watching Joel, the drummer & bass player. A twinkle in their eyes and grins would appear when a special inspiration took over their playing. I loved it!
Two hours sped by and while the energy needed to provide such enjoyment must have been exhausting, no sign of that was seen and I think, writing for all who attended, we could have stayed a lot longer. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon."
Michael Jonnes, Executive Director, Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MA) said this:
"What is Jazzical? Joel Martin has done these fascinating and original arrangements for jazz piano and orchestra for several years, but the SSO connected to Joel and Jazzical only this season. At a jazz and swing band themed pops concert earlier this month, Joel was the featured-and fabulous-pianist in the performance of two of his arrangements: the first movement of the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 2 and a Scriabin piece. For the 2,300+ patrons in the audience, the Jazzical works were something of a revelation, evincing a stamping, cheering response. Quite obviously, the unusual fusion of jazz and the classical styles as well as Mr. Martin's brilliant performance in these works captivated the house...
Maaja Roos, Country Day School, Choir Director Savannah GA, Feb. 2011
It has been so exciting working with Joel Martin. His interaction with our kids was fantastic, and the energy that he elicited from our kids was amazing! They have not stopped talking about Joel and how he made the music come alive to them...
Polished Young Chorister Evoking Eternal Mysteries
June 26, 2007, New York Times, Steve Smith
The [Brooklyn Youth] Concert Chorus, the academy's senior ensemble, projected confidence and polish in a series of sophisticated modern hymns and traditional spirituals. Fauré's resplendent En Sourdine swayed to a gentle bossa nova beat in the first of two new arrangements commissioned from the jazz pianist Joel A. Martin. In the other, I Hear a Rhapsody, Mr. Martin's filigree elaborations were deftly handled by a strong pair of scat-singing soloists...
Jazz At A Glance, Volume 43 by Lee Prosser
For those who enjoy jazz with a Brazilian theme, Joel A. Martin's "Jazzical: Brazil" will become a very welcome addition to the home library. For those of you who recall the early recordings of pianist Peter Nero with his unique ability to fuse classical and jazz, you will discover in Joel A. Martin a greatly creative individual in the same imaginative vein of approach! Where Joel Martin adds his own vocals is worth listening to, for he has a very mellow and pleasant voice that blends well with the music he is performing. Everything about this CD has the touch of Brazilian jazz about it, and it is a worthy gift for a loved one or friend, and a good item to have in the Public Library jazz music section. This remarkable collection forms a highly melodic CD, one that will linger long in the listener's mind, and one to play again and again!
Creede Hinshaw, Pastor of Wesley Monument Methodist Church, Savannah GA, March 2010
Joel: What a fabulous Sunday we had! Thanks for being with us at Wesley Monumental last Sunday...2 times!! You touched many hearts last Sunday here....
JazzTimes Magazine by Dave Burns
Jazzical: A Marriage of Classical and Jazz -- A fascinating exploration "beyond category." This CD is powerful evidence that there is interesting and valid music at the intersection of the two vernaculars.
Telephone: 914-837-8001 (NY)
Email: j azzicalspirit_gmail.com
Web : www.facebook.com/jazzical
www.americantraditionscompetition.com
©2011 Jazzical Di Vannuci Music * All rights reserved. * Jazzical is a registered trademark of The Martin Consortium Syndicate. * Photos: Jimmy Williams * Graphics: Robert Bernardara
