Debut EP Album - Part of a grant from the Conseil des arts et lettres du Quebec - Grants for up-and-coming artists 2013-14, 2014-15.
Under the mentorship of 4 recognized leading composers in the North American Jazz scene (Large ensemble) including
- Christine Jensen (Mtl - Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra),
- John Roney (Mtl - Effendi JazzLab),
with developmental mentorship support in NYC with:
- Darcy James Argue (NYC - Secret Society) and
- Jim McNeely (NYC - Thad Jones - Vanguard Jazz Orch., BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, Manhattan School of Music)
The performance culmination of 18 months of independent study (Supported generously by the Conseil des arts et lettres du Quebec's "up-and-coming artist" Research/Creation/Exploration grant), writing, reading sessions, directing. development, inspiration and focused musical study in modern jazz composition. This project has created a new ensemble that pulls influences of pop, rock, indie, groove, contemporary jazz, R&B and orchestral music together with the experiential compositional inspiration of living in Montreal as a developing young adult.
Beth McKenna Jazz Orchestra is a 18-piece ensemble of some of Montreal's most promising professional jazz musicians, a mix of emerging exceptionally talented players and established seasoned professional musicians. Beth's original compositions for jazz orchestra fall into the genre of contemporary jazz, pulling from artistic influences including Maria Schneider, David Binney, Christine Jensen, Pat Metheny, Darcy James Argue, Brad Mehldau, Snarky Puppy, Steve Reich, Christine Jensen, Keith Jarrett and Radiohead among many others.
credits
released January 8, 2015
Direction/Compositions: Beth McKenna
Saxes:
Alexandre Dion
Averil Parker
Annie Dominique
Claire Devlin
Paul Carter
Trumpeter Harry Spencer’s orchestral modern jazz has cinematic scope, inspired here by dissidents throughout history. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 3, 2023