Jazz fest at the JCC: Astral Project

Astral Project

For more than forty years, Astral Project has delighted audiences around the world with its unique brand of cutting-edge improvisation and near-telepathic interplay over deep New Orleans grooves.

In 1978, Tony Dagradi gathered the brightest, most energetic young players in the Crescent City and started on a path that would help shape the modern jazz scene for years to come. A devoted student of Eastern philosophy, Dagradi coined the band name to reflect the group’s quest for a higher plane of experience. As everyone who has seen the band in concert knows, each performance finds these men reaching for the stars.

Over the years, the personnel has remained remarkably constant. Master drummer John Vidacovich continues to direct the rhythmic ebb and flow of the music as only he can. A brilliant soloist and highly sensitive accompanist, he plays with a command of dynamics, distinctive melodic accents, and effervescent swing. On bass, James Singleton is a conduit of pure energy. His solid rhythmic concept and harmonic sense are the foundation of this innovative group’s improvisational strength.

Steve Masakowski has long been regarded as one of the most awe-inspiring guitarists and composers in contemporary music. His technique on the unique seven-string instrument he designed has influenced a generation of guitarists. Performing on tenor and soprano saxophones, Tony Dagradi brings an emotional urgency to each solo. His huge tone and soaring lines speak of the entire tradition of jazz and constantly push the energy of the band forward.

Host or Publisher New Orleans JCC