RVANews

Arce playground

Dean Christesen — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:00:13 +0000

He's back! Saxophonist and native Virginian Jason Arce is a VCU alumnus and recent recipient of a master's degree in music performance from NYU. The former member of Fight the Big Bull, No BS! Brass, and Glows in the Dark (as well as of countless other musical outlets) left Richmond in 2008 for New York City, where he currently resides. For a good idea of what's possible at his gig tomorrow night at Bogart's, check the recording from his performance there in June 2009 with John D'earth.

He'll be performing with Alan Parker on guitar, Chris Brydge on bass, and Devonne Harris on drums, and Lydia Ooghe will play a solo set.

View event details and visit him on the web

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Jason Arce returns to Bogart’s

Dean Christesen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:12:40 +0000

Jason Arce is back in Richmond for the weekend and is playing at Bogart's tomorrow night. The tenor/alto/soprano saxophonist's band will include Marcus Tenney (tenor sax or trumpet, or both), Alan Parker (guitar), Andrew Randazzo (bass), and Devonne Harris (drums).

Jason -- who graduated from VCU in '07 -- is currently up at NYU getting a graduate degree in music performance and staying busy with school, teaching, and playing. He comes back to Richmond every once in a while, but not as often as everyone here would like, so check him out while he's in town.

Photos and audio from the last time he played at Bogart's in June.

View event details

Jason Arce Live at Bogart’s: Sights and sounds

Dean Christesen — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:15:00 +0000

The Jason Arce gig at Bogart's on Friday, June 5, was recorded by Rocket Jackson and is now available for listening on ReverbNation and below. Bogart's, in its new location, is currently under stress tests by musicians and patrons to see if it can live up to the reputation of the old Lombardy back room. While current features of the venue are questionable--like a dividing wall that can impede vision from the bar and the lack of a stage--music heard last weekend is a testament to the possibilities at Bogart's. The band was absolutely burning and was made up of Jason Arce (saxophones), John D'Earth (trumpet), Devonne Harris (Fender Rhodes), Corey Fonville (drums), and Andrew Randazzo (bass).

From Jason Arce @ Bogart's

photos by Lucas Fritz

2nd Street Festival + More This Weekend

Dean Christesen — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:14:00 +0000

This weekend, Richmond's annual 2nd Street Festival returns to Jackson Ward to celebrate the past and present of arts and culture in the city. If Venture Richmond's schedule of performers intimidates you, check out the RVAjazz schedule grids below. They will give a view of everything that is going on at a particular point in time (click to see full size):

Friday & Saturday:

Sunday:

The festival grounds are several blocks in Jackson Ward adjacent to the Convention Center. Check out the map below, and click on each point for its description:

View Larger Map

There's plenty going on in the city after the festival closes each night. On Saturday, check out Jason Arce Quintet (Arce, Sam Savage, Scott Burton, Matt Hall, Kelli Strawbridge) with Scott Burton Trio (Burton, Cameron Ralston, Scott Clark) at The Camel.

Sunday night's exciting event will be Brian Jones' faculty recital at University of Richmond. Performing will be Brian Jones Percussion Ensemble (Jones, Pinson Chanselle, Scott Clark, Lance Koehler, Emre Kartari, Dusty Simmons), Jones + Kuhl (Jones, J.C. Kuhl), and Brian Jones (Guitar) Quartet (Jones, Alan Parker, Trey Pollard, Matt Hall).

Check the details below. It'll be an eventful and exciting weekend in Richmond!

October 3-5, 2008
2nd Street Festival
See schedule for complete listings
Free, all ages
[where: 2nd St., Jackson Ward, Richmond, VA 23219]

Saturday, October 4, 2008
Jason Arce Quintet w/ Scott Burton Trio
The Camel
9pm
$6, all ages
[where: 1621 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220]

Sunday, October 5, 2008
Brian Jones Faculty Recital
University of Richmond, Camp Auditorium
7:30pm
Free, all ages
[where: Modlin Center for the Arts, University of Richmond, VA 23173]

Jason Arce – Simplicity (2008)

Dean Christesen — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:06:00 +0000

by Dean Christesen

Simplicity is a modest title for an album that has exciting complexities around every corner. Wild melodies, blazing solos, and unique interplay often mask any simplicity that is to be found in the music. But still, there is a certain welcomed basic-ness at the heart of saxophonist Jason Arce's debut release. Penned solely by Arce, the compositions are borne of a talented band full of life and energy.

The album firmly opens with the title track, featuring a sharp-edged wandering melody, but there is some titular truth to the very next piece, "Break the Wall." After a balladic intro with piano and sax, the band storms in. Trumpeter Bob Miller takes off running while propellants drummer Kelli Strawbridge and bassist Matt Hall surge with him. In the album's second instance of chivalrous behavior from the leader, Arce takes second solo to a band mate, but still manages to throw good manners out the window with his aggressive and adventurous playing. His varied use of space and fervent heat sets his band's course with democratic leadership and an open ear. The solo, like many on the disc, arcs beautifully and comes together at just the right moment.

Hall's strength on the backline is impeccable, and his ability to react to any situation and see and hear is quite omniscient. Fellow accompanists, guitarist Alan Parker and piano and wurlitzer player Devonne Harris, are equally extrospective, looking outwards before looking in, especially on "Time To Leave."

Strawbridge, insightful with often-explosive bursts of drums and cymbals, also looks outward to inspire each soloist. Even the calmer pieces are laced with a sense of vigor in his drumming, as on "57th Sunset." Harris's first trip to the drum throne on "New Relationship" brings ultra funky drumming with a fist full of a hip-hop vibe, and with the absence of keys, the music breathes a little better than the pieces before it.

The musicians often nod to Miles Davis's legendary second quintet (Strawbridge displays Tony Williams-like fire in his drum solo on "Happy Blues," and Harris immediately quotes the melody of "E.S.P." on the first track), although that doesn't stop Arce from exploring his own inspirations, life experiences, and the beginning of his journey as a leader.

Track listing: Simplicity; Break the Wall; End of the Night; Time to Leave; 57th Sunset; New Relationship; Forward Progress; Patiently Waiting; Happy Blues; Break the Wall (alt. take).

Personnel: Jason Arce: tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, piano (2,7); Devonne Harris: piano, wurlitzer, drums (6,7); Alan Parker: guitar; Matt Hall: bass; Bob Miller: trumpet (1-3,10); Sam Savage: trombone (8,9); Kelli Strawbridge: drums (1-5,8-10).

The album will be made available for purchase at the CD release party this Friday at The Camel.