Nine Live is a brazen nonet led by Gotham denizens John Clark and Dan Cooper. Elements of blues, swing, funk, and contemporary improvisation meld with the classical avant garde in original compositions that are both erudite and great fun to hear. Titles already performed at The Cell Theatre, Gallery MC, Goddard Riverside and Shapeshifter Lab include 'Turbulence,' 'Platypus Blues,' 'Gefilte Funk,' 'Bowery,' and 'Freedom's Delight.' Four-time Down Beat Critics' Poll winner and the recipient of a composition grant from the NEA, composer-horn player John Clark was awarded an M.M. degree from NEC, and has recorded and/or performed with everyone from Linda Rondstadt and Billy Joel to Gil Evans, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Joe Lovano, Jaco Pastorius, George Russell, and The Mingus Orchestra, among many others. Manhattan-native composer-bassist Dan Cooper, educated at Columbia, NEC, and Princeton, has composed for Absolute Ensemble, Albany Symphony, Empire State Youth Orchestra, and Imani Winds, among many others; a co-director of Composers Concordance and a SUNY professor, he has performed at numerous venues internationally, from CBGB's to Sydney Opera House and Royal Albert Hall. The cats: Kaoru Watanabe - flute, Kinan Azmeh - clarinet, Michael Rabinowitz - bassoon, John Clark - horn, Lynn Bechtold - violin, Jennifer DeVore - cello, Rob Stephens - piano, Dan Cooper - bass guitar, and Cesare Papetti - drums. The group's debut CD, featuring Clark's compositions, will be released on Dave Soldier's label Mulatta Records in 2016.

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