Either/Orchestra

website: http://either-orchestra.org

Since its beginnings as a kind of punk big band in 1985, the E/O has evolved through many styles of jazz and now encompasses Ethiopian and Afro-Cuban music. Leader Russ Gershon knows how to find and cultivate talented sidemen (ex members include John Medeski, Mike Rivard, Matt Wilson, Miguel Zenon, Jerome Deupree) and keep a large group working and recording. Their latest CD, "Live in Addis," was recorded during the band's two week visit to Ethiopia's capital in 2004. Sometimes considered too idiosyncratic for the mainstream, the E/O is dedicated to finding the groove, playing from the heart and the head, and making connections between seemingly disparate music genres. In their ten albums and over 1000 performances around the world, they are all about meeting the audience halfway and taking them on a ride to new places. Tom Halter and Dan Rosenthal, trumpets; Joel Yennior, trombone; Godwin Louis, Russ Gershon and Charlie Kohlhase, saxes; Rafael Alcala, piano; Rick McLaughlin, bass; Pablo Bencid, drums; Vicente Lebron, congas.

Filed under: Big Band, contemporary jazz, ethiopian jazz, jazz, World jazz

No Upcoming Shows Scheduled.

Boston Phoenix
Getting it live: Boston's Spring jazz preview
Published 3/18/2011 by JON GARELICK
Singing and more in the clubs

Boston Phoenix
Video Exclusive: Either/Orchestra, “The (One of a Kind) Shimmy”
Published 9/3/2010 by Jon Garelick
After a decade dominated by their explorations of Ethiopian jazz, the Either/Orchestra have returned on

Boston Phoenix
Time travelers(1)
Published 7/16/2010 by JON GARELICK
The Either/Orchestra go to Groovy World, plus Ameranouche and Shelley Neill dig

Boston Phoenix
Either/Orchestra at Regattabar
Published 4/21/2010 by webteam
Boston’s inimitable 10-piece Either/Orchestra — whose various explorations have included a Grammy-nominated melding of Benny Moten