The Gathering Orchestra Nonet, under the direction of Carr Center Resident Artist, Rodney Whitaker will perform the world premiere of a new commissioned work by the brilliant keyboardist, composer,arranger and recording artist,  Patrice Rushen.

This concert is part of the continuing celebration of The Carr Center’s 30th Anniversary. This new work, “The Resonate Suite” was specifically written for the Nonet will be performed in three movements. Ms Rushen will perform LIVE with the Nonet during the program. 

The commissioning of this new work, Resonate is a multi-year collaboration that will explore the African Diaspora through the lens of contemporary American chamber music. The project has commissioned seven American composers to create new works to be performed by each of the collaborators during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.

The Resonate collaboration brings together resources from seven prominent institutions in Michigan and Ohio: The Carr Center, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings.  Oberlin Conservatory, Bowling Green State University,  The University of Michigan/Ann Arbor, Michigan State University and  Western Michigan University.

The Gathering Orchestra is a two-year fellowship program, under the artistic direction of renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker, former member of the Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra, Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University and Carr Center Resident Artist. The Gathering is comprised of 4 seasoned jazz veterans and 14 emerging and highly talented young musicians,(ages 18 – 28). The Nonet is an ensemble of the full Orchestra that  continued to perform and work during the pandemic.