California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is pleased to announce the latest event of the 2013 Wild Beast Concert Series hosted by The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts. Headlining the April 13 event is the CalArts Large Ensemble, a high-powered 20-piece jazz band conducted by Lauren Baba and Andrew Rowan. Serving up a brilliantly orchestrated concert of original numbers, this ensemble offers a decidedly contemporary take on the rich, buoyant big-band sound. The concert features compositions by Baba, Rowan, Vinny Golia and Marc Lowenstein, among others. The Ensemble showcases CalArts’ best jazz players and allows plenty of room for solo and collective improvisations.

A hard-driving band of young musicians and composers, the Ensemble was formed by CalArts students in 2010 with the mission of creating and performing new works. The Ensemble has appeared on CalArts’ acclaimed annual Jazz CDs recorded at Capitol Records, and works performed by the Ensemble, Lauren Baba’s 144 and Andrew Rowan’s L.E.3, recently received ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award awards.

CalArt’s Jazz Studies Program is widely recognized for its distinguished faculty, successful alumni and award-winning students. Large Ensemble members have been mentored by such acclaimed faculty as NEA Jazz Master Award recipient Charlie Haden, Larry Koonse, Joe LaBarbera, Alphonso Johnson, David Roitstein—and bandleader and multi-woodwind performer Vinny Golia who will be performing with the Ensemble.

Notable alumni of CalArts Jazz Studies Program include James Carney, Ravi Coltrane, Todd Sickafoose and Marcus Shelby.

The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts offers rigorous training in an unrivaled variety of musical styles and cultures. The Wild Beast Concert Series offers audiences the opportunity to experience the Institute’s vibrant musical offerings for themselves.   The next concert, on April 27 at 7 pm, will feature West African music and dance.

Designed by Hodgetts + Fung, The Wild Beast music pavilion has been dubbed a “mini Hollywood Bowl” for its delightful outdoor amphitheater setting. With open lawn seating, families are welcome and picnics encouraged at Valencia’s most intimate concert venue. Thirty miles north of downtown Los Angeles, CalArts is located just off the McBean Parkway exit of Interstate 5 in Valencia.

What: The Wild Beast Concert Series at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) presents CalArts Large Ensemble

When: Saturday, April 13 at 5 p.m.

Where:  The Wild Beast Music Pavilion and the S. Mark Taper Foundation Courtyard, California Institute of the Arts, 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2340.
Tickets:  Admission is FREE. Reservations are suggested.

Parking: Free.