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Ken Schaphorst

Ken Schaphorst is a composer, performer, and educator currently chairing the Jazz Studies and Improvisation Department at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Before moving to Boston in 2001, Schaphorst served as Director of Jazz Studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin for ten years. Schaphorst is also a founding member of the Jazz Composers Alliance, a Boston-based non-profit corporation promoting new music in the jazz idiom since 1985. Born in Abington, Pennsylvania on May 24, 1960, Schaphorst has studied at Swarthmore College, New England Conservatory, and Boston University, where he received the Doctor of Musical Arts in 1990. His composition teachers have included Thomas Oboe Lee, Gerald Levinson, William Thomas McKinley, and Bernard Rands. Schaphorst has released six recordings as a leader: Ken Schaphorst Big Band: Making Lunch (1989), Ken Schaphorst Big Band: After Blue (1991), Ken Schaphorst Ensemble: When the Moon Jumps (1994), Ken Schaphorst: Over the Rainbow (1997), Ken Schaphorst Big Band: Purple (1999) and Ken Schaphorst: Indigenous Technology (2002).

Awards

Schaphorst has been awarded Composition Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1988 and 1991, the Wisconsin Arts Board in 1997, Meet the Composer Grants in 1987 and 1997, and was a Music Composition Finalist in the Massachusetts Fellowship Program in 1986.


Tags

320
Album Review

Ken Schaphorst: Indigenous Technology

Read "Indigenous Technology" reviewed by Russell Moon


Ken Schaphorst is associated with big band albums, the best known and best distributed, I suspect, being Purple (Naxos, 1998).

With Indigenous Technology Schaphorst takes a new look on the jazz trio. Schaphorst plays trumpet, flugelhorn or piano on the record alongside cellist Matt Turner and marimba/percussion player Dane Richeson. There is no drummer here.

It would be fair to categorize this recording as New Age, but the featured improvisation is far better than that genre's usual light fare, perhaps ...

167
Album Review

Ken Schaphorst: Purple

Read "Purple" reviewed by Mark Corroto


As a jazz fan who’s listening preferences tend toward small group recordings, I find big band recordings, by definition tend to be, well...BIG. Most large ensembles, like ocean liners, have trouble maneuvering, their sounds tend to be crowded and loud. By the time Leonardo screams “iceberg” it’s too late, the record is sunk. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed Purple by captain and arranger Ken Schaphorst, his 19-piece band steers clear of the largeness. Schaphorst, the director of Jazz studies at ...

251
Album Review

Ken Schaphorst Big Band: Purple

Read "Purple" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Unlike some Jazz composers who write unpretentious big–band charts designed to serve as springboards for soloists, Ken Schaphorst approaches the task with soloists in mind but focuses always on orchestral textures and colors, employing improvisation as an integral element in the over–all compositional makeup. Instead of playing “outside” the chart with rhythm accompaniment, as is so often the case, Schaphorst’s soloists usually must adapt to its nuances, tailoring their approach to suit its particular needs without sacrificing warmth or creativity. ...

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1

Performance / Tour

Ken Schaphorst Conducts New England Conservatory Jazz Orchestra on October 20

Ken Schaphorst Conducts New England Conservatory Jazz Orchestra on October 20

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

New England Conservatory’s internationally renowned Jazz Studies Department showcases its accomplished jazz vocal students in If You Could See Me Now: Music for Voice and Jazz Orchestra. Ken Schaphorst conducts the NEC Jazz Orchestra in music composed and arranged for voice and jazz orchestra, from traditional jazz to more contemporary styles. The 7:30 p.m. concert takes place on Thursday, October 20 at Jordan Hall, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston. Free and open to the public. Tickets required; please visit necmusic.edu to ...

2

Education

A Revolution In Music Education: Contemporary Musical Arts At New England Conservatory, Celebrating 50 Years Of Training The Complete Musician

A Revolution In Music Education: Contemporary Musical Arts At New England Conservatory, Celebrating 50 Years Of Training The Complete Musician

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Since 1972, the Contemporary Musical Arts (formerly CI/Contemporary Improvisation) program at New England Conservatory has been at the forefront of creative musical expression. The department marks five decades of crossing boundaries, pushing limits, and training creative contemporary musicians and artists with a year- long celebration featuring faculty, students and alumni in a full season of cutting-edge musical events. During the 2022-2023 fiftieth anniversary season, the CMA program celebrates alumni with residencies featuring cross-genre improviser Satoko Fujii, singer- songwriter Aoife O’Donovan, ...

5

Education

New England Conservatory Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of Groundbreaking Jazz Department

New England Conservatory Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of Groundbreaking Jazz Department

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

In recognition and celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Jazz Studies department and the Jazz Studies program, New England Conservatory is hosting Jazz50, a year- long series of concerts and events. On stage will be the distinguished jazz alumni, faculty, students and special guests offering an incredible array of musical and compositional talent. Performances are to be to held at NEC's acoustically superb Jordan Hall, providing an intimate and versatile setting. And several other performances are scheduled in New ...

1

Performance / Tour

The New England Conservatory Youth Jazz Orchestra Conducted By Ken Schaphorst Presents Spring Concert On Tuesday, May 19 In NEC’s Jordan Hall

The New England Conservatory Youth Jazz Orchestra Conducted By Ken Schaphorst Presents Spring Concert On Tuesday, May 19 In NEC’s Jordan Hall

Source: Ann Braithwaite

Orchestra Includes 17 Members from 12 Massachusetts Cities and Towns The New England Conservatory Youth Jazz Orchestra conducted by Ken Schaphorst, presents a program at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at NEC’s Jordan Hall, 290 Huntington Avenue, jny: Boston. The free concert will feature music of Thad Jones, Ken Schaphorst, Kenny Dorham, Horace Silver and Dizzy Gillespie. The NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra is comprised of middle and high school students from across the region. For more information, log on ...

1

Event

New England Conservatory Prep Presents The NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra Conducted By Ken Schaphorst

New England Conservatory Prep Presents The NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra Conducted By Ken Schaphorst

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Tuesday, May 20 in NEC’s Jordan Hall New England Conservatory Prep presents the NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra conducted by Ken Schaphorst in a concert featuring a wide selection of music by composers Randy Weston, Ken Schaphorst, Donny McCaslin, Thad Jones, Dizzy Gillespie and more, all performed by middle and high school students in the NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra. The free concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20 at NEC’s Jordan Hall, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston. For more ...

Event

New England Conservatory Jazz Studies Department Presents Jazz And The Struggle For Freedom & Equality

New England Conservatory Jazz Studies Department Presents Jazz And The Struggle For Freedom & Equality

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Performed by the NEC Jazz Orchestra on Thursday, February 27 at Jordan Hall WGBH Jazz Host Eric Jackson to Narrate Mingus’ “Freedom” Ken Schaphorst, New England Conservatory's chair of jazz studies, leads the NEC Jazz Orchestra in Jazz and the Struggle for Freedom & Equality featuring some of the landmark compositions associated with the battle against racism and bigotry. Selections include Charles Mingus’ “Haitian Fight Song,” “Fables of Faubus,” “Freedom” and “Meditations on Integration;” Carla Bley’s “Dreamkeeper;” and excerpts from ...

Event

New England Conservatory Jazz Studies Department Presents The Music Of Ken Schaphorst Performed By The NEC Jazz Orchestra With Special Guests Nedelka Prescod And Donny McCaslin -- Thursday, December 12 In NEC’s Jordan Hall

New England Conservatory Jazz Studies Department Presents  The Music Of Ken Schaphorst   Performed By The NEC Jazz Orchestra With Special Guests Nedelka Prescod And Donny McCaslin -- Thursday, December 12 In NEC’s Jordan Hall

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

“Schaphorst's writing and arranging, like that of Duke Ellington, is for individual musicians." —Mark Corroto, All About Jazz Ken Schaphorst, New England Conservatory's chair of jazz studies, leads the NEC Jazz Orchestra in The Music of Ken Schaphorst, a program of his original music and arrangements. The free concert takes place at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 12 at NEC’s Jordan Hall, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston. For more information, log on to necmusic.edu or call 617-585-1260. The program will include ...

Event

New England Conservatory Prep Presents The NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra Conducted By Ken Schaphorst

New England Conservatory Prep Presents The NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra Conducted By Ken Schaphorst

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Wednesday, December 11 in NEC’s Brown Hall New England Conservatory Prep presents the NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra conducted by Ken Schaphorst in a concert featuring the music of Duke Ellington, Gerald Wilson, Sun Ra, Imogen Heap, John Klenner, Joe Henderson,
Harold Arlen, and Thad Jones all performed by middle and high school students in the NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra. The free concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11 at NEC’s Brown Hall, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston. For more ...

Event

New England Conservatory's Jazz Studies Department Presents The Music Of Vaughn Moore + Billy Eckstine On Thursday, October 17 Featuring Ken Schaphorst And The NEC Jazz Orchestra

New England Conservatory's Jazz Studies Department Presents  The Music Of Vaughn Moore + Billy Eckstine On Thursday, October 17 Featuring Ken Schaphorst And The NEC Jazz Orchestra

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Ken Schaphorst and the NEC Jazz Orchestra draw on New England Conservatory's exclusive archive of Vaughn Monroe charts, alongside hits by Billy Eckstine — two of the most popular singing stars of the 1940s — in the Music of Vaughn Monroe + Billy Eckstine, a free concert on Thursday, October 17 at NEC’s Jordan Hall, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston. The concert begins at 8 p.m. For more information, log on to necmusic.edu or call 617-585-1260. Vaughn Monroe came to New ...

“Schaphorst's charts preserve the best of the past while looking fearlessly ahead to the future.” —Boston Phoenix

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Best of Tobin...

ArtsForge
2023

buy

Rain Bather

ArtsForge
2009

buy

Indigenous Technology

Unknown label
2003

buy

How to Say Goodbye

Jazz Composers Orchestra Association
0

buy

Fusion of Minds

From: Best of Tobin Mueller, Volume...
By Ken Schaphorst

I Wanna Fly

From: Best of Tobin Mueller, Volume...
By Ken Schaphorst

Frankenfanny

From: Best of Tobin Mueller, Volume...
By Ken Schaphorst

How to Say Goodbye

From: How to Say Goodbye
By Ken Schaphorst

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