Ark Ovrutski
Since moving to NYC in 2005, Ark Ovrutski has had a busy career free-lancing with many of the great jazz musicians from many generations, including: Curtis Fuller, Carmen Lundy, Mark Soskin, Steve Williams, Larry Willis, Javon Jackson, JD Walter, Duduka da Fonseca, Patience Higgins,Gerald Hayes, Michael Borstlap, Cynthia Scott, Jim Rotondi ,Will Boulware, Donald Edwards, James Spaulding. In 2007 Ark began work on his Masters degree in music at Rutgers University in New Jersey, studying with bassist Mike Richmond, drummer Victor Lewis and pianist Stanley Cowell, among others. Veteran bassist Bob Cranshaw advised him to go for a doctorate, which he’s done at University of Illinois. Taking the most ambitious big band compositions of Charles Mingus as his doctoral project, Ark has received his DMA. As a life-long component of the Eastern Europe and NYC music community, Ark has always returned to his roots regardless of where his musical endeavors have taken him abroad. His recording project titled by the Ark Ovrutski Quintet “Sounds of Brazil” (2010) featuring Grammy drummer Duduka Da Fonseca, piano player Helio Alves and two great flute and sax players Craig Handy and Jorge Continetino performed a unique blend of different styles of jazz, Brazilian grooves, original melodies and contemporary arrangements. This album was highly estimated and Ark was invited to play with this program to Dizzi Coca Coca jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC in April 2011
Read moreTags
Album Review
- Journey Moments by Mike Jurkovic
- Journey Moments by Dan Bilawsky
- Intersection by Dan Bilawsky
- Sounds Of Brasil by Dan Bilawsky
Take Five With...
Read more articlesApril 21, 2011
Primary Instrument
Bass, acoustic
Location
New York City
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
TA at Mason Gross School of Art 2009-2010. ISYM Faculty University of Illinois 2013
Clinic/Workshop Information
Was running Jazz clinics in Ukraine, 2006-2012