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Kyle Saulnier

Hailed as “a composer and arranger certainly worthy of considerable attention” (Bill Donaldson, Cadence Magazine), Kyle Saulnier writes music of dramatic intensity and immediacy, fusing orchestral techniques with the modern jazz vocabulary into music that has been described as “lush and inventive” (WNYC), “fearlessly relevant” (New York Music Daily), and “a Great American Songbook of another order” (Downbeat).

In his primary voice as composer of the Awakening Orchestra, Saulnier has composed two symphonies (2010’s this is not the answer. and 2016’s i can see my country from here.), a violin concerto (2014’s to call her to a higher plain.), as well as scores of single-movement compositions, arrangements, and orchestrations. The orchestra’s 2014 debut was called “as rare an achievement as Carla Bley’s Escalator Over the Hill” (All About Jazz), and “a unique and masterful work.” (Cadence Magazine)

Not limited to the jazz and avant-garde realms, Saulnier has composed and arranged for the Metropole Orchestra, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Young the Giant, Francesca Blanchard, Alexei Murdoch, National Geographic Television, the BET Awards, and scores of other varied artists and groups. His catalog includes works for symphony orchestra, studio orchestra, big band, string quartet, brass ensemble, solo piano, and countless combinations of mixed jazz and chamber ensembles.

Gear

shiny horns. sweet basses. cheap pencils.

Acceleration Due To Gravity: Jonesville

Read "Jonesville" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
February 16, 2024

Bassist, composer and arranger Moppa Elliott's uniquely-titled nonet Acceleration Due To Gravity presents Jonesville a gravity- defying jazz odyssey. It pays a captivating homage to influential bassist Sam Jones by weaving a sonic tapestry which transcends the boundaries of conventional jazz. In this brief seven-track, twenty-one-minute outing, four compositions are by Elliott, with the remainder being Sam Jones' originals. The members of the octet who participated in this unusual musical excursion are trumpeter Bobby Spellman, trombonist Dave Taylor, alto saxophonist ...

Album Review

Moppa Elliott's Acceleration Due To Gravity: Jonesville

Read "Jonesville" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
February 11, 2024

Whatever 'script renegade bassist/composer Moppa Elliot takes on a daily basis, he should be made to share with the rest of the world. Whatever that tonic, whatever that pill, whatever that gumbo scented elixir is, let us have it now. Elliot may not want to open up his private stash to the public, but he sure knows how to let it fly in the music he and his nonet--Acceleration Due to Gravity--put forth on the rightly raucous and ...

Album Review

The Awakening Orchestra: Volume II: To Call Her to a Higher Plan

Read "Volume II: To Call Her to a Higher Plan" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
November 9, 2020

Tra gli orchestratori e bandleader emersi di recente Kyle Saulnier è uno dei più interessanti. Il suo esordio con l'Awakening Orchestra nel doppio This Is Not the Answer (Innova 2014) ha rappresentato una sorprendente rivelazione per padronanza di scrittura e spregiudicata sintesi di elementi diversi, inclusi il free e il rock. Con un taglio espressivo un po' diverso, il successivo Atticus Live! (Biophilia 2016) ha confermato la versatilità del leader nel coniugare altri mondi musicali (ovvero le musiche ...

“In effect, this is a Great American Songbook of another order... the ensemble captures an epic, sweeping sound in a quest to reach a higher realm.” - Herb Boyd, Downbeat

"Saulnier is a composer and arranger certainly deserving of considerable attention... Astounding movements release the potential power of the orchestra to claim the listener’s attention through dynamic contrasts, engaging themes and superlative individual contributions... each of them is the successful result of Saulnier’s painstaking attention, passionate commitment and talent deserving of much more attention... While it’s tempting to compare Saulnier’s style of flowing long lines and broad sonic spectrums to Gil Evans’s—certainly not a four-beats-to-the-measure percussive big band feel—Saulnier has developed his own orchestral approach. And certainly Saulnier’s works are more message-driven than Evans’s..." - Bill Donaldson, Cadence Magazine, Vol.41 No.3

“In effect, this is a Great American Songbook of another order... the ensemble captures an epic, sweeping sound in a quest to reach a higher realm.” - Herb Boyd, Downbeat

"[This Is Not the Answer] is as rare an achievement as Carla Bley's historic Escalator Over The Hill (ECM, 1971). The latter work—more jazz-operetta in orientation and prescribed in its thematic flow—nevertheless shares many similar elements and the Awakening Orchestra has created no less of a monumental event... The title track is a four-part suite and nothing short of a masterpiece... Each of the four movements has a unique personality, drama and subtle beauty that that approaches an altered musical realm without overreaching... Saulnier delivers a uniquely artistic slant in his blending of styles and approaches, resulting in distinctive compositions and arrangements. This versatility within This Is Not the Answer is exceptional and while the individual pieces can sound episodic at first listen they later gel in a holistic way. Progressive originals share the platform with the likes of Samuel Barber.. For all involved, This Is Not the Answer is tour-de-force and one of the best albums of the year." - Karl Ackermann, AllAboutJazz

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Primary Instrument

Composer / conductor

Location

Burlington

Credentials/Background

TEACHING POSITIONS: Middlebury College (2021 - pres.) Northern Vermont University (2020-pres.) | Quinnipiac University (2011-pres.) | New England Conservatory (2016-2017) | Bergen Community College (2009-2011)... Available for private composition/theory study at all levels, in-person (post-pandemic) or remote.

Clinic/Workshop Information

Active and available for clinics and masterclasses, specializing in contemporary composition and ensemble direction, with an emphasis in large, cross-genre ensemble work

VT Quarantine Collective · here behind the glass.

Choice

From: Jonesville
By Kyle Saulnier

Kyle Saulnier

Gear

Tags

Acceleration Due To Gravity: Jonesville

Moppa Elliott's Acceleration Due To Gravity: Jonesville