Bjorkestravaganza

Bostonist just pulled True Love Waits, Christopher O'Riley's renditions of Radiohead’s music for piano out of the CD Changer. The passion of O’Riley’s rock-to-classical piano transcriptions left us singing the lyrics to the song in our head, though the arrangements did seem like they would compliment Tori Amos’ trademark lyrics of archetypal subjects like Mother Earth. What’s next for the cross-genre enthusiast? Bjorkestra.

Travis Sullivan leads the Bjorkestra, a big-band jazz ensemble playing the music of, well, you guessed it, Bjork. Bostonist suggests if you're not "rocking" you check out the Bjorkestra show over at Paradise tomorrow night, it’s big band and it is the next big thing for Jazz. It will do great things for you ears and bring you back to that infatuation you had with Iceland in the late nineties. Back last summer Bjork released Medulla made completely from vocals, and some creative mixing. Bostonist is thankful to Travis Sullivan for integrating instruments back into Bjork. Sure, Medulla was cool, but it was a little weirder than her other works. Travis Sullivan conducts and plays music arranged for the 18 piece jazz band. Travis Sullivan has been involved with and praised by many of the people we trust to tell us what is worth a listen.

Glen Miller and Benny Goodman used to play with a big band but that concept has been reinvented. You can hear Bjorkestra this weekend but stay tuned for a more true-to-form Dave Holland when he comes to Boston in April. He’s bringing a big band. Holland has played with the traditional quintets with some of the greats (Herbie, Miles, and Chick Corea) and is helping to reinvent the big band. Bjorkestra is a bit more innovative, it is that perfect blend of culture and pop-pleasure that Bostonist seeks. And did we mention the show is only 12 bucks?

Photos by Maxim Kuschnerov