Jazz Mafia:Miles and Mingus Reimagined
Jazz Mafia's Reimagined series takes on two of jazz's most fearless innovators in this bold exploration of Miles Davis and Charles Mingus. Building on their previous reimaginings of Stevie Wonder, Prince, and The Beatles, the Bay Area collective presents fresh arrangements that honor the restless, boundary-pushing spirit that defined both giants.
Led by Jazz Mafia founder and bandleader Adam Theis, the seven-piece acoustic ensemble brings together longtime collaborators and rising talent for what promises to be "deep grooves, inventive arrangements, and high-level interplay." Theis, known for his genre-blurring approach as both trombonist and composer, has built Jazz Mafia into a "dynamic musical collective that goes beyond conventional boundaries," skillfully blending elements across genres while maintaining a foundation rooted in jazz.
The band features trumpeter Mike Olmos, who brings 30+ years of experience across jazz, Latin, R&B, and soul, having toured with vocalist Rosemary Clooney. London/Oakland-based tenor saxophonist Laurel Fink leads the Laurel Fink Quintet and performs original compositions across the international jazz scene. Stanford Jazz Workshop educator Tommy Occhiuto handles tenor and baritone saxes, while pianist Colin Hogan brings his five-continent performance experience with legends like James Moody and Peter Erskine. Bassist Joshua Thurston Milgrom, a 16-year Stanford Jazz Workshop veteran who's collaborated with Kurt Rosenwinkel in Berlin, showcases his compositional approach blending catchy melodies with reharmonizations and angular chromaticism. Berklee graduate Henry Plumb completes the rhythm section on drums, known for his versatility across swing, fusion, funk, and Latin styles.
Expect to hear classic material from both Davis and Mingus filtered through Jazz Mafia's distinctive lens — the same collective that has earned recognition as "Best Band" by East Bay Express and praise for creating "distinct and memorable musical experiences" that challenge contemporary jazz conventions. This acoustic format allows the intricate interplay and sophisticated arrangements to shine through, capturing the innovative spirit that made Miles and Mingus such transformative forces in jazz history.
