The Village Sings and Drums and Dances
Dan Bukvich, Navin Chettri and the
Jazz Choir I
Many cultures in the world have no word for music as a separate concept from daily life. When these cultures speak of “music,” they refer to the entire village singing, drumming, and dancing. At the University of Idaho, this village is Jazz Choir I, directed by Professor Daniel Bukvich. Performing original compositions and unique arrangements, Choir I is one of the most unique ensembles in the United States.
Tonight’s special performance features compositions by Bukvich, including "Spinning Samba," composed specifically for this event, an encore performance of "Missa Africa," and in collaboration Navin Chettri, graduate student in music from Nepal, "Spiritual Mass," a fusion of Western and Hindu music. Out of the diversity, universal access.
Daniel Bukvich
is
Professor of Percussion and Theory and Director of Jazz
Choir in Lionel Hampton School of Music.
Professor Bukvich is an internationally recognized and accomplished composer,
arranger, and performer, as well as a scholar of enormous depth.
He has performed internationally as a
percussionist, guest conductor and clinician. Through
his compositions and arrangements, he continued to set a high standard; to which
other contemporary writing is compared.
He is recognized in regional, national, and international performance
communities for his unique personal and thoroughly engaging vocabulary which
continues to evolve and inspire; for his command of form, texture, shape,
gesture, and color which is impeccable.
This is evidenced in such diverse works as “The Glittering Hill,”
“Meditations on the Writings of Vasily Kandinsky,” and “The Virgin and Child
with Saint Anne,” each reflective of his versatility and individuality.
Locally, Professor Bukvich is lauded for his productions of the annual
“University of Idaho Jazz Choirs Holiday Concert” in the Kibbie Dome, “Dancers,
Drummers, and Dreamers” done in collaboration with the university’s Center for
Dance, and the July Concert on the Arboretum lawn.
The breadth and depth in Professor Bukvich’s teaching is described as “simply stunning.” He inspires his students by generating teaching materials for his classes such as writing a jazz choir piece, creating progressive exercises or developing music theory materials to teach written and aural skills. He brings professional standards and a joy of performance to every situation, amateur or professional. And it is “inspiration” that best sums up what he brings to his students, helping them to soar to new levels of music creativity. And it is “inspiration” that we will witness this evening with his collaboration with Navin Chettri, and the Jazz Choir, and the performance of "Spiritual Mass." In 2011, Daniel Bukvich was named one of the University of Idaho's Distinguished Professors.
Navin Chettri
is a percussionist, vocalist, composer and founder and artistic director of The
Kathmandu Jazz Festival. He was born and raised in the hills of
Travelers and musicians from Africa, Europe and
Navin traveled with Cadenza to
Currently Navin is completing his
music performance & composition degree at the Lionel Hampton School of Music
under Professor Dan Bukvich. He experiments with musicians from different
backgrounds blending sounds from around the world and composing music for
various ensembles including Uof I Jazz Choir I, Cadenza Collective, UI World
Beat Ensemble and the Afro Latin Ensemble.
“Any band
is only ever as good as its drummer and this one is surprisingly good”. Sting,
“Walking on the Moon” Men’s Journal (
“Chettri is a gifted chant-and-scat vocalist and a creative drummer whose foundations constantly elevate even average performances from other players.” Mark Sabbatini “Burning And Chilling At Jazzmandu 2005”. www.allaboutjazz.com November 15, 2005
“Multi-talented Navin who with
Cadenza has put Nepali jazz on the map, locally and internationally”. Neal
Sellers, “Jazzmandu 2002” Jazz Chord (
www.myspace.com/navincadenzacollective