When the late Jazz impresario and trailblazer Meghan Stabile first launched the Revivalist platform and Revive Da Live concert series in NYC, the goal was to bridge the gap between younger Hip-Hop audiences and traditional Jazz purists. Born from this vision in 2010 was the Revive Big Band, an inventive 20+ piece ensemble led by artistic director, trumpeter, and composer Igmar Thomas. Merging tradition with groundbreaking creativity since its inception, the multi-generational band’s world-class cadre of musicians unites for Like A Tree It Grows.
As the Revive Big Band’s official full-length debut, this album represents not only a 14-year timeline of the Revive collective’s journey, but also a deeper tribute to the Black American Music lineage. Now available on all major digital streaming platforms via Soulspazm, the album features Terrace Martin, Dr. Lonnie Smith,Talib Kweli, Marcus Strickland, Jean Baylor, Bilal, among others, and contains a mix of original compositions and inventive reinterpretations of classic Jazz records that pay homage to legends like Wayne Shorter, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and more.
“I hope this album serves as a bridge for this generation to discover other genres presented in the big band format. I also want this album to help people understand that all Black music can be traced back to one root… This album is dedicated to the life and legacy of our dear friend Meghan.” – Igmar Thomas
MORE ABOUT REVIVE BIG BAND:
The Revive Big Band is an inventive 20+ piece big band that combines Jazz, Hip-Hop, Funk, Soul, Blues, and Gospel. Led and founded in 2010 by trumpeter, composer, arranger, and maestro Igmar Thomas, this multi-generational ensemble knows no limits in seeking to advance, celebrate and re-imagine sonic freedom. The band’s world-class cadre of musicians have consistently bridged the divides between art forms and include members such as trombonist Ku-umba Frank Lacy, critically acclaimed pianist Marc Cary, Thelonious Monk Competition winner and former member of Pat Metheny‘s Unity Band Ben Williams, Revive/Blue Note recording artist drummer Otis Brown III, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, and trumpeter Theo Croker.
Making its debut at George Wein’s CareFusion Jazz Festival, the Revive Big Band has since gone on to perform at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater, Blue Note Jazz Club, Central Park SummerStage, BRIC, DV Jazz Fest, Winter JazzFest, Art of Cool Festival amongst others. The band’s members have collectively garnered 27 Grammy nominations and 13 Grammy wins, and have performed alongside Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Sting, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, J. Cole, Common, D’Angelo, Jill Scott, Dizzy Gillespie, Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, Talib Kweli, Bilal, and Slick Rick.
The band’s rare live repertoire features original compositions and inventive orchestrations of Jazz standards and contemporary classics by artists ranging from Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard and Oliver Nelson to A Tribe Called Quest, J Dilla, Gangstarr, and more.
MORE ABOUT IGMAR THOMAS:
Bandleader, composer and arranger Igmar Thomas helps the Revive Big Band set the standard for innovation and excellence, merging tradition with groundbreaking creativity with his fluency in swing and knack for transmuting genres of the African diaspora. An alumnus of Berklee College of Music and former student of trumpeters Nicholas Payton and Roy Hargrove, Thomas’ role varies from sideman and section leader to bandleader and musical director on international tours for artists like Kamasi Washington, and Ms. Lauryn Hill. Thomas’ more recent role as Musical Director for legendary artists like LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Nas, The Fugees, and DJ D-Nice, has earned him the praise from hip-hop icons DJ Kool Herc, Slick Rick, and DJ Premier who likened Thomas’ musical directing talents to that of Teddy Riley and DeVante Swing. Thomas’ boundless creativity enables him to be a conduit for the harmonious synthesis of various genres, eras and styles. His approach to musicianship has empowered others to embrace the freedom inherent in rejecting purist notions and making music outside of the box.
Thomas’ original compositions and arrangements have been commissioned by Carnegie Hall and acquired by prestigious institutions such as NYO Jazz at Carnegie Hall, Purdue University, University of North Texas, Brown University, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, Rutgers University, University of Denver, JazzMN Orchestra, University of Maryland, St. Augustine University, and his alma mater, Berklee College of Music.
