Hank Levy Legacy Band at An Die Musik Live

The Hank Levy Legacy Band plays the big band music that continues to inspire and challenge musicians around the world. The the ensemble naturally includes some of Baltimore's finest musicians, who although up to the task, meet it with considerable dedication and practice. they make even the most difficult pieces seem bright and breezy and the result is simply delightful for any jazz lover in the audience.

Known for his love of odd time signatures, Baltimore saxophonist and composer Hank Levy (1927- 2001) composed tunes popularized by the Stan Kenton and Don Ellis orchestras. Levy was a beloved bandleader and the Legacy Band delivers an authentic interpretation of his incredible music. Also a distinguished educator, Hank Levy is the soul of the Towson University jazz department. Last fall he was officially designated as Professor Emeritus of Towson University. ...

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The Hank Levy Legacy Band plays the big band music that continues to inspire and challenge musicians around the world. The the ensemble naturally includes some of Baltimore's finest musicians, who although up to the task, meet it with considerable dedication and practice. they make even the most difficult pieces seem bright and breezy and the result is simply delightful for any jazz lover in the audience.

Known for his love of odd time signatures, Baltimore saxophonist and composer Hank Levy (1927- 2001) composed tunes popularized by the Stan Kenton and Don Ellis orchestras. Levy was a beloved bandleader and the Legacy Band delivers an authentic interpretation of his incredible music. Also a distinguished educator, Hank Levy is the soul of the Towson University jazz department. Last fall he was officially designated as Professor Emeritus of Towson University.

As a student of jazz and big fan of Hank Levy's compositions, filmmaker Damien Chazelle attempted to negotiate some of Hank Levy's tricky repertoire in his youth. He later titled his multiple award winning film, Whiplash, after Levy's tune by the same name. (HIs latest film, La La Land, shows he is still captivated by the jazz music and eager to spread the word (this stuff is great!)
Unlike the overbearing character portrayed by J.K. Simmons in Whiplash, Levy was beloved by colleagues and students. Many continued to practice and play with him after his retirement. Thus, the Hank Levy Legacy Band was born in 1992 and continues to this day. Many original members continue to nail Levy’s challenging tunes in Sunday morning rehearsals at Towson University. They include band manager Bernie Robier who promises an entertaining set list for the March 5 show.

The Legacy Band has several recordings to their credit including two up-tempo versions of the piece “Whiplash” recorded in 2014. (Studio musicians recorded the version heard in the film.) The band has also recorded two live CDs: Hank At Home (2000) and An "Odd-Time" Was Had By All (2004), both distributed by Sonority Records. The original version of “Whiplash” was recorded by the world famous Jazz Ambassadors in their album The Legacy of Hank Levy, It is said to be among Levy’s favorite recordings of his long-lived music. For more information about the Hank Levy Legacy Band visit http://www.hanklevyjazz.com/.

Tickets: $20 in advance/$23 at door/$10 full-time students with ID

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