Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra
DIVA is a concert jazz orchestra in the tradition of the classic bands of Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, and Woody Herman. DIVA was formed in 1993 by Stanley Kay and maintains itself as one of a few “intact” touring jazz ensembles in the world. The repertoire is progressive, mainstream jazz and is composed and arranged specifically for DIVA by band members and some of the country's most notable composers.
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Headed by swinging drummer Sherie Maricle, DIVA exudes the excitement and force found in the tradition of the historic big bands but with an eye towards today's progressive sound of originality and verve. With New York as their home base, DIVA performs all over the world playing contemporary, mainstream big band jazz composed and arranged to fit the individual personalities and styles of the musicians themselves. Audiences can expect to hear high-energy performances packed with unique improvisation, spontaneity and fun.
The inspiration for DIVA came from Stanley Kay one-time manager and relief drummer for Buddy Rich. In 1990, Kay was conducting a band in which Sherrie Maricle was playing the drums. Stanley immediately picked up on her extraordinary talent and began to wonder if there were other women players who could perform at the same level. The search was on and through nationwide auditions, the foundation for The DIVA Jazz Orchestra was poured in 1992 and what emerged is the dynamic musical force that holds forth to the present day.
In 2006, DIVA was voted one of the best big bands in the world in both DownBeat magazine's annual Critic's and Reader's Polls. To fully grasp how wide the appeal is of this incredibly gifted ensemble, one has only to read the catalog of prestigious venues in which the band has performed, worldwide. In fact, it's almost easier to ask the question: Where haven'’t they played? Here is but a partial list: Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops Orchestra, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, Verizon Jazz Festival at Lincoln Center, Blue Note, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland and the Apollo Theater in New York. Add to that the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Manchester Craftsmen'’s Guild in Pittsburgh, and Symphony Halls in St. Louis, Philadelphia and Cleveland, plus the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl and Cinegrill in Hollywood. International appearances include Le Meridien Hotel in Paris, France; Teatro de Sistina in Rome, Italy; Berlin Jazz Festival in Germany; Salzburg Music Festival in Austria; Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland; Montreal and Ottawa International Jazz Festivals in Canada; Bogota International Jazz Festival in Colombia; Jamaica Jazz Festival; Zagreb Jazz Festival in Croatia; and the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland.
As if the list of settings at which DIVA has performed isn't impressive enough, they have also shared the stage with Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Diane Schuur, Carmen Bradford, Marlena Shaw, Dee Daniels, Maurice Hines, DeeDee Bridgewater, Rosemary Clooney, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jack Jones, Clark Terry, Dr. Billy Taylor, Terry Gibbs, Tommy Newsom, Randy Brecker and Dave Brubeck.
The band has also made numerous television appearances highlighted by multiple feature slots on CNN'’s Arts Break plus a feature segment on the network television program "CBS Sunday Morning," a spotlighted segment as part of The Kennedy Center's 25th Anniversary Special and a critically acclaimed feature on the Japanese television NHK network.
DIVA proudly boasts of a very impressive series of recordings, most recent of which is Live From Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, released in 2008 and featuring acclaimed vocalist Carmen Bradford. Other CDs include the industry-applauded TNT - Tommy Newsom Tribute (a compilation of charts the late Mr. Newsom arranged exclusively for DIVA), Live in Concert, I Believe in You, Leave It To DIVA, and Something's Coming.
Whether live or via recording, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra always guarantees an evening of spirited and exciting entertainment that leaves the audience on its feet pleading for more.
Quotes and Reviews - Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra
The Hollywood Reporter |
"...classic cooking charts...remarkable warmth and beautiful full sound." |
The Hartford Courant |
"DIVA's ensemble sounds crackles with clarity, precision and power." |
The Washington Post |
"DIVA played played with the vigor and complexity of the big time big bands." |
The Cleveland Plain Dealer |
"Everybody in the band was powerfu... Their set, powered by drummer-leader Sherrie Maricle, smoked." |
Amsterdam News |
"DIVA is the appellation for what to date, is the most sensational unfolding in jazz circles this year." |
Jazz Times |
"If there were still big band cutting sessions, DIVA would swing a lot of the remaining bands out of the place." |
| ~Nat Hentoff |
Photos - Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra
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Outreach Programs- Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra
Classroom
In the classroom: Designed for a maximum of 25 students in a classroom setting.
Jazz Improvisation
Conducted with DIVA rhythm section and
1-3 horn players
DIVA musicians work directly with your entire
school ensemble or select group in constructing
and developing solos. Clinic stresses jazz theory,
stylistic interpretation (history), emotion in the
music and listening.
Lead Playing
Conducted with lead trumpet, lead alto, lead
trombone and a rhythm section player
Clinic focuses on stylistic interpretation, blending
and balancing a section, phrasing, dynamics,
articulations and leadership skills.
Performance
Educational Performances: typically designed for 100 or more students in small or large auditorium setting.
Big Band Performance Skills
Your school ensemble performs three selections
for DIVA
DIVA musicians then work directly with school
musicians on their repertoire in a sectional format.
Topics covered include stylistic interpretation, feel,
balance, ensemble interaction, blend, dynamics
and professionalism. Upon completion of sectional
work, your ensemble regroups with DIVA
musicians for a run-through of your ensemble’s
repertoire. DIVA can then perform selected
works in demonstration and performanceoriented
setting.
Speaking Engagement
Special presentation: Speaking Engagements and Lectures
Women in Jazz
Discussion of the role of women as jazz artists, past
and present.
Jazz Composing and Arranging
Tehniques involved in writing for a big band or jazz combo.
Managing a Big Band
Discussion of booking, contract negotiations,
recruiting, recording, personnel management,
tour organization, product promotion and
marketing. Route planning, transportation,
lodging, meal planning, stage set-up, sound and
light, merchandise management, equipment
management, people skills and emergency
troubleshooting.
Special Projects - Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra
5-Play
In keeping with a time-honored Big Band practice, FIVE PLAY was created from the world renowned DIVA Jazz Orchestra as a means to feature some of its foremost players. The quintet was formed in January of 1999 and has performed at many of the most prestigious concert halls, music festivals, universities and jazz clubs in the United States, including Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. The group has also performed at major festivals in Israel, France, Spain and Portugal. In 2004 the quintet and its members were highly ranked in Downbeat Magazine’s Annual Reader’s Poll.
RepertoireFIVE PLAY is a virtual United Nations of Jazz, fusing world cultures with extraordinary musicianship and a shared creative vision. This synthesis of talent, passion and global sensibility has produced a fresh, exciting quintet infused with imagination, rooted in jazz tradition and unified by a collective inspiration. FIVE PLAY‘s repertoire is comprised of innovative arrangements of classic and contemporary standards, as well as original music composed by the band’s members. The group’s library was conceived to highlight the distinctive styles of the individual musicians and also support the unique sound of the ensemble.
Five Play’s premier recording, On the Brink (Arbors Records), was voted #1 by Nat Hentoff in Jazz Times’ 1999 Year in Review issue. Their follow-up release, Five Play…Plus (Arbors Records), was voted one of the Top 10 CDs of 2005 by Coda Magazine. The group’s newest recording, What The World Needs Now, was released in the Fall of 2008. FIVE PLAY is….
Janelle Reichman (United States) -Tenor Sax & Clarinet
Jami Dauber (United States) – Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Tomoko Ohno (Japan) – Piano
Noriko Ueda (Japan) – Bass
Sherrie Maricle (United States) – Drums
Symphony
Symphonic Pops
Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra are pleased to offer their Swingin', Sophisticated, Symphonic Spectacular!
DIVA's repertoire includes classic jazz standards arranged to highlight the innovative, unified sound of a symphony orchestra with a jazz orchestra.
Repertiore
Repertoire includes:
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
Prelude to a Kiss
Let's Dance/What a Little Moonlight Will Do
Rolf Lieberman - Concerto for Jazzband and Symphony Orchestra
More Info About Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra
Diva Management
Jami Dauber
One River Place
Apt. 817, NY 10036
Phone: 212-245-5092 Fax: 212-262-8765 Email: divajazz@nyc.rr.com