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ShapeShifter Plus is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that focuses on the advancement of innovative artistic voices. Our mission is to provide opportunities for all artists and organizations to creatively and freely realize their vision.
Founded in 2014 by Matt Garrison, Fortuna Sung, and Ravi Coltrane, ShapeShifter Plus seeks to promote human genius (especially when humans of all ethnicities collaborate) and to push the boundaries of what is considered a “presentable” work of art.
We are set to host over 250 events this upcoming year, with programming centered around our community, black arts and culture diaspora, education and an extensive cast of brilliant artists.
Since the pandemic we have moved all events online broadcast from ShapeShifter Lab and at remote locations, where we have presented a multitude of live-streamed concerts for audiences across the world. Our goal is to save our stage, fully engage our programming for 2021 and beyond, sustain our educational and community initiatives, and support musicians and our production team.
You support is imperative in determining the future of our work.
Thank you!
Matthew moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1994 and since then has performed, toured and recorded with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Chaka Khan, Pino Daniele, Meshell Ndege Ocello, Joni Mitchell, Whitney Houston, Wayne Shorter, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Coleman, Jim Beard, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Rita Marcotulli, Bill Cosby, Paul Simo
Matthew moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1994 and since then has performed, toured and recorded with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Chaka Khan, Pino Daniele, Meshell Ndege Ocello, Joni Mitchell, Whitney Houston, Wayne Shorter, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Coleman, Jim Beard, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Rita Marcotulli, Bill Cosby, Paul Simon, Cassandra Wilson, Wallace Roney, Geri Allen, Gary Thomas, John Mclaughlin, Scott Kinsey, Scott Henderson, The Gil Evans Orchestra, Tito Puente, Mike Gibbs, John Scofield, The Saturday Night Live Band, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny and many others.
In 1998 Matthew founded GarrisonJazz Productions through which he currently Produces, Promotes and Markets his music. The latest projects are "Shapeshifter Live 2010 - Part 1, Matthew Garrison Solo", "12 Months" and "GarrisonJazz Productions Music Center" a website which provides a modern approach to music education, production and proliferation. In 2012 Matthew opened, alongside his business partner Fortuna Sung, ShapeShifter Lab which is quickly becoming one of the most important and influential music venues in New York. In 2014, Matthew, alongside Ravi Coltrane and Fortuna Sung, formed the non-profit organization ShapeShifter Plus.
This 501c3 has a primary directive to further advance and implement many of the projects already set forth through ShapeShifter Lab.
Coming from a film industry background by way of her family, Fortuna Sung has spent years involved in children's education and event production. She co-founded ShapeShifter Lab and ShapeShifter Productions with Matt Garrison in 2012, and ShapeShifter Plus in 2014.
Ravi Coltrane is a critically acclaimed Grammy™ nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. In the course of a twenty plus year career, Mr. Coltrane has worked as a sideman to many, recorded noteworthy albums for himself and others and founded a prominent independent record label, RKM.
Ravi has released six albums as a leader. His lat
Ravi Coltrane is a critically acclaimed Grammy™ nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. In the course of a twenty plus year career, Mr. Coltrane has worked as a sideman to many, recorded noteworthy albums for himself and others and founded a prominent independent record label, RKM.
Ravi has released six albums as a leader. His latest, 'Spirit Fiction', was released in June of 2012 for the Blue Note label. Additional credits include performances as well as recordings with Elvin Jones, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Baron, Steve Coleman, McCoy Tyner, Jack DeJohnette, Matt Garrison, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Geri Allen, Joanne Brackeem, The Blue Note 7, among others. He is a co-leader of the Saxophone Summit with Joe Lovano and Dave Liebman.
In a career that spans five decades and includes collaborations with some of the most iconic figures in modern jazz, NEA and Grammy winner Jack DeJohnette has established an unchallenged reputation as one of the greatest drummers in the history of the genre. The list of creative associations throughout his career is lengthy and diverse: J
In a career that spans five decades and includes collaborations with some of the most iconic figures in modern jazz, NEA and Grammy winner Jack DeJohnette has established an unchallenged reputation as one of the greatest drummers in the history of the genre. The list of creative associations throughout his career is lengthy and diverse: John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Keith Jarrett, Chet Baker, George Benson, Stanley Turrentine, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Joe Henderson, Freddy Hubbard, Betty Carter and so many more. Along the way, he has developed a versatility that allows room for hard bop, R&B, world music, avant-garde, and just about every other style to emerge in the past half-century.
Lydia DeJohnette was born in the UK.
She worked in advertising before moving to the USA in 1967. Since 1976, she has worked as a booking agent, manager and tour manager of jazz artist Jack DeJohnette and his bands. She is integral in helping his career, covering bookings, travel, business management and grant writing. She has been involve
Lydia DeJohnette was born in the UK.
She worked in advertising before moving to the USA in 1967. Since 1976, she has worked as a booking agent, manager and tour manager of jazz artist Jack DeJohnette and his bands. She is integral in helping his career, covering bookings, travel, business management and grant writing. She has been involved in art design and production of recording packages. She has also been involved in, consulted on and produced numerous shows/concerts. She went to art school for 5 years and is a painter.
Now in the sixth decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. In addition to being recognized as a legendary pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960’s. As a member
Now in the sixth decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. In addition to being recognized as a legendary pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960’s. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet that pioneered a groundbreaking sound in jazz, he also developed new approaches on his own recordings, followed by his work in the 70s - with record-breaking albums such as "Headhunters" - that combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. "Rockit" and "Future Shock" marked Hancock's foray into electronic dance sounds; during the same period he also continued to work in an acoustic setting with V.S.O.P., which included ex-Miles Davis bandmates Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams.
Hancock received an Academy Award for his Round Midnight film score and 14 Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year for "River: The Joni Letters," and two 2011 Grammy Awards for his last album, the globally collaborative CD, "The Imagine Project." Many of his compositions, including "Canteloupe Island," "Maiden Voyage," "Watermelon Man" and "Chameleon," are modern standards..
Hancock serves as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and as Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. He is a founder of The International Committee of Artists for Peace (ICAP), and was recently given the “Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres” by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon. In 2011 Hancock was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, and in December of 2013, received a Kennedy Center Honor. In 2014 he was was named the 2014 Norton Professor Of Poetry at Harvard University, completing his lectures series, “The Ethics Of Jazz,” as part of the Charles Eliot Norton Lecture Series for a period of six weeks. His memoirs, Herbie Hancock: Possibilities, were published by Viking in 2014, and in February 2016 he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. A member of The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Hancock is currently in the studio at work on a new album.
Photograph by Douglas Kirkland.
Roberta Escamilla Garrison Born in San Francisco, at 5 years old she began studying at the San Francisco Ballet School under the tutelage of Harold Christiansen.
Moving to New York in '66, she intensely lived the great season of ferment which animated Manhattan in the Sixties and the Seventies. The wife of the well known jazz musician, Ji
Roberta Escamilla Garrison Born in San Francisco, at 5 years old she began studying at the San Francisco Ballet School under the tutelage of Harold Christiansen.
Moving to New York in '66, she intensely lived the great season of ferment which animated Manhattan in the Sixties and the Seventies. The wife of the well known jazz musician, Jimmy Garrison, she breathed the electrifying atmosphere of the New York Jazz scene and the limitless climate of the post modegeneration of American choreographers who gathered at the legendary Judson Church. After years of intense and prolific choreographic work with her company, after a continued exploration of the dialogue between dance and Jazz, after many collaborations with great musicians, nurtured and inspired by these together with her highly original improvisations, Garrison has realized a mature and recognizable personal artistic style.
NEA Jazz Master and GRAMMY Award-winning drummer-producer, Terri Lyne Carrington, has
enjoyed a four-decade-plus career playing with jazz luminaries, Herbie Hancock, Wayne
Shorter, Stan Getz, Al Jarreau and countless others. She received a full scholarship to Berklee
College of Music at 11 years old and currently serves as founder/artistic d
NEA Jazz Master and GRAMMY Award-winning drummer-producer, Terri Lyne Carrington, has
enjoyed a four-decade-plus career playing with jazz luminaries, Herbie Hancock, Wayne
Shorter, Stan Getz, Al Jarreau and countless others. She received a full scholarship to Berklee
College of Music at 11 years old and currently serves as founder/artistic director of the Berklee
Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. In 2019 she was named a Doris Duke Artist and also
released the critically acclaimed double album, Waiting Game, with band Social Science, which
won Album of the Year and Group of the Year in the 2020 DownBeat Critics Poll, as well as the
prestigious Edison Award for Music.
Arturo O'Farrill, pianist, composer, and educator, was born in Mexico and grew up in New York City. Arturo’s professional career began with the Carla Bley Band and continued as a solo performer with a wide spectrum of artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Bowie, Wynton Marsalis, and Harry Belafonte.
In 2007, he founded the Afro Latin J
Arturo O'Farrill, pianist, composer, and educator, was born in Mexico and grew up in New York City. Arturo’s professional career began with the Carla Bley Band and continued as a solo performer with a wide spectrum of artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Bowie, Wynton Marsalis, and Harry Belafonte.
In 2007, he founded the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the performance, education, and preservation of Afro Latin music.
An avid supporter of all the Arts, Arturo has performed with Ballet Hispanico, Ron Brown’s EVIDENCE Dance company, and the Malpaso Dance Company, for whom he has written two ballets.
Arturo’s well-reviewed and highly praised “Afro-Latin Jazz Suite” from the album CUBA: The Conversation Continues(Motéma) took the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition as well as the 2016 Latin Grammy Award (his fifth Grammy) for Best Latin Jazz Recording. In addition, his composition “Three Revolutions” from the album Familia-Tribute to Chico and Bebo also received the Best Instrumental Composition Grammy in 2018.
http://www.arturoofarrill.com/
A first-call accompanist, producer, composer and bandleader, New York bassist Massimo Biolcati is known as a founding member of Gilfema, the acclaimed collective trio with Hungarian drummer Ferenc Nemeth and West African guitarist and vocalist Lionel Loueke. Hailing from a Swedish/Italian family, Biolcati has worked with some of jazz’s mo
A first-call accompanist, producer, composer and bandleader, New York bassist Massimo Biolcati is known as a founding member of Gilfema, the acclaimed collective trio with Hungarian drummer Ferenc Nemeth and West African guitarist and vocalist Lionel Loueke. Hailing from a Swedish/Italian family, Biolcati has worked with some of jazz’s most celebrated artists, including tours with Paquito D’Rivera, Terence Blanchard, Ravi Coltrane, Lizz Wright, and Luciana Souza. He also runs iReal Pro, the music app he created in 2009 that has become an essential tool for musicians and music students.
Jeff has spent twenty years working in the field of non-profit Education, most of them at the EdTech start-up ReadWorks where he is currently the Director of Product Development. During that same time, he has been a Trustee of the SF Bay Area's Fleishhacker Foundation, where he sits on the Education committee and chairs the Special Arts c
Jeff has spent twenty years working in the field of non-profit Education, most of them at the EdTech start-up ReadWorks where he is currently the Director of Product Development. During that same time, he has been a Trustee of the SF Bay Area's Fleishhacker Foundation, where he sits on the Education committee and chairs the Special Arts committee. A devotee of music, theatre, and film, Jeff lives in Brooklyn with his wife, two children, and two cats.
Rachael has been working backstage in New York city, in various capacities, since 2005. Raised by a journalist and a playwright, she has always felt close to the arts and continues to seek avenues for participation in the community.
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