Saxophones – Markus Howell, Zoe Obadia, Jasper Dutz, John Lowery, Skyler Hagner
Trumpets – Michael Dudley, Brandon Choi, Joey Lamb, Dave Adewumi
Trombones – Altin Sencalar, Norah DeChant, Sam Blakeslee, Gina Benalcazar
Guitar – Connor Evans
Piano – Dabin Ryu
Bass – Adam Olszewski
Drums – Jake Richter
Compositions, Arrangements, Alto Clarinet – Joseph Herbst
Originally written to be premiered in Asheville, NC, in March 2020, “20s” celebrates the 20s, ALL the 20s, with music ranging from the 1120s to the 24th century to today, while celebrating historical figures throughout the 20s such as Enheduanna, the 23rd Century BC High Priestess who was the first named author and poet in history, Mary Anning, who discovered the first complete Plesiosaurus fossil in 1823 and is known as “the greatest fossilist the world never new,” and more. Originally planned for March – Women’s History Month – and yet again planned for March, the music has a focus on women composers and figures through history, as Joseph’s arrangements and compositions bring the music and history to life in the light of the 2020’s.
Composer and woodwind player Joseph Herbst uses music as a medium for storytelling, often as part of collaborative projects, in order to push ourselves to see the world in different ways while strengthening our sense of community. Based in NYC, Joseph leads his own septet, 13-piece chamber ensemble, and big band, while actively working as a copyist to aid fellow composers in bringing their music to life. Joseph is the recipient of the 2023 ASCAP Johnny Mandel Prize, the 2023 24th Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize and Manny Album Commission, the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Awards in 2021 and 2023, and the ISJAC Sonic Awards Recipient for Arrangement 2021.