Exploding Star Orchestra

Outline

Exploding Star Orchestra is an ensemble founded by its trumpeter and director Rob Mazurek. The size of the orchestra and its membership remains fluid between recordings. They generally draw from Chicago's vibrant and diverse jazz scene, including veterans Jeff Parker (of Tortoise) and Damon Locks (of Trenchfooot and Black Monument Ensemble). Their music comes with no strict blueprints other than being avant-garde, psychedelic, and fusion friendly. It can shift from funky to high concept jazz in back to back pieces, all subject to Mazurek's overall vision, his compositional scope and consistently meticulous arrangements. There are some classical type of modern music elements in his pieces as well. The orchestra produces challenging music that is also highly rewarding.

Rob Mazurek's other work, Chicago Underground, Jeff Parker, Ban LaMar Gay, Isotope 217

Jeff Parker played with Turtoise for many years.

Damon Locks is en ex-member of Trenchfoot, and currently works with Black Monument Ensemble. 

Rob Mazurek: trumpet, voice, launeddas, electronics
Jeff Parker: guitar
Craig Taborn: keyboards
Angelica Sanchez: keyboards
Damon Locks: voice, electronics
Gerald Cleaver: drums
Mauricio Takara: percussion
Nicole Mitchell: flute, voice