FEBRUARY 2006

"Forward Movement"
College Times
by Jessie Nelson

Local organization seeks to bring progressive jazz to PHX.

Phoenix Creative Music Movement is an up and coming organization dead set on spreading jazz and experimental music through Phoenix.  And thanks to head organizer Jen Rogers, Phoenix is getting a cultural shot in the arm every month on par with scenes on the East and West coast.  Nationally recognized jazz and experimental music groups convere on Modified Arts, located on Roosevelt in downtown Phoenix, once a month, with local jazz acts opening for them.  The audience is an eclectic bunch made up of students, musicians and avid listeners of this music.

This month's show, slated for Thursday, February 16, includes solo bassist Juini Booth, known for his work with the Sun Ra Arkestra - a fluctuating jazz orchestra led by the mysterious Sun Ra, a jazz genius from Alabama who claimed he was from another planet.  The Project will open the show.

"Each show features something different - we've had musical collages, non-pitched interpretations, sound narratives, mixed media, laptop DJs, jazz combos (from solo to nonette and everything in between) and more," Rogers said.  "You never know what is coming next and there really is something for everyone.  I think that as the word continues to spread, curiosities will be piqued and more people will come to check it out."