Some backstory on Chicago-based alto saxophonist Greg Ward’s new album, Touch My Beloved’s Thought, to be released July 8 via Greenleaf Music: Ward was commissioned by the Jazz Institute of Chicago to create a long-form work paying tribute to Mingus’ classic LP The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady. Collaborating with Ward and acting as an inspiration in his writing was a troupe of dancers choreographed by Onye Ozuzu. The resulting piece, which premiered at the Chicago Jazz Festival in August 2015, incorporates and recasts unsung, overlooked passages from Mingus’ album. This video, which JazzTimes is premiering here, captures the process of rehearsals and performance that took place last summer.
"Touch My Beloved's Thought" by Greg Ward – Album Trailer from Diana Quiñones Rivera on Vimeo.
Release concerts:
July 8, Jazz Gallery, New York
July 29-30, The Green Mill, Chicago
JazzTimes is also pleased to present a premiere of the track “Daybreak” from Touch My Beloved’s Thought.
