In the life cycle of any band, but particularly a bigband, 20 years is a very long time.
What were the odds that a steampunk-themed jazz orchestra that cut its teeth in the basement of CBGB , and across the street at the Bowery Poetry Club , would still be a going concern long after those storied Bowery venues are gone?
Well, we are still here, still strong, still bringing the Musical Intrigue and Euphonious Spectacle. And in June, we are bringing it to Dizzy’s , where we will be celebrating 20 years of Secret Society, and another milestone besides: my own 50th birthday.
[A big shout-out to coffee for getting to me this point. Coffee: the beverage that brought you the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the double-bar at the end of every chart.]
Secret Society has been my passion project since I first came to New York to join the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop over two decades ago. The band has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams — it’s frankly astonishing to me that I have gotten away with doing this for so long! I look forward to celebrating our twenty year anniversary with all of you on June 13 & 14 at Dizzy’s.
CO-CONSPIRATORS
WINDS
Dave Pietro
Rob Wilkerson
Sam Sadigursky
John Ellis
Carl Maraghi
TRUMPETS
Seneca Black
Ravi Best
Matt Holman
Nadje Noordhuis
Ingrid Jensen (June 13) / David Smith (June 14)
TROMBONES
Mike Fahie
Ryan Keberle
Jacob Garchik
Jennifer Wharton
RHYTHM
Sebastian Noelle, guitar
Adam Birnbaum, piano
Matt Clohesy, bass
Jon Wikan, drums
COMPOSER–CONDUCTOR–RINGLEADER
Darcy James Argue