Q&A: Art Of Time Ensemble's The Big Band Show

Need a little escape from pre-holiday planning and preparations? Art of Time Ensemble’s The Big Band Show, featuring a 25-piece big band on stage at the Harbourfront Centre’s intimate Enwave Theatre from Nov 30 to Dec 1, is just the ticket to get you in the celebratory spirit. For this latest production, Art of Time artistic director and conductor Andrew Burashko unites his classically trained ensemble with artists from other musical backgrounds to play three pieces which have never before been performed together: Stravinsky’s Ebony Concerto, Ellington’s The Nutcracker Suite and Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite No. 1. The evening pays tribute to both classical and jazz music, and the relationship and history connecting the two genres. Here, we chat with steel guitarist Don Rooke about this unique seasonal offering.

Theatromania: Tell us about Art of Time Ensemble’s The Big Band Show. How did you become involved with this production?

DR: I’m involved because of the Shostakovich Jazz Suite. He wrote a section that for some reason included lap steel guitar, which is what I play. Steel guitar is now such an arcane instrument, there are only a handful of practitioners in the area, which qualified me—only as much as the others.

Theatromania: As a jazz musician (steel guitar), what excites you most about collaborating with classically trained artists?

DR: I’m actually what might be called an “alternative folk” musician, but regardless, playing with musicians of this calibre, either jazz or classical, is exciting, humbling and frightening. They can play beautifully at the drop of a hat.

For me, playing an exact and featured part, however brief, is tough because I’m used to
changing things as I go, and playing only what I feel capable of playing at the time, no more. My part in this show is not technically difficult, it’s demanding in other ways.

Theatromania: Have you learned anything new during this process?

DR: I’m reminded that there is a deep, and deeply talented, pool of musicians in this city who should all be household names. And rich!

Theatromania: The show features Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, a jazz interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s seasonal classic The Nutcracker. If you could jazzify the sound of any other composer, who would it be?

DR: I used to love a record by Fritz Kreisler. That could work. Even though they weren’t all his compositions, it was a wonderful collection of short pieces.

Theatromania: What do you hope audiences take away from this performance?

DR: That it’s possible to quickly leave the city behind, head down to the waterfront and, through Andrew Burashko’s ensemble, be transported to another era that’s magical, seasonal, and far too rarely represented. I’d love to be in the audience!

The Big Band Show runs from Nov 30 to Dec 1, 8pm, at the Harbourfront Centre’s Enwave Theatre. Visit artoftimeensemble.com for more information and to buy tickets.