Elan Mehler Sextet

Elan is happy to bring a sextet back to Birdland after last years sold out run! Since 2007, composer and pianist Elan Mehler has released eleven albums as a leader, featuring musicians such as Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas, Becca Stevens and many others. Elan toured worldwide, including headlining at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and The North Sea Jazz Festival. Elan brings this band to Birdland in advance of heading into the studio for his 12th record.One of the pre-eminent jazz musicians of his generation, Ben Monder has performed with Marc Johnson, Lee Konitz, Paul Motain, George Garzone and contributed guitar parts on David Bowies last album, Blackstar. Alto Saxophonist Loren Stillmans impressive portfolio includes collaborations with The Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra, Paul Motian Trio 2000+2, Carla Bley, and John Abercrombie among many others.Bassist Tony Scherr has worked with Bill Frisell, Willie Nelson, Rickie Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco, Rufus Wainwright, Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux, Jesse Harris, Richard Julian, Sasha Dobson, Shawn Colvin, The Abrams Brothers, and Teddy Thompson and many more.Scott Robinson has been one of the most sought after reed players in NYC for over 40 years. Robinson has appeared on more than 275 LP and CD releases, including 20 under his leadership,[with musicians such as Roscoe Mitchell, Joe Lovano, Ron Carter, Paquito DRivera, David Bowie, Maria Schneider, Rufus Reid and Buck Clayton. Four of these recordings won a Grammy Award. He has received four fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.[1] Legendary Tenor Saxophonist George Garzone has worked with everybody including Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, Jack DeJohnette, Rachel Z, Peter Erskine and John Patitucci among others. Some of Georges former students include Joshua Redman, Teadross Avery, Seamus Blake, Chris Cheek, Luciana Souza, Mark Turner, Donny McCaslin, Doug Yates, and the Grammy-Winning Drummer Antonio Sanchez.. Matt Wilson has released thirteen albums as a leader. Recognized on dozens of top ten lists, was listed 5 years in a row as the top drummer in Downbeats Rising star award and is a perennial front runner in any poll. One the Drummer of the Year from the Jazz journalists Association, twice. Hes also been grammy nominated and won Record of the Year and Musician of the Year from the JJA as well. Hes played at the White House with Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves and more and has worked with Andrew Hill, Elvis Costello, Christian McBride, John Zorn, Benny Golson, Jason Moran, Wynton Marsalis and many many other musicians. Cuban drummer and master improviser Francisco Mela is a favorite among jazzs elite instrumentalists, including McCoy Tyner, Joe Lovano, Kenny Barron, Quincy Jones, John Scofield, Cooper-Moore, William Parker, Ingrid Laubrock, Gary Bartz, Bobby Watson, and Chucho Valds.Photo is by Cody OLaughlin