Within Us is the latest CD (2021) released by this groundbreaking all-star big band whose projects have garnered no less than 7 GRAMMY nominations! Founded in 1995, the Surge has been described as “inventive, colorful, playful, provocative, and swinging” – combining a foundation in the jazz tradition with pronounced influences of American folk, classical, funk, roots, and latin musics." Their sold-out Sept. 2021 CD release concert at Birdland in New York is indicative of the respect and enthusiasm this 19-piece ensemble has earned -recently heralded as simply “one of the best large jazz ensembles in the country” (New York Music Daily).
Critically acclaimed from its initial 1996 release (named one of the year’s 5 best jazz CDs by JazzTimes critic David Franklin), the band catapulted to the attention of a world-wide jazz audience with the release of A Comet’s Tail (2009) & River Runs (2013) – both of which received GRAMMY nominations for Best Instrumental Composition and/or Arrangements.
However, it was Whispers on the Wind, the ensemble’s 2017 release, that truly blew the roof off!! In addition to Four GRAMMY nominations (including Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album), the CD was also named #1 Big Band Album in the 39th Annual Jazz Station Awards amongst many other end of year honors. “A masterpiece.” (Sounds of Timeless Jazz).
The Surge has worked with a “Who’s Who” of jazz royalty over the years – performing at jazz fests, series, and major international jazz conferences with guest such as: Randy Brecker, Chick Corea, Bob Mintzer, Dave Liebman, Benny Golson, Nneena Freelon, Karin Allyson, and many others.
The Jazz Surge continues celebrating their 25th anniversary through the Spring of 2022, performing selections from “Within Us” (recently cited as “hands down one of the top 10 jazz albums of the year” by Lucid Culture) as well as audience favorites from earlier albums.
Chuck Owen’s compositions have been performed widely; by the Netherlands’ Metropole Orch., WDR Big Band, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orch. and numerous others. The recipient of a 2009 Guggenheim Fellowship and five individual GRAMMY nominations Chuck’s thoughtful, creative, evocative, and intensely personal work is steeped in the jazz tradition but draws liberally and often playfully from a diverse array of additional influences that include contemporary classical, American folk/roots music, Latin, funk. . .even country!
Since its founding in 1995, Owen’s primary creative outlet has been the 19-piece Jazz Surge for whom he has served as conductor, primary composer/arranger, and producer of each of the Surge’s highly feted CDs. Whispers On the Wind, the ensemble’s 2017 release was recognized with 4 Grammy Nominations while also named #1 Big Band Album in the annual Jazz Station Awards. River Runs (2013), a stunning 5-movement genre-bending orchestral/big band hybrid also netted Owen with nominations for best instrumental composition and arranging.
A committed, passionate, and nationally respected jazz educator for 40 years; Owen recently retired from teaching at the University of South Florida; but continues to serve as President of ISJAC (International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers), an organization he was instrumental in founding.
The Simpkins Fine Arts Center is found in Building 4 of the EFSC Cocoa Campus. Enter through the main entrance from Clearlake Ave, and Building 4 will be the second building on the left. Parking is located on the north side of the building; while entrance to the main hall is located opposite on the south side of Building 4.
