Called "stunningly beautiful and adventurous" (The New York City Jazz Record) and "one of the best jazz ensembles in the world "(Jazz Podium, Germany), The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra will celebrate 50 years of music-making as the band launches its 50th season at MIT's Kresge Auditorium, with music on themes of social consciousness, spirituality, and Boston cultural history – topics that have long been central to Aardvark concerts.  Among the selections will be Harvey’s Faces of Souls and Ellington’s It’s Freedom.   A highlight will be the premiere of Harvey’s latest work, American Agonistes, channeling the moods of sorrow and outrage so characteristic of our times. The concert is free and open to the public.  Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aardvark-jazz-orchestra-tickets-358579379577

The October 1 concert is presented by MIT Music & Theater Arts honoring Mark Harvey’s long teaching career at MIT.  Dr. Harvey recently retired after serving 40 years on the music faculty.  The venue, MIT’s mainstage Kresge Auditorium, is well-suited for Aardvark’s 50th season kickoff, as Kresge was home to Aardvark’s annual Spring concerts for more than 30 years, hosting such notable Aardvark events as the 1986 appearance with guest artist Jaki Byard, the 1999 Duke Ellington Centennial, and the 2019 concert with guest artist Ricky Ford.   Aardvark has given premieres of more than 200 works for jazz orchestra, has concertized extensively, and has released 16 CDs, including 10 discs on Leo Records, one of the world’s leading adventurous music labels.