Kneebody, Aaron Parks'S Little big

This double bill of visionary artists is a fitting close to this inaugural year of Terence Blanchard’s UpSwing series.

ABOUT KNEEBODY
An explosive GRAMMY-nominated quartet made up of forward-thinking artists including saxophonist Ben Wendel, keyboardist Adam Benjamin, trumpeter Shane Endsley, and drummer and bassist Nate Wood, Kneebody channels rock-informed energy into their soul-jazz, bebop and electro-funk compositions. Formed by former Eastman School of Music and CalArts students who have worked with artists ranging from Prince, Snoop Dogg and Bruno Mars to Tigran Hamasyan, Donny McCaslin, Meshell Ndegeocello and De La Soul, the band has carved out a distinct group identity, releasing thirteen albums including their latest Edition Records release, Live at Le Crescent.

ABOUT AARON PARKS LITTLE BIG
Aaron Parks Little Big is the brainchild of acclaimed pianist and composer Aaron Parks. The ensemble features guitarist Greg Tuohey, bassist David Ginyard Jr., and drummer Jongkuk Kim. Together, they craft a genre-blending sound that seamlessly fuses jazz, rock, and
electronica, resulting in compositions that are both rhythmically intricate and melodically captivating. The band’s eponymous debut album, Little Big, released in 2018, was lauded for its innovative approach and cohesive interplay among members. Building on this foundation, they released Little Big II: Dreams of a Mechanical Man in 2020, further exploring their distinctive sonic landscape. In 2024, the ensemble made their Blue Note Records debut with Little Big III, marking Parks’ second release on the label as a bandleader since 2008’s Invisible Cinema. Co-produced by Parks and Blue Note President Don Was, the album captures the band’s raw energy and showcases their evolution. Parks reflects, “There’s something about this record that feels like it captures the energy of the band in a more raw and honest way.” Critics have praised the ensemble’s synergy and innovative compositions. AllMusic highlighted Little Big III as showcasing “Parks’ most confident writing while showcasing the canny maturity of the quartet.” Aaron Parks Little Big continues to push the boundaries of contemporary jazz, offering listeners a rich tapestry of sound that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.