Gale/ Rojak/ New York Chamber Symphony/ Schwarz - Rojak Rocks

For decades, John Rojak has been a staple in American brass music, performing with a number of chamber ensembles and orchestras such as American Brass Quintet, Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony; in Broadway shows including Les Misérables and The Producers; in big bands of Mel Lewis, Bob Mintzer, and Gerry Mulligan; and contributing to the pedagogy of the bass trombone as a faculty member of several institutions, including The Juilliard School, The Hartt School, and Aspen Music Festival and School. Needless to say he has taken the bass trombone and it's repertoire to new heights in the classical, contemporary, jazz, and commercial genres. Rojak presents his debut release on Navona Records, Rojak Rocks, a culmination of his experiences until now in the contemporary music scene, both in New York and around the world. Each of the works on this album have a history for Rojak, a time and place that marks a transcending moment in his prolific career. Whether coming to him from a close colleague or through an unexpected opportunity, the works on this collection have contributed to the development of Rojak's extensive and varying career as a brass player. Not only do these pieces illustrate significant moments in Rojak's career and in the development of new works for bass trombone, some of them incorporate elements of genres in which he worked, including jazz and commercial music.