Described as “Fiery, Captivating and Refreshingly Original” (Saratoga Living) Nu Deco Ensemble continues to push the boundaries of live orchestral performance through unique and innovative collaborations, celebrations of today’s most exciting living composers, & new symphonic suites of some of the greatest popular artists of all time. Miami’s genre-bending orchestra, Nu Deco enters its fifth season with the debut at their new residence, The Citadel in Little Haiti, with a concert featuring a collaboration with multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning superstar Wyclef Jean, as well as the return to the Adrienne Arsht Center, New World Center and the North Beach Bandshell featuring a world-class roster of guest artists and living composers.
Musical highlights include works by Caroline Shaw, Darcy James Argue, Jessie Montgomery, Jonathan Bailey Howard, Steven Freund, and Sarah Kirkland Snider, a world-premiere of the first orchestral work commissioned for Grammy Award-winning pianist Robert Glasper at New World Center, as well, symphonic suites of the music of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Fleetwood Mac, Earth Wind and Fire, and Radiohead.
Additional guest collaborators include New Orleans indie ensemble Hurray for the Riff Raff, pianist and composer Pascal Le Boeuf, the Miami Gospel Choir and keyboardist and singer PJ Morton (Maroon 5).
Nu Deco Ensemble will also release their debut album this fall featuring music of Nicholas Omiccioli, Sam Hyken, Kishi Bashi, Outkast, Daft Punk, and collaborations with Kishi Bashi, Danay Suarez, Spam All-Stars, and Andy Akiho. Further exciting developments this season include return performances to the Boca Festival of the Arts and South Beach Wine and Food Festival, and the ensemble’s inaugural year as a part of Red Light Management.
In addition to new community, educational and outreach activities in Little Haiti, Nu Deco Ensemble will continue its immersive educational programming with performances for thousands of students across all Miami-Dade county, in-school workshops, side-by-side rehearsals and the launch of its youth orchestra initiative, Nu Deco NXT in early fall.
The season opens October 11-12 at the new state-of-the-art theater located at The Citadel in Little Haiti. The Citadel includes a broadcast ready black-box theater with world-class production capabilities, a full food hall, and access to one of Miami’s most spacious rooftop bars with 360 vistas. The opening program includes Darcy James Argue’s Neighborhood, Banner from composer Jessie Montgomery, Steven Freund’s Unremixed, and a symphonic journey with the Prince of Motown Marvin Gaye. The performance will include a very special collaboration with Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum Haitian artist Wyclef Jean.
On November 9th, the ensemble returns to Miami Beach’s architectural treasure, the North Beach Bandshell, for a night of music under the stars. This performance brings together local Miamians of all ages, backgrounds and cultures for an eclectic program which celebrates the city’s unique history and diversity. Music will celebrate works from their Debut Album and also include music of Depeche Mode, Jessica Meyer, as well as new orchestral works by members of the ensemble; and a special collaboration to be announced.
On December 12, and continuing their long-standing Arts Partnership, Nu Deco performs its first concert of the season at the Adrienne Arsht Center, a holiday infused program centering on a special collaboration with Maroon 5 member and 2018 Grammy Award winner PJ Morton and the return of the Miami Mass Choir. The program will also include the premiere of the Nu Deco Nutcracker and other Miami inspired holiday favorites.
January 24-25, Nu Deco Ensemble returns to The Citadel to feature music from Caroline Shaw and Jonathan Bailey Howard. The concert will also include a suite of music by Fleetwood Mac and a special collaboration featuring the New Orleans indie-ensemble, Hurray for the Riff Raff.
Nu Deco’s annual commissioning series returns March 13-14 to New World Center featuring the world-premiere orchestral work by Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist and composer, Robert Glasper. The performance will also feature Prokofiev’s “Symphony No. 5, Mvmt. II”, Terry Riley’s In C and a new suite of music of James Brown.
May 2nd will see a return to the Adrienne Arsht Center with a performance of Penelope by Sarah Kirkland Snider, featuring mezzo-soprano Amanda Crider (Artistic Director of Miami’s IlluminArts), selections of Holst’s The Planets, a suite based on the music of Earth Wind and Fire and a special collaboration to be announced later this season.
The season closes May 15-16 at The Citadel with a program of music by John Adams, Marc Mellits, a collaboration with composer, pianist and electronic artist Pascal Le Boeuf, and the orchestras second symphonic suite from the vast catalog of Radiohead. A second featured collaborator to be announced later this season.
For more information about Nu Deco Ensemble’s fifth season, and to purchase memberships, subscriptions and tickets for their performances, please visit www.nu-deco.org.