A Port Theatre DISCOVERY Series Presentation
Brave New Band is a quartet of dynamic musicians performing original, genre-bending music. Their compelling performances bridge the gap between classical and jazz, layering carefully crafted through-composed music and free improvisation over the edgy and danceable support of an alternative rhythm section. Their gorgeous, haunting melodies and crystalline purity of sound create an exciting fusion of classical virtuosity and world-jazz drive. Audiences love their music, describing it as, “stunningly beautiful – radiating sonic joy” and, “incredible, feel-it-in-your-solar-plexus beautiful.” Influenced by Steve Reich, Jan Garbarek, modern classical music, and all the best rock bands, Brave New Band is committed to exploring and extending the dramatic and emotional power of live acoustic music.
Chris Helman, soprano saxophone, and Nicole Arendt, marimba, have been performing together – and individually – for over 25 years. Helman was the first classical saxophonist to attend the prestigious Banff Centre for the Arts, after a Bachelor of Music program at the University of Alberta. He has performed in musical theatre shows and jazz combos across Canada, as part of the DuMaurier International Jazz Festival, and in Cuba and Guyana. Arendt earned a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Victoria, is currently the Principal Timpanist of the Vancouver Island Symphony, and has performed in a myriad of settings, including drummer in an all-girl original rock band, Baroque Timpanist in BC early music ensembles, percussionist in orchestras in Canada and Asia, and chamber musician in contemporary music and dance performances.
