About Oliver

Whether composing major commissioned works for the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra or the Brooklyn Philharmonic; creating chamber pieces for the Arditti and Flux String Quartets, the World Sax Quartet, and the San Francisco Contemporary Players; arranging for pop diva Bjork, rocker Lou Reed and rap group A Tribe Called Quest; collaborating with poet Ntozake Shange, choreographers Ron Brown and Marlies Yearby, Native American vocalist Mary Redhouse, Korean kumongo player Jin Hi Kim, Chinese bamboo flute player Shuni Tsou; performing with MacArthur Award recipients Anna Devere Smith (actress/author) and Patricia Williams (writer/law professor/political commentator); sharing the stage with hip-hop artist Mos Def and pop star Me'shell Ndegeocello; or leading his own Organ Quartet, Steel Quartet, Big Band and cooperative ensembles the World Saxophone Quartet and Trio 3; renaissance man Oliver Lake views it all as parts of the same whole. 



Lake attributes much of his diverse array of musical styles and disciplines to his experience with the Black Artists Group (BAG), the legendary multi-disciplined and innovative St. Louis collective he co-founded with poets Ajule Rutlin, and musicians Julius Hemphill and Floyd La Flore over 35 years ago. Also a co-founder of the internationally acclaimed World Saxophone Quartet with Hemphill, Hamiet Bluiett and David Murray, Oliver continues to collaborate with several notable choreographers, poets and a veritable Who's Who of the progressive jazz scene of the late 20th century, performing all over the U.S., Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.

Currently, Oliver is active both composing and touring with his Organ Quartet, Big Band, the World Saxophone Quartet, Trio 3, Tarbaby and as a solo performer.

Big Band Project & Funding

I (Oliver) am in the pre-production phase of recording my second Big Band album, set to be completed by early summer of 2012. The album will be released on Passin’ Thru, a 501(c)(3) non-profit imprint I founded in 1988, which is dedicated to fostering, promoting and advancing the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of jazz, new music and other disciplines in relation to music. 

The current funding needed to complete the project is $6,000, with rehearsal, recording, musician fees, mixing, mastering and pressing all taken into account. 

To be able to bring together 17 exceptional musicians and make an album is a remarkable feat these days and we need all the help we can get!

For Your Contribution

I will personally express my gratitude to everyone who helps contribute to the funding of my Big Band's second album. I am offering a digital-download to all contributors before the album is pressed to CD, and depending on the level contribution, I am also offering autographed copies of the album, digital copies of the previous Big Band CD, my Organ Quartet's latest CD, my recently-released book of original poetry, original pieces of artwork, complimentary guest-list invites to concerts and a personal invite to a day at the recording session for this project.