Grammy-Winning John Patitucci Premieres Bass Concerto with Berklee Contemporary Orchestra at Jordan Hall April 3 April 3, 2012

The Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra (BCSO) will premiere a new piece by Grammy-winning bassist John Patitucci at a free concert Tuesday, April 3, 8:00 p.m., at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough Street, Boston. Patitucci, who is currently an artist in residence with the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, will be featured as a soloist on Fantasy on a River Theme, his new concerto for six-string electric bass and orchestra.

The concert will also feature Berklee composition competition winner Vicente Ortiz Gimeno's piece, “8 De Febrer," and faculty composer Jonathan Bailey Holland’s “Halcyon Sun.” In honor of John Williams' 80th birthday, selections from Schindler’s List and Star Wars will round out the program. The concert is made possible by Katie and Paul Buttenwieser.

The Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, an 80-piece ensemble directed by assistant professor Francisco Noya, is committed to performing great symphonic music of the past, present, and future. Its repertoire includes original compositions by Berklee faculty and students, contemporary music from around the globe, film scores, video game music, and more.

Acoustic bassist John Patitucci has performed throughout the world and as a studio musician with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Pat Metheny, Wynton Marsalis, Astrud and Joao Gilberto, Joao Bosco, and Dori Caymmi. Since 1985, his many recordings with Chick Corea, Aeos Elektric Band, and Akoustic Band, his six solo recordings for GRP Records, and his subsequent recordings have put him at the forefront of the jazz world and brought him worldwide acclaim, as well as two Grammy Awards and over 15 Grammy nominations. Patitucci is professor of jazz studies at the City College of New York and a frequent clinician and guest lecturer at schools around the world. His latest recording Remembrance features saxophone genius Joe Lovano and drum virtuoso Brian Blade.