The Jazz Mandolin Project

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- Bio

Since 1993, Jamie Masefield's Jazz Mandolin Project has been offering an entirely new concept of what the mandolin can do. Pushing the boundaries with a new innovative sound, The Jazz Mandolin Project has toured throughout the US and internationally with a unique approach. In its latest chapter, it's exploring the realm of working in multiple mediums. The name itself, The Jazz Mandolin Project suggests an ongoing experiment, and so it is that Masefield is currently steering his group away from the concert stage and moving it in front of a movie screen to shed light on classic literature and the ethics of Leo Tolstoy, who has often received the title as the greatest storyteller in modern history (1828-1910). Unlike anything Masefield has done before, the quartet now undertakes the challenge of performing live, an original soundtrack score to a Russian story written 120 years ago,,,, but with a modern American treatment. Tolstoys tale is of a man spurred on by the Devil to acquire more and more land, who ends up dying of exhaustion in distant lands from pure greed. The story takes on a modern context by the inclusion of video footage of American lifestyles and landscapes, edited to follow the storyline. While traversing the US on tour throughout 2005, Masefield collected relevant footage with a handheld video camera that also gives a realistic keyhole view to the bumpy, fast life of a traveling musician. James Joyce said, How Much Land Does a Man Need? is the greatest story the world of literature knows. “Masefield delivers Tolstoy's parable on a silver platter, with extra helpings of style and grace. Musically and visually stunning, it is an experience you remember long afterwards... One you will hold close to your heart.” Miles Marek Producing Director, Fairfield Theatre Company March 29, 2008. "If this show were only to involve the timely telling of Tolstoy's story of man’s greed, then it would be worth seeing. But the incredible musicianship of the performers in such a unique context is a special gift to the audience." Don Morton Associate Director, Office of Student Life Rhode Island School of Design April 19, 2008. This performance is a unique combination of literature, video and live musical accompaniment. Leo Tolstoys famous short story, How Much Land Does a Man Need? is retold through narration, a new magical body of composed music and video footage that Masefield collected while touring the country in 2005. The contemporary observations follow the Russian tale in a modern context that allows the audience to reflect and ask questions of its own time and place.

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Phil Fish
May 04, 02:35 PM

St. Louis, MO. wants you here, come play this summer.
Nov 28 2007, 01:53 AM

Radiohead and mandolin? Neil Young and mandolin? Who knew it could be so good!
Nov 12 2007, 10:45 AM

the shit