Exploding Star Orchestra

Origin

Chicago, Illinois

Years active

2005–present

Genres

jazz, free jazz, avant-garde jazz, contemporary jazz, third stream, eclectic fusion

Instruments

cornet, flute, piano, flugelhorn, guitar, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, trombone, vibraphone, marimba, tubular bells, electric bass, acoustic bass, drums, percussion, saw, voice, synth, wurlitzer, gongs, temple blocks, synth bass, piccolo trumpet, modular synth, violin, cello, electronic renderings

Biography

The Exploding Star Orchestra is a musical collective led by cornetist, composer, and visual artist Rob Mazurek. Formed in 2005 in Chicago, the orchestra was conceived following an invitation from the Chicago Cultural Center and the Jazz Institute to represent the contemporary and avant-garde side of the city's sound. The group's lineup is rotating, featuring musicians from diverse musical backgrounds, which gives each project a unique sound.

The music of the Exploding Star Orchestra is known for its conceptual and narrative approach, frequently exploring cosmic themes, transformations, and the interconnection between different life forms. Their debut album, "We Are All from Somewhere Else" (2007), exemplifies this characteristic by telling a story involving stars, stingrays, electric eels, and the journey of a bird into a phoenix and, ultimately, a new star. The orchestra incorporates elements of free jazz, avant-garde, electronics, and even sounds captured in natural environments, such as the electric eels recorded by Mazurek at a research laboratory in Brazil.

Throughout its trajectory, the Exploding Star Orchestra has collaborated with several renowned musicians, including Bill Dixon and Roscoe Mitchell, and released critically acclaimed albums. The orchestra also stands out for the integration of visual arts, with projections of Mazurek's paintings being displayed during live performances. Although based in Chicago, their influence and collaboration with Brazilian artists, such as in the São Paulo Underground project, demonstrate the breadth and diversity of the work of Rob Mazurek and the Exploding Star Orchestra.