GEORGE, first assembled during the COVID pandemic, “combines strategies from experimental jazz, ambient electronics, chamber music and more” (Nate Chinen). Their set will feature a solo by international dance artist Alina Sokulska and Ukrainian guest musicians, to be announced. Prior to GEORGE’s performance, SJZ’s High School All Stars will perform transposed arrangements of Ukrainian folk songs, and feature student arrangements crafted under the tutelage of John Hollenbeck. Prior to GEORGE’s performance, SJZ’s High School All Stars will perform transposed arrangements of Ukrainian folk songs, and feature student arrangements crafted under the tutelage of John Hollenbeck.

A concept conceived and assembled during the COVID pandemic by drummer John Hollenbeck, GEORGE describe that their sound is firmly planted outside any categories or labels. The quartet—Hollenbeck on drums and piano; Aurora Nealand on saxophone, keyboards, and vocals; Anna Webber on tenor sax and flute; and Chiquita Magic on keyboards and vocals—remotely recorded a literal “Proof of Concept” in March 2021. They finally met in person in January 2022 in Montreal, Canada, where they recorded Letters to George, set to be released in early 2023.

Kyiv-born, Barcelona based Alina Sokulska is an international dance artist, choreographer, performer, instructor and researcher. Her dance language was born in the realm of live jazz music and the intersections of social and urban dances, put in a perspective of contemporaneity. Dance for her is a tool to capture a fast changing moment in the dynamic cycles of life. This inspires her to look for improvisation and spontaneous composition structures in her work.