October 23, 2021
7:00 pm

The Five Families Ensemble, directed by Monk Rowe, stretches the boundaries of the traditional chamber ensemble by combining sounds from each of the four instrument groups (brass, woodwinds, percussion and strings) with a fifth contribution from the human voice.

Their repertoire is arranged specifically for the group and ranges from Beethoven to Brubeck to the Blues, as well as original compositions.

Members of the Five Families are Tom McGrath (percussion); Nick Fields (trumpet, baritone horn & vocals); Monk Rowe (woodwinds and keyboards); Kristen Kopf (cello); and Liz Simchik (violin & vocals).

Photo: Romy Britell

About Monk Rowe

Monk Rowe weaves a robust career as a performer, educator and composer. In his position as Director of the Fillius Jazz Archive at Hamilton College he has personally interviewed over 300 jazz artists to preserve their unique and significant oral histories. He brings an engaging charisma to all his endeavors, including lectures and workshops on blues, improvisation, jazz history and aesthetic education. Equally adept performing on both piano and saxophone, Monk relates naturally to audiences and classes of all ages. In 2019 he was honored with the designation of “Living Legend” by the Oneida County History Center.

The Monk Rowe and the Five Families Ensemble performance is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.