Ars Nova Workshop

Mark Christman
905 S. 48th Street, Apt. D
Philadelphia, PA 19143

http://www.arsnovaworkshop.com/

Ars Nova Workshop is a Philadelphia non-profit jazz presenting organization encouraging support and greater understanding of creative, improvised and experimental music (in some cases, understood as free jazz or the avant-garde). Ars Nova Workshop intentionally programs events in alternative spaces showcasing divergent traditions/perspectives and challenging creative ambitions. As a consequence, it hopes to develop and engage audiences while contributing to the preservation and advancement of progressive music, art and social movements.

Since 2000, Ars Nova Workshop and founder/Director Mark Christman has curated and presented over 150 cutting edge events in Philadelphia (and beyond). Performances have included Dave Douglas' Witness, Tomasz Stanko Quartet, Marilyn Crispell, Peter Brotzmann's Die Like a Dog, 'Interstellar Space is the Place' with Marshall Allen/Rashied Ali duo, The Young Philadelphians (Marc Ribot, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and G. Calvin Weston), Greg Osby, Vandermark Five, Dr. Art Davis, and Sunny Murray Factor, among many other unique collaborations from leading figures in progressive music.

Ars Nova Workshop has sponsored festivals, lectures and exhibitions, including "Coltrane" and "Sun Ra Meets Napoleon: Fragments of the Alter-Future," juxtaposing historical materials of/or relating to jazz and contemporary art work.  We have presented concerts at clubs (Tritone), art galleries (Slought Foundation), theaters, and the University of Pennsylvania.  Ars Nova Workshop is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades and has been documented in the Philadelphia Inquirer, JazzTimes, Philadelphia CityPaper and Wire Magazine, among others.

Ars Nova Workshop also manages the career of pianist/composer Dave Burrell, well-known for his remarkable collaborations and recordings with Pharaoh Sanders, Marion Brown, Archie Shepp and David Murray. Ars Nova recently programmed a US tour for Mr. Burrell's 'Full-Blown Trio' (with bassist William Parker and drummer Andrew Cyrille) and co-produced the subsequent and critically-acclaimed recording on High Two, "Expansion."