LAFO in Concert with Ali Ryerson

This exciting concert reunites the Los Angeles Flute Orchestra with Ali Ryerson after their standing room only performance at the National Flute Association Convention in Chicago! The LAFO’s one-of-a-kind low flutes will be in full force to collaborate with this world-class soloist. The concert will feature original works for flute by Ali Ryerson and Peter Senchuk, including the World Premiere of Nighthawks a jazz suite for solo alto flute and flute ensemble by Peter Senchuk.

The Los Angeles Flute Orchestra (LAFO), founded in 1999 has become one of the most recognizable chamber ensembles in the Los Angeles area, performing at venues ranging from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Disney Hall - Redcat Theater, to Miles Playhouse, Grand Park in downtown L.A. and the Santa Monica Pier. The group has also garnered national attention and praise in the flute community with their featured flute choir performances at recent National Flute Association Conventions in Anaheim, Las Vegas and Chicago. With a versatile and unique instrumentation featuring the entire flute family from Piccolo to some of the largest flutes in the world like the one of a kind F Contra Bass flute, and Sub Contra Bass flute as well as unique ethnic instruments, LAFO’s style covers the full spectrum from baroque and classical favorites, to jazz, pop, contemporary and world music. The group is dedicated to the performance of original works and often collaborates with, and premieres works by local and contemporary composers. Whether on the concert stage, in the park, in the sanctuary, or at a private event, the group will present both original and traditional music heard nowhere else.

Jazz flutist Ali Ryerson consistently ranks among the top flutists in the Downbeat Jazz Poll, with a career spanning over four decades. She has become an international touring and recording artist, with performances ranging from Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, to the Blue Note in both NY and Japan, plus festival appearances worldwide. Ryerson has released nearly two-dozen albums as leader or co-leader on major jazz labels such as Concord Records, DMP, Capri, and legendary jazz producer Bob Thiele’s Red Baron. She has recorded and performed with jazz greats such as Stephane Grappelli, Red Rodney, Roy Haynes, Hubert Laws, Mike Mainieri, Art Farmer, Kenny Barron, Frank Wess, and Joe Beck, as well as classical artists Julius Baker, Luciano Pavarotti (while principal flutist with the Monterey Bay Orchestra), and harpsichord master Anthony Newman. She is a respected composer, educator and author having directed numerous jazz festivals, founding the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band, and serving on faculty at jazz camps and universities around the world. She published her widely acclaimed Jazz Flute Practice Method book in ’09, and has written numerous instructional articles for The Flutist Quarterly, Downbeat Magazine, and Flute Talk, among others. As a composer, Ali has received numerous commissions for flute ensembles, many of which have been premiered at NFA conventions. Ms. Ryerson recently joined the faculty at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield CT as flute professor, and continues to conduct master classes worldwide, including her week-long annual master class held at Hidden Valley Music Seminars in California. A Gemeinhardt Artist and Clinician, Ms. Ryerson has an Autograph Series of flutes she helped design for Gemeinhardt. Ali is the newly appointed Artist in Residence for Gemeinhardt, as well as their National & International Specialty Flute Shop Sales Manager. Her most recent recording projects include Con Brio! (ACR Music) and Game Changer – The Ali Ryerson Jazz Flute Big Band (Capri Records), featuring Hubert Laws and Ryerson’s 19-piece groundbreaking jazz flute ensemble. Game Changer was in the TOP 10 on the US Jazz Charts for airplay for six straight weeks. www.aliryerson.com

Composer Peter Senchuk’s music ranges in style from orchestral to jazz to films. His music has been performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan. His concert works have been commissioned and performed by numerous groups and artists including Masters of Music Big Band, The National Flute Association’s Professional, Collegiate and High School Flute Choirs, Texas Womans University Flute Choir, Raleigh Flute Choir, Santa Monica College Wind Ensemble, Orchestra Santa Monica Woodwind Quintet, Sarah Jackson, Keith Underwood, Patti Adams, Ali Ryerson, Peter Sheridan and jazz trombone legend Curtis Fuller. His music has received numerous awards in the National Flute Association’s Newly Published Music award for Flute Choir and Flute Solo. Peter’s music is published by Forest Glade Music. www.forestglademusic.com

LAFO in Concert with Ali Ryerson

First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica

1220 2nd Street

Santa Monica, CA 90401

Admission - $15 Adults $10 Students

Advance reservations at eventbee.com

Tickets available at the door - cash, check or charge

Reception following concert

Parking available across the street at Santa Monica Parking Structure #2

For more information on the LAFO - www.losangelesfluteorchestra.net