The Lunar Octet

Preparing to celebrate their 40th anniversary of playing original Latin jazz, Ann Arbor’s award-winning Lunar Octet will celebrate their homecoming to the Ark by playing music from their new CD on Summit Records called “Convergence”. 

The record was the #1 New Release in Latin Jazz on Amazon, and it was named among the best jazz CDs in the Annual Jazz Critics Poll, the Roots Music Report, and by Bayou Blue Radio.

The critics have said: 

​”14 sizzling tracks.”
(Jazziz Magazine)

​”Convergence bursts with joy and authority.”
(Downbeat Magazine)
​
“Great stuff.  The very best of arranging and instrumental art.”
(JAZZthing Magazine)

“Colorful and tight grooves, gorgeous three-horn arrangements, and strong solos.”
(Jazz Life Magazine)

“An extremely skillfully played recording, excellent soloing, and impeccable percussion.”
(Jazzism Magazine)

“A multifaceted piece of art that is a pleasure to return to.”
(Jazz Podium Magazine)

The record was the #1 “Most Added CD” by radio stations on the Jazz Week Jazz Album Chart and on the NACC Jazz Album Chart.

From the first note of “Convergence”, you know that the Lunar Octet offers creative and original Latin jazz.  The band plays highly original and eclectic music drawing on Cuban and Puerto Rican salsa, rock, African high-life music, and Brazilian sambas to forge a new sound enriched by these traditions.   The band’s original compositions involve rich arrangements and strong focus on soloists. Their music is exciting, dynamic, and powerful, including fiery Latin grooves, driving funk rhythms, swinging bop tunes, and romantic ballads. 

Since its debut, the band has carried its high-energy message to listeners and dancers, jazz, R&B, and rock fans alike. Through hundreds of performances, the band has expanded its following among audiences, including in the Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival, the Flint Jazz Festival, the Columbus Arts Festival, the Lancaster Festival, the Ann Arbor Art Fair, the WEMU/Depot Town Winter Jazz Series, Rusty’s Jazz Cafe, Ann Arbor’s Top of the Park, the Bird of Paradise, the Del Rio, Mr. Flood’s Party, the Blind Pig, the Detroit Festival of the Arts, Detroit’s New Center Park, Toledo’s CityFest, Toledo’s Rib-Off, the Ann Arbor Art Fair, and many more.

Join the band for a very special performance of their new repertoire in their favorite close-to-home venue.

MUSICIANS:

Brandon Cooper—trumpet, flugelhorn, vocal 

Stephen Hiltner–alto saxophone, Bb clarinet 

Paul Vornhagen—tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto clarinet 

Sam Clark–guitar

Keaton Royer–piano

Jeff Dalton—acoustic bass, electric bass, vocal 

Jon Krosnick—drums

Aron Kaufman—congas, bongos, vocal 

Olman Piedra—timbales, Latin percussion