Civil Disobedience is a project initiated by New York bassist David Ambrosio, showcasing the works of progressive jazz composers from the late 1960s Blue Note era. Featured composers include Bobby Hutcherson, Jackie McLean, Stanley Cowell, Harold Land, Joe Chambers, Duke Pearson, and James Spaulding.

Civil Disobedience was conceptualized and convened as an artistic response to current socioeconomic and social justice events, both on a domestic and global scale. By performing the politically conscious jazz compositions of the late 1960s Blue Note Era, Civil Disobedience seeks to bring forth the timeless messages embedded in this music and connect them with the pressing issues of today.

Band Members:
David Ambrosio - Bass
Bruce Barth - Piano
Danny McCaslin - Saxophone
Jason Palmer - Trumpet
Rudy Royston - Drums

⊹

David Ambrosio has been one of New York City’s finest freelance musicians and educators for the past 30 years. His current working projects as a leader are Civil Disobedience: Blue Note Records in the Progressive ‘60s—featuring Grammy-nominated saxophonist Donny McCaslin and drumming legend Victor Lewis—and the David Ambrosio Trio, featuring saxophonist Loren Stillman. In addition to his own ensembles, he is the co-leader of the David Ambrosio/Russ Meissner Sextet, 40Twenty, and Grupo Los Santos. He also performs in many other groups, including George Schuller’s Circle Wide, Matt Renzi Trio, Eri Yamamoto Trio, and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra. He has performed with such jazz greats as Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco, George Garzone, Joseph Jarmon, and Ralph Alessi. Currently, he is on the faculty at Hunter College and the New York Jazz Workshop in NYC.

Jazz pianist and composer Bruce Barth has been sharing his music with listeners the world over for more than 35 years. Originally from Pasadena, CA, Barth arrived on the New York jazz scene in 1988, and soon started working in the bands of Stanley Turrentine and Terence Blanchard. Barth’s first two albums as a leader, In Focus and Morning Call, were chosen for the New York Times’ top 10 lists. Barth has been a member of the Terell Stafford Quartet for more than 15 years, recording and performing extensively with this dynamic group. He has also had extended collaborations with Steve Wilson, Luciana Souza, Steve Nelson, and Tony Bennett.

Donny McCaslin is an American jazz saxophonist best known as the bandleader and primary saxophonist on David Bowie's final album, Blackstar. McCaslin began playing the sax at 12 in Santa Cruz, CA. His acumen led to a full scholarship at the Berklee College of Music, a four-year stint with Gary Burton’s quintet, and a subsequent three-year stretch with Steps Ahead. Additional shift work with Maria Schneider, Danilo Pérez, the Gil Evans Orchestra, and Elvis Costello also dot his resume. McCaslin’s hybrid of jazz and art rock is clearly evident in his two most recent albums.

Trumpeter, composer, and educator Jason Palmer has performed with Roy Haynes, Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ravi Coltrane, Jeff Ballard, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Common, Roy Hargrove, and Lewis Nash. In addition to performing on over 40 albums as a sideman, Palmer has recorded 17 albums under his own name on labels including Ayva, Steeplechase, Newvelle, and Giant Step Arts. Four of his recordings were reviewed by DownBeat magazine and received at least 4 stars. Palmer has toured in over 40 countries with saxophonists Mark Turner, Greg Osby, Grace Kelly, Allison Miller, and Matana Roberts.

First-call drummer Rudy Royston (Bill Frisell, JD Allen, Dave Douglas) has honed a thoroughly engaging voice as a composer and bandleader. His releases include his compelling debut 303 (2014), the raw and bracing trio follow-up Rise of Orion (2016) and the chamber quintet release Flatbed Buggy (2018).