Revive Orchestra: Igniting Musical Marvels!
Dive into the extraordinary world of Revive Orchestra, a symphonic force curated by the visionary maestro Igmar Thomas. The orchestra made its thunderous debut at the iconic Carnegie Hall in 2022, creating a symphonic storm that marked the genesis of a groundbreaking musical journey.
In a whirlwind of creativity, Igmar Thomas, with 90% genius and a dash of assistance from the talented Vickie Yang, orchestrated an unforgettable show within a mere two weeks. This marked the birth of a musical powerhouse that seamlessly blends the vigor of a big band with the grandeur of a symphony—the birth of Revive Orchestra.
From those electrifying beginnings, Revive Orchestra has taken the music scene by storm. A phenomenal feat of returning to Carnegie Hall four times in just 18 months speaks volumes about the orchestra's prowess. The grandeur extended to the illustrious Kennedy Center, gracing its famed Opera House twice in a single calendar year. The BET Awards in Los Angeles witnessed Revive Orchestra's brilliance at the Peacock Theater, where Igmar was commissioned to craft over 100 musical masterpieces.
Collaborating with 50 celebrity special guests, including luminaries like Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Ashanti, and Robert F. Smith, Revive Orchestra has redefined the boundaries of musical excellence. The orchestra has found its artistic home at Newark Symphony Hall in New Jersey and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy in New York, where Igmar now serves as Director of Music, embarking on an exciting, open-ended residency.
Featuring a constellation of musical stars like Concertmaster, Dr. Chelsey Green on violin, Nate Jones on bass, Brent Birckhead on saxophones and woodwinds, Corey Wallace as Brass/Horn Director, and other musical virtuosos, Revive Orchestra promises an unparalleled musical odyssey. The beat goes on with luminaries like Brandee Younger on harp, George Spanky McCurdy on drums, Ben Williams on contrabass, and the late James Casey on tenor sax.
As Revive Orchestra and Revive Big Band continue to paint their musical tapestry, calling Newark Symphony Hall and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy their artistic abodes, the future gleams with promise and unparalleled musical brilliance.
Revive Orchestra Resume (within the span of 18 months)
RAPPERS:
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BUSTA RHYMES
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QUEEN LATIFAH
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RICK ROSS
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SWIZZ BEATZ
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JADAKISS
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STYLES P
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SCARFACE
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BUN B
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TOO SHORT
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M.O.P.
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REMY MA
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RAH DIGGA
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COI LERAY
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SCAR LIP
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SLICK RICK
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BIG DADDY KANE
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SALT & PEPA
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MC LYTE
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EPMD
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ERICK SERMON
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PHAROAHE MONCH
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CAMP LO
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VIN ROCK
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DIGABLE PLANETS
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C.L. SMOOTH
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BABY CHAM
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MACHEL MONTANO
SINGERS:
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ASHANTI
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FAITH EVANS
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LLYOD
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BILAL
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MUNI LONG
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KEM
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HEZEKIAH WALKER
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ISRAEL HOUGHTON
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SHANICE
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LATOYA LUCKETT
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702
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KATHY SLEDGE
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TRACIE SPENCER
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E.U. (Da’ Butt)
DJ’s:
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DJ D-NICE
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DJ CLARK KENT
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SCRATCHATOR
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SAM SNEAK
COMEDIANS:
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CHRIS SPENCER
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KENNY BURNS
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ED LOVER
INSTRUMENTALISTS:
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MIKE PHILLIPS
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FREDERIC YONNET
OTHER:
ROBERT F. SMITH (Businessman, Philanthropist)
VENUES:
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2023 BET AWARDS
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PEACOCK THEATER
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CARNEGIE HALL 4x’s
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KENNEDY CENTER 2x’s
IGMAR
THOMAS
BANDLEADER / ARRANGER / MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Igmar Thomas is a visionary artist, trumpeter, maestro, musical director, composer, and arranger at the forefront of the modern music scene. With a diverse range of roles,
from sideman to Musical Director and Maestro, he has worked with renowned artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Kamasi Washington, Busta Rhymes, D-Nice, Nas, Ms. Lauryn Hill and The Fugees. He proudly serves as an ambassador of black musical culture through his leadership of the acclaimed Revive Big Band, Revive Orchestra, and The Cypher.
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Originally from San Diego, Thomas began playing the trumpet at a young age and earned a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music. His exceptional talent and dedication led him to be mentored by influential musicians such as Lionel Hampton,
Nicholas Payton, and Roy Hargrove. He has performed on prestigious stages worldwide, collaborating with artists including Lil Wayne, John Legend, Queen Latifah, The Weeknd, Common, The Roots, Thundercat, Robert Glasper, Swizz Beatz and more. Thomas' compositions and arrangements have garnered recognition from many institutions such as HBO's Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, the BET Awards just to name a few. Thomas has also been commissioned by Carnegie Hall to compose an original composition for the NYO Orchestra.
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Thomas contributions extend beyond his musical accomplishments, as he has made notable on-screen appearances on MTV, VH1, BBC, Comedy Central with Zach
Galifianakis, Good Morning America, all of the "Late Shows" as well as BETs' Black Girls Rock. His one of a kind musical arrangements have been favored and acquired by esteemed artists and organizations, from Ashanti, Jill Scott, Salt & Pepa,
Terence Blanchard, Hezekiah Walker, Gregory Porter to Purdue University, Brown University, the University of North Texas, Rutgers University and Berklee amongst many others. Thomas continues to leave a profound impact on the international music community, showcasing his boundless creativity, exceptional talent and dedication to his craft.
SAX
BRENT
BIRKHEAD
SAXOPHONE
Saxophonist Brent Birckhead is an award-winning artist whose aesthetic is an intersectional amalgam of traditional and popular styles. Unbound by genre, Birckhead’s approach to woodwind artistry is driven by his compulsion for creative risk and his deep respect for legacy. His place in the continuum of a storied lineage begins with his surname, Birckhead, and extends to his extensive musical education and work ethic as a visionary approach to his life as a rising leader. Educated at Howard University (BME, MM), Birckhead was named best blues/pop/rock soloist and outstanding instrumental jazz soloist by DownBeat Magazine’s SMA. In 2011 Brent was named "Best Alto Saxophonist" by the Washington City Paper. The Baltimore native's talent earned him the honor of performing and touring with legendary artists including Lauryn Hill, Nas, Wale, Eric Benet, Larry Graham, George Duke and many more. In February of 2020 Birckhead released his debut album on Revive Music.
STRINGS
CHELSEY
GREEN
STRINGS
With performances often described as passionate, vivacious, electrifying, and innovative, Billboard-charting international recording artist Chelsey Green brings the vibrancy of violin and viola playing and unique, rich vocals to worldwide audiences in a whole new way.
A native of Houston, Texas, Dr. Chelsey Green was born into a family of jazz and funk musicians and started her performance career as a violinist at age 5. Dr. Green went on to receive a scholarship for classical viola studies at The University of Texas at Austin where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Continuing her studies, she received a Master’s degree from The Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland College Park. In August 2017, Dr. Green was appointed Associate Professor in the String Department at the prestigious Berklee College of Music and served as Acting Chair for the Spring 2021 term.
Dr. Chelsey Green and her ensemble, The Green Project, tear down stereotypes of the violin and viola by fusing traditional classical technique with popular favorites and enticing original songs in various genres– including R&B, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Alternative, Hip Hop, Gospel and more! Chelsey Green and The Green Project have released 5 studio projects independently and performed live shows, jazz festivals, masterclasses and educational workshops across America and in several countries throughout the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Japan and the Caribbean.
Classically soloing in New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall at age 16, Chelsey’s varied performance resume includes performances at the GRAMMY Awards, CBS Late Show, NPR Tiny Desk, Capital Jazz Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Festival, the opening of The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Essence Music Festival, Port-Au-Prince International Jazz Festival, Kuwait National Opera House and many more!
TROMBONE
Corey Wallace
TROMBONE
Baltimore, MD native/trombonist Corey Wallace has gained the respect and admiration of many in his relentless pursuit of all things good music and amazing life experiences. He was selected as the 2012 Best Trombonist by the Washington [D.C.] City Paper for his “technical fluidity and for the heavy dose [of] introspection that sits right on the surface of his playing”; more recently, he was again selected as Best Trombonist in the 2019 NYC Reader Jazz Poll (sponsored by Hot House Magazine/Jazzmobile) in a deep field of legends and luminaries - Wycliffe Gordon, Steve Davis, John Fedchock, and Ryan Keberle - not just for his playing, but for being a staple and anchor on the NYC scene, across generations. He is well versed and feels equally at home in various styles of music and is always eager to contribute with musicians and artists. Extensive study, talent, perspective, and knowledge have afforded him opportunities and ongoing gigs with many legends, powerhouses, and his contemporaries in genres people refer to as jazz, R&B, hip hop, gospel, pop music, and otherwise. As a freelancer and artist, Wallace has made a place for himself and continues to be a vital part of the NYC scene as a leader, collaborator, and member of the community. As a teaching artist, he has taught at the Baltimore School for the Arts, the Harlem School for the Arts, in the New York Public School System, and is a current faculty member in a variety of programs at Jazz at Lincoln Center. He also has a growing number of private students dedicated to studying the trombone and learning from his wide array of life and music experiences. Wallace is currently based out of New York City, NY. He leads the Corey Wallace DUBtet, a group dedicated to creativity and integrity in Black American Music and beyond.
RHYTHM
NATE
JONES
BASS
Known simply as NJOB, Nate Jones On Bass has become the bass-player-in-demand for the most recognized names in the music industry. Sharing the stage with many industry icons who will attest to his strong musical capabilities, his most noteworthy performances include television appearances on BET, Jimmy Kimmel Live, VH1’s Save The Music, and the Billboard Music Awards. Nate has also graced the big screen with his bass in the film Cadillac Records, which featured Beyonce Knowles, Gabrielle Union and Cedric the Entertainer, among other Hollywood talent.
Nate’s love affair with the bass began at a young age. He developed his technique with formal training at the Bloomingdale School of Music in New York, where he played with the jazz band and gospel choir. He pursued his higher education at the distinguished State University of New York at Purchase and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Performance. While his refined talent has merited him gigs all around the globe, Nate’s genius does not stop at the limelight of the stage; he also scores for films and television, produces live shows and albums for a myriad of independent artists, and has served as musical director for various bands ranging from straight ahead jazz to R&B, Soul and hip-hop.
Nate has a vast repertoire and is well-versed in all genres of music. He remains competitive in his trade by constantly reinventing his sound, evolving as a producer and entertainment executive, and expanding the “NJOB” brand into a recognizable enterprise. Nate’s musical dexterity, heart and relentless determination make him an indispensable asset to the music industry, and his passion for creating innovative music always leaves his audience craving the Nate Jones On Bass experience!