Nuevo Chamber is a new genre that blends world music influences
with the Musical Art Quintet’s chamber music ensemble,
infusing rhythms from Argentina, Cuba, Africa, Jazz, Classical
and even Electronica into a totally unique style of music.
The Musical Art Quintet was formed in 2008 in the Mission
district of San Francisco during chamber music jam sessions
every Sunday night at Cafe Revolution. Each week a new piece
of music was written by MAQ band leader Sascha Jacobsen
to be performed at Classical Revolution. With ink still
wet, the ensemble would read through the piece in front
of a live audience. As their repertoire grew, a core group
of players emerged and the quintet was founded.
The name of the quintet is taken from The Musical Art
Quartet, a string quartet formed in the 1940's and led by
the Great-Grandfather and namesake of the bassist and composer
of the quintet, violinist, Sascha Jacobsen.
Although classically trained, the members of The Musical
Art Quintet are skilled improvisors and each one brings
with him a special area of expertise. Whether it is Argentine
Tango, Afro-Cuban Son, Klezmer, Classical works, or even
Electronica, the Quintet is at home. The music of band leader,
Sascha Jacobsen, is essentially rhythmic in nature, utilizing
dance forms to propel his melodies forward. Each piece is
based on a dance form, but instead of a Sarabande or a Gigue,
Jacobsen uses rhythms like Cha Cha Cha or Milonga.
Musical Art Quintet: Nuevo Chamber Music
