This Thursday, April 7th, The Jazz Gallery welcomes the Christopher Zuar Orchestra to our stage to celebrate the release of their debut album, Musings (Sunnyside). Mr. Zuar has presented his compositions at the Gallery previously as part of our regular Jazz Composers' Showcase, but this is the first time that he will be leading a group of his own here.Zuar hails from Long Island and has studied at New England Conservatory and the Manhattan School of Music, and was a participant in the prestigious BMI Composers' Workshop. His work is firmly rooted in the lineage of large ensemble composers like Bob Brookmeyer, Thad Jones, and Jim McNeely (one of Zuar's mentors), while stretching out in surprising and highly personal directions. Check out some of Zuar's compositions from Musings below before hearing them live at the Gallery this Thursday. The Christopher Zuar Orchestra celebrates the release of Musings at The Jazz Gallery this Thursday, April 7th, 2016. The group features Charles Pillow, Ben Kono, Jason Rigby, Adam Kolker, and Jay Rattman on woodwinds; James De La Garza, Jon Owens, Dave Smith, and Matt Holman on trumpets; Tim Sessions, Matt McDonald, Alan Ferber, and Max Siegel on trombones; Frank Carlberg on piano; Pete McCann on guitar; John Hebert on bass; Mark Ferber on drums; Rogerio Boccato on percussion; and Jo Lawry on voice. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30 P.M. $15 general admission (FREE for members) for each set. Purchase tickets here.