Sandi O and the Equinox Jazz Ensemble
Sandi O - "Conceived in the Bronx, born in Harlem, lived in Brooklyn", was the founder of the Equinox Jazz Ensemble, organized in 1984. Constantly evolving, it drew it's name from the spirited and spiritual compositions of John Coltrane. At every public appearance, the band performed several songs associated with Coltrane.
Sandi O was the leader of this hard-swinging ensemble. She sang, played flute, wrote arrangements, and composed material specially for the personalities in the band. In her development as both a jazz and classical flutist, Sandi had been a pupil of Hurbert Laws and Harold Jones. Sandi was much a self-taught musician who "wood-shedded" all her life and "paid her dues" in jazz clubs and concert venues throughout the New York City metropolitan area. The Ensemble performed the music of such renowned composers as Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Tad Dameron.They used this music as a launching pad for spirited improvisations that made thier audiences often clap hands and join the party.
Submitted (but not written) by Jan