DNA Orchestra is indeed an orchestra, Andrew D'Angelo's volcanic energy as a saxophone player is present, but the music of DNA Orchestra is about a lot more than raucousness. The unabashed nature of the music represents D'Angelo's renewed sense of purpose, thanks to his recent brush with death. In 2008, he had a seizure while driving. Doctors found the cause to be a tennis-ball-sized brain tumor. D'Angelo puts it this way, "After having two brain surgeries, I embarked on a new existence: one of healing."

The DNA Orchestra isn't merely a musical outlet for a performer who dealt with severe illness. The ensemble, and the music itself, is integrally linked to the entire medical event. It is a response to D'Angelo's cancer, and it ultimately played a role in cancer's annihilation.

The band is a community that supported D'Angelo while he healed. The weaving, angular lines of the music are as tenacious as the tendrils of the disease itself. The elusion of emotion carries weight and energy as integral as any cure. "After understanding why cancer had come into my life, I learned how to use my art and music as healing."

The power of this music may be brute, but it is extremely... more

credits

released June 30, 2020

Andrew D’Angelo – Compositions, Arrangements, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Voice, Director

Bill McHenry – Tenor Saxophone
Jeremy Udden – Alto Saxophone
Joshua Sinton – Baritone Saxophone

Ryan Snow – Trombone
Bryan Drye – Trombone
Josh Roseman – Trombone

John Carlson – Trumpet
Jacob Wick – Trumpet
Kirk Knuffke – Cornet

Nicole Federici – Viola

Trevor Dunn – Bass
Dan Weiss – Drums
Sasha Brown – Guitar

Eric Biondo – Beat Box

Photography and cover design by Johannes Berg – Norway
Mastering by Peter Karl Studios – Brooklyn
Human Use Records