100 Miles at Monkfish

"Miles at 100, Greg at 80" The Greg Hopkins Nonet AKA: The Cryogenic Renaissance Orchestra Plays The Mad Monkfish in Cambridge Thursday, October 29th, 2026 -- 7:00PM This 9 Piece Jazz Ensemble is homage to three brilliant jazz nonets from the past and this current unit. With a repertoire that includes several original arrangements from the influential “Birth of the Cool” recordings, this band might appear to be a mere recreation of the Davis nonet, yet that legendary unit of the late ‘40s is only one of the models that have inspired this new unit. Also identified are two Blue Note albums from the late ‘60s, McCoy Tyner’s “Tender Moments” and Herbie Hancock’s “The Prisoner,” as specific inspirations. With that historic nod in mind, jazz composer and arranger Greg Hopkins has created yet another body of new works for the same instrumentation in his own unique and original voice. The group will perform some of the original “Birth of the Cool” music and some McCoy Tyner and lots of Hopkins’ originals at their upcoming performance at the The Mad Monkfish in Cambridge -- Thursday, October 29th, 2026 -- 7:00PM. The tight knit 9-piece unit boasts some of the best jazz talent anywhere. Hopkins, long time Professor of Jazz Composition at Berklee College, was soloist/arranger for the Buddy Rich Band 1972-1974, before settling in this area. ***Alongside Hopkins, other luminaries in the group are: pianist Tim Ray, drummer Mark Walker, bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa, trombonist Pete Fanelli, French hornist Ken Pope, tubist Greg Fritze, and saxophonists Shannon LeClaire and Ben Whiting. (*** The personnel is not confirmed yet!!) Bob Blumenthal from the Boston Globe writes: “Greg Hopkins, the inspired trumpeter/composer is one of Boston’s unappreciated jazz treasures.” More about the nonet: This innovative ensemble, which sometimes goes by the name “the Cryogenic Renaissance Orchestra”, is inspired mostly by the famous Miles Davis birth of the cool band. The repertoire features a few of the original gems, including “Moondreams”, “Israel”, and “Boplicity” from the 1949-1950 sessions. In addition, many new compositions by Greg Hopkins, inspired by, but not necessarily in the style of the original Miles group will be performed. One of the pieces written especially for this ensemble is “The Lost Bagatelles of the Mushroom Empire” by Greg Hopkins. The extended composition explores the textural and technical parameters of the ensemble. The seven-part theme and variations develops into one of the most ambitious forays in this genre. Other titles include “Mystic Valley”, “Okavongo”, Duke Ellington’s “Such Sweet Thunder”, and McCoy Tyner’s “Mode for John”. On the name of the band: The Cryogenic, to freeze for future reference, Renaissance, or rebirth of, Orchestra, so this is “a new rebirth of the coolest”, is here to celebrate these great nonets from the 1950’s and 60’s and much more.