This New Orleans-based improvisational jazz group formed in 1978. Led by saxophonist Toni Dagradi, this quintet also includes pianist David Torkanowski, guitarist
Steve Masakowski, bassist
James Singleton, and
John Vidacovich. The group's five pieces can also form different duos, trios, and quartets depending on the needs of the songs
Astral Project performs. Similarly, each member of the group pursues his own solo and side projects but returns to
Astral Project as home base.
Musically,
Astral Project is just as flexible -- the result of improvising together for over two decades. During the early '80s, fellow jazz artist
Bobby McFerrin was a featured part of the group's performances. Throughout their career,
Astral Project has comfortably blended different styles of jazz, rock, world, and classical music into their own fluid sound on three albums: the now out of print Dreams of Love, 1998's
Elevado, and 1999's
Voodoo Bop.
–
Heather Phares, Rovi