Atlanta Contextual Music Ensemble (A.C.M.E.) founded in 2005 by Roger Ruzow (Trumpet)Jeff Crompton (Reeds), Bryan Fielden (percussion), and Ben Gettys(Bass). The ensemble is a collaboration of new composed (Jazz influenced) music and improvisational communication. Idiomatic and Non-idiomatic improvisation. New Music Nu-Composition !!!!!
- Teacher/Performer/Composer Roger Ruzow lives in Atlanta, Georgia. A founding member of the free jazz ensemble, Gold Sparkle Band he first began playing the trumpet at age 8. In addition to tenure in Gold Sparkle Band, he composes, teaches music and performs trumpet in Atlanta and the continental U.S.. Born in Miami, Fla., Ruzow left the bent sunshine state when he was 18 to pursue a degree in music production at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.. After completion of his degree, Ruzow moved to Atlanta in 1993 where he Charles Waters, Andrew Barker, Andrew Burnes and Rob Mallard founded Gold Sparkle Band. Ruzow is also the founder of the southern musical groups Ensemble Elastique, and Nu South Subterraneans, as well as a founding member of the Atlanta Contextual Music Ensemble (A.C.M.E.). Living in Atlanta Ruzow has concentrated on composing, re-discovering the trumpet, and teaching music and performing. In 2000 A.D. R.R. began teaching elementary school general music in Metro Atlanta, a fantastic career where improvisation is a necessity. Roger Ruzow has had the good fortune to collaborate and perform with many fantastic artists! Roger Ruzow performed or shared the stage with: Tyrone Hill, Roy Campbell Jr., William Parker, Andrew Barker, Charles Waters, Sirone, Dave Gordon,Shaking Ray Levis, Jeff Crompton, Jeremy Willms, Antibalas, Kina Boto, Ken Vandermark, Kent Kessler, Robbie Hunsinger, Kelly Hogan, The Immigrant Suns, Randy Pelosi, The NOLA Klezmer All Stars, Daniel Carter, Matt Levlle, Toshi Makihara, Julian Sparacino, Kim LeMonde, Samuari Celestial, and many others?
-Bryan Fielden
Bryan Fielden began playing drums late in high school just outside of Atlanta GA. Beginning with more of a punk and indy rock style, playing with several local bands, he found himself somewhat unsatisfied and started attending the Clayton College and State University Jazz and Big Band program. There, he honed in on what would soon prove to be his life's passion. After years of playing straight ahead gigs and working in local jazz and art venues, his style began to drift once again, but this time more subtle. Improvisation and the Avant Garde. It wasn't until joining the long standing trio, San Agustin, a band consisting of 2 guitars and drums, that he found his voice. All the while playing in a number of improvised collaborations along the sides of Daniel Carter, Sabir Mateen, Thurston Moore, Arthur Doyle, Kebbi Williams, Kinah Boto, Gold Sparkle Band, Public Buildings, and Konx w/ Robert Cheatham to name a few.
Eventually a foray into writing music for film presented itself... a lengthy all percussion piece for a film entitled " Golden Egg". This, the first of hopefully many, in addition to future groupings, such as The ACME Ensemble will help Fielden to evolve more and more.
-Jeff Crompton is an Atlanta native. He teaches music in the Fulton County school system and has been playing music in the city since the 1980s. Jeff was a member of the semi-legendary free jazz trio the Bazooka Ants, has led his own band, and has played and recorded with pianist/composer Michael J. Smith. In addition to his work with the Nu South Subterraneans, he plays with the straight-ahead jazz band Standard Deviation, the Chilly Willy Blues Band, and the unclassifiable duo Robocromp.
Ben Gettys- Born in Dallas, TX in 1948, Ben started playing electric bass during high school in St. Louis, MO. He played in several R&B bands until moving to Atlanta, GA in 1967. During the late 60s and early 70s, Ben played everything from power trio rock and roll to country and western. Taking up the upright bass in the early 80s and moving to the jazz realm, he played with the big band, The Modernairs, for 10 years and the avant-garde trio, the Bazooka Ants, with Jeff Crompton. In the mid-90s, Ben started playing in blues bands, most notably with Sean Costello, Bill Sheffield, Delta Moon, Eddie Tigner, and The Chilly Willy Band. Ben met Scott and Janna in the mid 80s and has been in Standard Deviation almost 20 years.
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