Orfea Rising — World Premiere, Montavilla Jazz Festival, September 5, 2026
A jazz myth suite of songs, poetry, improvisation, chamber textures & dance.
Photo: Norm Eder
ORFEA RISING: A JAZZ MYTH SUITE
Orfea Rising is a five-movement journey made of original songs, poetry, improvisation, chamber jazz and dance — a descent for love and a return with something unexpected: a voice of one’s own.
The songs and poems arrived first. Only later did I recognize the ancient story they were telling.
What if Orpheus were a woman? What if she didn’t look back?The Myth We Know
In ancient Greek lore, the legendary musician Orpheus descends into the Underworld to rescue his lost love, only to look back at the last moment and lose her forever to the shadows.
THE MYTH WE KNOW
Long, long ago, Orpheus — the legendary musician — loses his beloved Eurydice. Grief-stricken, he follows her into the Underworld. His music bends the rules of fate, and even Hades agrees to let Eurydice return — on one condition:
Don’t look back.
Orpheus walks toward the light, listening for her footsteps. At the very last moment, he looks back.
He loses her. Again. Forever.
THE MYTH RE-TOLD
Orfea Rising enters the myth from another path:
What if Orpheus were a woman? What if she didn’t look back?
Orfea descends in love — through longing, memory, loss and the deep places where we can so easily lose our own voices.
But she does not return carrying what she went down to find.
She rises in song.
Maybe that’s how stories happen: we live them first. We make them into stories when we look back.
Myths are the ancient stories we keep finding ourselves inside.
THE EXPERIENCE
Orfea Rising unfolds in five movements — The Call, The Fall, The Descent, The Ascent and The Chorus — weaving songs, poems, instrumental composition, improvisation and dance into one continuous mythic journey.
Moving between chamber jazz, soul, spoken word and acoustic textures, the pieces are lived from inside Orfea rather than narrated from outside her. The music carries us down, through, and back toward the light.
She descends in love. She rises in song. She sings us home.
Orfea Rising unfolds as an immersive performance shaped by vibraphone, cello, bass, drums, saxophone, and voice, with movement and improvisation woven throughout.
Both intimate and expansive, the work reflects Rudolph’s longstanding commitment to crossing artistic disciplines while remaining rooted in jazz expression, storytelling, and emotional depth.
THE ENSEMBLE
Shelly Rudolph — Composer & Vocals
Soul-jazz vocalist, songwriter, and poet whose acclaimed releases—including The Way We Love feat. David Darling—blend deep-feeling lyricism, chamber soul, and a voice described as “equal parts sugar and whiskey” (All About Jazz).
Tim Gilson — Musical Director & Cello
Sought-after conductor, arranger, and first-call Pacific Northwest bassist brings his signature groove, deep sensitivity, and improvisational mastery to a rare lead role on the cello.
Devin Phillips — Tenor & Soprano Saxophones
New Orleans-born saxophonist celebrated internationally for his intricate, rhythmically innovative sounds.
Chris Lee — Vibraphone
Master jazz composer, percussionist, and vibraphonist with decades of trailblazing work in chamber jazz.
Andrew Jones — Acoustic & Electric Bass
Versatile bassist, composer, and improviser whose wide-ranging work spans jazz, experimental music, art-pop, and international touring, including with acclaimed composer-songwriter Julia Holter.
Rivkah Ross — Drums & Vocal Harmonies
Acclaimed drummer and composer praised for her "refined sense of swing and agile snare work" (All About Jazz).
Alicia Anthony — Co-Choreography & Aerial Dance
Choreographer, dancer, and former Co-Artistic Director with A-WOL Dance Collective, known for creating evocative, narrative-driven work in the air and on the ground.
Tia Palomino — Co-Choreography & Aerial Dance
Veteran acrobat, dancer, and aerial artist whose credits include Do Jump! Extremely Physical Theatre and SubRosa Dance Collective.