Rob Mazurek: “The First Kid in Space” (parts 1, 2, and 3)

On November 20, trumpet player and composer Rob Mazurek will release Dimensional Stardust, the new album from his Exploding Star Orchestra, on International Anthem, a label that’s increasingly essential on the world jazz scene. For this new record, the free-jazz veteran has called upon the cream of Chicago’s jazz community: Nicole Mitchell, Jeff Parker, Tomeka Reid, Damon Locks, and Jaimie Branch, among many others. The music videos accompanying the first three excerpts from Dimensional Stardust were directed by artist Mikel Patrick Avery, who staged the intergalactic adventures of his own daughter, the very sweet Olivia Avery-Velez. Fasten your seatbelts!