Jazz PRIDE! Eli Maliwan's Saxreligious Quintet

Eli Maliwan, saxophone and FX

Rob Finucane, synth

Vida Sánchez, synth bass 

Gabi Aldaz, piano

JC Grady, drums

In celebration of Pride Month, Bay Area saxophonist and composer Eli Maliwan presents a live quintet version of his astounding solo debut Elysia Marginata, which explores video-game inspired cinematic composition from a “jazz nerd” lens. Maliwan’s Saxreligious Quintet reinterprets the multitracked studio album, where electronic experimental sounds are blended with complex harmony, odd meters, improvisation, and satirical song titles, for a live context that invites improvisation and ensemble interplay. Maliwan is a transgender Asian American whose goal is to be the representation he needed as a younger artist, and he often writes music that examines and celebrates his intersecting identities.

During the pandemic, Maliwan began focusing on composition and music production in Ableton software, and in recent years has been profoundly affected by the avalanche of anti-trans legislation and rising reports of violent anti-Asian sentiment in the US. The music of Elysia Marginata represents rebirth, growth, healing, and joy during a time of uncertainty and pain. It is a self care love letter to other quirky children of the 90’s, the queer and trans community, and the BIPOC community.

A graduate of CalArts, Maliwan has performed with Jimmy Heath, Steve Turre, James Moody, Slide Hampton, and Alphonso Johnson, at prestigious festivals such as Uberjazz in Germany, SFJAZZ, San Jose Jazz Fest, Bric Jazz Festival and Winter Jazzfest in New York, and the Portland Jazz Festival.