Busy, busy, busy
Okay, first let’s play a bit of catch up. I have to keep reminding myself that this happened just over 2 weeks ago since it already seems like last year, but I did in fact play a recital in Baltimore at An die Musik LIVE!, a cool little performance space upstairs from the best classical music record store in the city. We were fortunate to be graced by the presence of three of the composers featured on the program—Alexandra Gardner, whose piece Tourmaline has easily become one of my favorites, Michael Dupstrom, whose piano playing prowess rivals his considerable compositional talent, and Erik Spangler appearing as his ultra-hip alter-ego DJ Dubble8, the dedicated turntablist of Hybrid Groove Project. I was also aided by the rock solid, yet sensitive, percussion playing of Phil Kiamie and three virtuoso crystal glass players on David T. Little’s descanso (after omega), another one of my all-time favs. Many thanks to everyone who came out the show and subsequent “unnofficial” CD release party, especially to those who travelled from far and wide just to be there.
I was able to get a little R & R in after the show and immediately fled to NYC, where I finally got to meet Jerry Bowles, the patriarch of Sequenza21 and the reason I write online today, live and in person. We had a splendid lunch at Ralph’s and Jerry shared many stories about the good ‘ol days. NYC-ness continued the following weekend in the form of a performance at the Look & Listen Festival, where I once again trotted out Alex’s wonderful work Tourmaline. And although the event’s come and gone, you can still read the really nice preview from Time Out NY.
Just last weekend I was up in Boston performing music of the microtonal variety as Non-Zero teamed up once again with the ensemble NotaRiotus to perform Hillary Zipper’s the time of insects at the Boston Microtonal Society’s spring concert.
This weekend will be spent practicing feverishly in anticipation of a week-long sojourn to Rome which will culminate with a performance of music by Rome Prize winners Ken Ueno and Andrew Norman at the American Academy. whatWALL? comes out of hiding for its Rome-debut, Non-Zero conjures Rasheid Ali and John Coltrane in WATT and Andrew Norman joins me on piano for a reading of his work The Garden of Follies. With all this music to have under my fingers I’m having trouble appreciating the fact that I’m going to Italy, but luckily I’m traveling with a companion who will no doubt remind me to relax, look around, and enjoy my surroundings.
