|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| Erik Friedlander to Open Firehouse 12's 2007 Fall Jazz Series On Friday, September 21st, New Haven's Firehouse 12 will kick off its third annual Fall Jazz Series with a two-set solo performance by New York cellist/composer Erik Friedlander. Recently called “the premier cellist on the downtown music scene” (Ben Sisario, New York Times), Friedlander will be performing music from his acclaimed new CD, Block Ice & Propane (Skipstone), which features original pieces inspired by American roots music and family road trips during his childhood. The All Music Guide's Jo-Ann Greene describes Block Ice & Propane as ”an Americana at once familiar, yet unlike anything heard before, as the musician coaxes his cello into the aural shape of banjos and finger-picked guitars; a truly astounding set.” Other critics were similarly impressed, calling the August release ”magnificent” (The New Yorker) and “intensely personal, with touches of folk and roots Americana, seamlessly merged with the modern classical and avant-garde strains usually found in Friedlander's music” (Sean Patrick Fitzell, AllAboutJazz.com). Known as “a bandleader to watch” (Bill Bennett, JazzTimes), Friedlander has both redefined the traditional role of his instrument and established himself as a respected composer at the helm of all-star ensembles such as his quartets, Topaz and Chimera. His extensive and eclectic discography includes eight CDs under his own name, as well as sideman work with creative music luminaries such as Dave Douglas, Marty Ehrlich, Ellery Eskelin, Myra Melford, Wadada Leo Smith and John Zorn. He has also appeared on various movie soundtracks and recordings by jazz legend Lee Konitz, performance artist/vocalist Laurie Anderson, folk singer Judy Collins, and pop favorites Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Ricky Martin and Joss Stone. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |