In the past couple of years, the Piedmont-based Carolina Chocolate Drops have been raising the roof off many a venue in and around the New River Valley. Playing shows in Roanoke, Floyd and Charleston have put the Drops in the NRV’s musical consciousness as one of the hottest, most sought-after musical acts in the region.
Seeing them play live may well become one of the musical experiences of your life. (more…)
Whether you know it or not, you are familiar with the Carter Family. Even as a Yankee not particularly schooled in Appalachian music, I recognized several of the tunes attributed to the First Family of Country Music during the show now touted as Barter’s most requested show.
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and “Wildwood Flower” are just a couple of the signature songs recorded by the Carter Family in the late 1920s and included in the Barter’s reprise production of Keep on the Sunny Side: The Songs and Story of the Original Carter Family. (more…)
Head to Preston Hall April 25 for Radford University’s 2008 Gala Concert featuring the 2007 IBLA International Grand Prize Winners. The 15th edition of the Ibla International Grand Prize was held June 28 through July 8, 2007 in Ragusa Ibla, Italy. The winners of the competition will perform in New York City and throughout the United States, in addition to Radford. The outstanding artists are literally from around the globe, representing Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Japan, and Poland.
One such performer is Hungarian soprano Adrienn Miksch. Her repertoire for the evening will feature a variety of music ranging from bel-canto composer Bellini to Russian master Dmitri Shostakovich. Anna Rutkowska-Schock, a chamber music expert who has performed in her home of Poland as well as abroad, will perform solo works as well as accompany violinist Esther Muradov (USA) in a variety of pieces from the Baroque and Classical periods. Anticipation is high for a performance by Japanese/American Elena Kawazu, a violin virtuoso who won the unanimous vote of the International Jury last year. (By the way…she is 9 years old!)
A solo piano performance by Italian pianist Alessio Quaresima is also scheduled, showcasing an impressive arrangement of Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.” Additionally, the 2007 Bartok-Kabalevsky-Prokofiev Winner Martinia Filjak will perform. The Croatian pianist is said to be a standout performer, even among the previous winners of the prestigious competition. Closing the evening will be pianist and IBLA Grand Prize Music Director Salvatore Moltisanti, continuing the centennial celebration with a work by Oliver Messiaen.
This free concert requires tickets, available in advance by calling the Department of Music office at 540.831.5177. The event starts at 8 p.m. in the Ken Bondurant Auditorium, Preston Hall, Radford University.
C.R. Kasprzyk regrets that he will have to miss this great performance because he will be performing in California April 26, 29, and 30. Visit www.crkasprzyk.com for details.
This weekend, the best of the best are in town for the Seventh Annual International Guitar Festival (sponsored by Radford University). Known to host a diverse selection of performers, this year is especially international, boasting four amazing artists from abroad in a series of concerts and masterclasses. A large audience is anticipated for these free events, so April 3 through 6, the place to be is Radford. (more…)
| March 21, 2008 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
The Fonda/Stevens Group performs March 21 in Blacksburg as part of its mostly East Coast tour. The jazz group, consisting of Herb Robertson (trumpet), Harvey Sorgen (drums), Joe Fonda (bass), and Michael Jefry Stevens (piano), touts 10 CD releases, more than 20 tours in Europe, and 15 years performing together. Their next closest performance is in Charlottesville (March 23) so the Blacksburg show is a must see!
The swingin’ 1930s have come and gone and like many other genres, jazz has developed with the times as an evolving, valuable art form. “Arguably one of the finest working units in modern jazz …” (Jazz critic Glenn Astarita), the group seamlessly incorporates elements of free jazz and post-bop. “Post-bop” typically refers to jazz from the mid-1960s onward. The late John Coltrane as well as Herbie Hancock’s music exemplifies the birth of such sound and expansion has certainly ensued since then.
Free jazz (see also Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, etc.) takes things a step further and is evident as influence in the group’s playing. (Fonda was the “bassist of choice” with the prolific, free jazz saxophonist Anthony Braxton). In most cases, these periods of jazz came about in search of freedom, progression, and experimentation. Musicians felt restricted by specific chord progressions, precise rhythms, etc. This thinking outside the box came to bring about an incredibly intelligent line of musical communication.
The Fonda/Stevens Group takes this rich history of jazz into consideration and brings their personal voice to the table. The result is a situation where listeners swear each note is on a page, predetermined and carefully calculated. The reality is implausible communication; improvisation from an on-the-spot group of composers.
Pianist and co-leader Stevens has composed more than 250 works, served as an educator in the states and abroad, and boasts many recordings with the Fonda/Stevens Quartet and others. Fellow leader Fonda has also performed and recorded internationally. His ability to fly up and down the entire neck of the instrument thwarts assumptions of what the bass is capable of.
The two are joined by the talented and versatile drummer Sorgen, who has performed with an eclectic mix of notable artists, including Anthony Braxton, Bruce Hornsby, Los Lobos, Brill Frisell, and many others. Out front is Robertson on trumpet, an equally international performer. His innate ability to find zillions of color possibilities within his instrument is well-suited to the Fonda/Stevens Group.
Four virtuosic musicians, powerful interaction, and a world of open possibilities highlight this unique evening of jazz. Don’t miss this rare event in Squires Recital Salon (Virginia Tech Campus) on Friday, March 21, 8 p.m. Details at joefonda.digitalspace.net/fsg.html or www.music.vt.edu.
C.R. Kasprzyk is a classically trained musician and composer, amateur photographer, and all-around good guy who finds zillions of color possibilities in all aspects of his life.
As was mentioned here and in the print version of the Voice, we did make it down to Charlotte last week to see The Greencards and The Everybodyfields in concert. It was a great show.
