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Melody of China and Asian Improv aRts

Administrator — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:11:15 +0000

Looking forward to the up-coming concert on November 5th at Old First Church in San Francisco. The concert features the world premiere of Francis Wong’s new piece, “Shanghai Stories”, which combines Chinese traditional instruments such as erhu, pipa, sheng, yangqin, suona and guzheng with jazz saxophone, trombone, upright bass and drums. Melody of China will be joined by Francis Wong, Wayne Wallace, Tatsu Aoki and Deszon Claiborne.

I can’t imagine a more intriguing combination of instruments and styles. The new piece by Francis Wong is inspired by memories of his father growing up in Shanghai during the 1920’s and 30’s where jazz intermingled with Chinese music. What’s really special about this concert is that there is such a compelling story behind the music that the whole scenario makes so much sense. The piece is still experimental, given that it is a new music composition with such an unheard-of combination of instruments, however, at the same time, it’s also a direct link to the past — this very real past that was experienced by the composer’s father. So, in that sense, the piece is biographical and — historical.

This exciting blend of musical cultures makes me contemplate the state of chamber music in our culture. Right now, with the economy still anemic, ticket sales and audience turnout are way down. At the same time, you have a lot of interesting things happening in chamber music. I just saw Weber Iago play a new piece for jazz rhythm section and string quartet. And, of course, the Other Minds Festival of new music every year is constantly pushing the envelope (although I wish they’d do more with instruments from other cultures). And, we all know, the bay area is a hub for experimentation and trying new things just for the sake of trying them. This is all to say that chamber music is evolving (thank goodness!) and that we have yet to see the new incarnation of the typical chamber music ensemble (or, perhaps the very idea of a typical ensemble has disintegrated).

At any rate, new instruments (Chinese, for example), new styles (jazz is already becoming a mainstay), and new ways of presenting ensembles is giving chamber music a healthy growth spurt. So, let’s check out the latest and help move things along… see you on November 5th at Old Fist Church! Purchase tickets HERE

November 5th 8pm Old First Church, San Francisco

Inspiring Quote from the Tao Te Ching

Administrator — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:18:41 +0000

Here’s a quote that I think is a good one for artists to remember:

http://emtones.com/LaoTzuQuote.html

Alameda Antiques Fair today–got some vinyl

Administrator — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:36:59 +0000

My wife and i went to the Alameda Antiques fair today at the old naval base here in Alameda. It happens once a month, first Sunday. We didn’t find anything really great but I did get 4 Lps: Flamenco (guitar and voice), Ahmad Jamal (jazz piano), Haydn ‘cello concertos (just didn’t have them), and Chinese Taoist music (needless to say, this one sparked my interest). I’m only auditioned two of them so far. Actually, only one side of the Chinese Taoist, and both sides of the Flamenco. I would have listened to the rest of the Chinese Taoist, but my cats were not into the clanging cymbals and whiney singing. They did like the Flamenco music a lot, though. Me? I liked both–there’s very little I don’t like in music. With me, the question is more, was is boring or not? It’s just that i don’t dislike anything, per se, I just get really really bored with a lot of the stuff that’s on the radio. I don’t want to say “pop” because there’s some really really good pop songs out there and some really good pop bands (some…). So, take a song, any song in the top 40, it’s on the radio, gets overplayed and wasn’t that great, and the production on it is so standard, same old instrumentation, same old chord changes, same old chord inversions, same old bridge, same old beat, and it’s not any one of these things that bores me, or even the fact that they’re always the same, but just that they keep coming back and keep getting overplayed. The playlist with some of these radio stations really is small–I’m sure it must have to do with the licensing fees vs. advertising dollars coming in. I guess it just bothers me because there’s so much good stuff out there–our culture is full of it–actually, it’s overflowing with it. I mean, take Motown: OK, you have like 5 or 6 artists that get their old hits played on the oldies station and that’s great stuff–but then there might be 25 other Motown artists that may never get played because there not on the playlist for some reason (don’t ask me who they are…). My point is just that we’re severely short-changing ourselves when it comes to musical exposure. i think part of the problem may have to do with advertising dollars. then there’s public radio, Ok, some very interesting things. I just think the commercial radio stations would do well to explore more obscure songs–they could even be the same artist they already play but something that isn’t heard every 30 minutes. Our musical culture is so incredibly rich…and with digital uploads and downloads all the more accessible. why limit our ears? yes, satellite is Ok, but even there i’ve found shocking limits in what a given station will play. There’s so much more good stuff out there and our media outlets should reflect that.

New Blog for Eric

Administrator — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:51:44 +0000

Hello out there! I’ve set up a new blog through my website. I’ll try to get into the habit of blogging more regularly (at least once a week). I’ll try to review a show or concert once in a while–or talk about trends in new music, the evolution of chamber music, performing arts in general, etc. Also, I’ll get into music itself, maybe a little of everything from time signatures to wild philosophical musings. Please stay tuned…

Here’s an old mountain tune i recorded last xmas: CumberlandGap1