4-6 PM, 73 See Gallery

March 25, 2018

The March edition of the "&" duos series brings two avant-garde string masters who have chops and credits to spare. But this isn't about cramming in notes. Brandon Ross and Stomu Takeishi create otherworldly soundscapes that are spare, beautiful and haunting. Chamber Music for Improvisers.

Ross and Takeishi's credits speak for themselves: Henry Threadgill, Don Cherry, Cassandra Wilson, Archie Shepp, The Lounge Lizards, Paul Motian, Wynton Marsalis, Oliver Lake, Randy Brecker, Wadada Leo Smith, Bill Laswell, Cuong Vu, Arrested Development, Myra Melford...Not to mention their own groups, including Ross's acclaimed power trio, Harriet Tubman. To this sonic dialogue they bring that exploratory sensibility and the power of dreamlike, unconventional melodies.

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 Of the many CDs I have stockpiled in my basement, there are plenty that I consider to be masterpieces. One of them features both Brandon Ross and Stomu Takeishi, the two musicians who make up the acoustic duo For Living Lovers. But that masterpiece, Where's Your Cup by Henry Threadgill and Make a Move, may not be an adequate springboard for some light listeners wanting to dive into Revealing Essence. With just Ross on acoustic guitars and sometimes banjo and Takeishi on acoustic bass, this is about as subtle as organic sounds can get. (John Garratt - Pop Matters)

4-6 PM, 73 See Gallery

June 25, 2017

The second concert in Seed Artists' monthly duo series brings two string masters to the intimate 73 See Gallery in Montclair, NJ. Vital, forward-looking jazz and creative music on a Sunday afternoon.

STEPHANIE GRIFFIN and HILLIARD GREENE create daring, utterly beautiful music. The sound of WHAT IF.  

GRIFFIN is principal violist of the Princeton Symphony, cofounder of the Momenta Quartet, collaborator with jazz innovators from Butch Morris to Anthony Braxton.  Beyond his own groups, GREENEs many credits include Cecil Taylor, Charles Gayle, Jason Moran, Kenny Barron, Vijay Iyer, the Village Vanguard Orchestra and The Inkspots. He was music director and bassist for the legendary Jimmy Scott. 
 

Stephanie Griffin is an innovative violist with a unique and eclectic musical vision. In addition to principal violist of the Princeton Symphony and a founding member of the Momenta Quartet. She has worked closely with composers Salvatore Sciarrino, Tristan Murail, Tony Prabowo, Kee Yong Chong, Ursula Mamlok, Matthew Greenbaum, and Arthur Kampela. Ms. Griffin performs regularly with the New York contemporary music institution, Continuum, and curates new music for the Immersive Gallery in Brooklyn. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Juilliard School.

Hilliard Greene performed and recorded with Jimmy Scott for 20+ years. Greene was Concert Master for Cecil Taylor's group Phtongos, and house bassist at the legendary Minton's Playhouse. His many credits include work with Rashied Ali, Howard Johnson, Greg Osby, Dave Douglas, Bobby Watson, Jacky Terrasson, Jon Hendricks, Erik Friedlander, Warren Smith, Barry Altschul, Matana Roberts and Leroy Jenkins. He recently formed the In & Out Ensemble, which builds free improvisation from jazz standards, and is co-leader of the classical-crossover ensemble ZigZag Quartet.

2:30 Pm, 73 See Gallery

April 30, 2017

SEED ARTISTS opens our monthly duo series--&--with a gem: JAMES BRANDON LEWIS (tenor sax) and CHAD TAYLOR (percussion). Beyond leading highly acclaimed groups, they’ve performed with everyone from Pharoah Sanders, Marc Ribot and William Parker to Richard Davis, Alphonso Johnson and Jamaladeen Tacuma. Deep-rooted, forward-looking, dynamic.

FREE kids’ music workshop at 2:30, followed by openers RIO (baritone sax) and Montclair High’s own WILLIE OECHSLI (drums). Refreshments served.