Chamber Ensemble Features Matthew Welch, 12/8

By: Nov. 17, 2010
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In the infectiously ecstatic fervor of Blarvuster's music, Scottish bagpipes, Balinese gamelan, minimalism, improvisation and rock converge in a labyrinthine, multi-textural sound. Blarvuster will be performing the Mosaic of Iridescence (2010) at a CD Release Party and free Concert to be held at Zebulon, 258 Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn, NY on  December 8th, 2010 at 8pm. Also on the bill will be Ches Smith (www.myspace.com/chessmith) and the David Crowell Ensemble (www.myspace.com/davecrowell). For more information, call 718 218 6934 or visit www.zebuloncafeconcert.com.


Led by Matthew Welch, Blarvuster (www.blarvuster.com) has been a mainstay at New York venues including John Zorn's The Stone, Issue Project Room, Zebulon, and The Cornelia Street Cafe and has delivered commanding commissioned performances at The Kitchen, MOMA's PS1, Roulette, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (EMPAC), and The Western Front (Vancouver). Blarvuster, whose self-titled debut CD was released on John Zorn's Tzadik label (11/2010), presents a completely unique form of music played with extreme virtuosity and sensitivity by a stellar line-up of some of the brightest young musicians in New York.


Matthew Welch is an exciting young composer, saxophonist and virtuoso piper who has discovered the hidden nexus of the Celtic and Balinese musical traditions. Matt's second CD for Tzadik presents two exciting new projects: a beautifully orchestrated opera expanding on the language of minimalism with honesty and originality, and his dynamic touring band Blarvuster, which blends the complex skirls and rhythmic subtleties of the Highland pipes with a vibrant rock sensibility. Featuring the best out of yet another new generation of downtown musicians, this is lush and exotic new music from a fresh new compositional explorer.


Hailed by Time Out New York as "a composer possessed of both rich imagination and the skill to bring his fancies to life," Matthew Welch has worked with Anthony Braxton, Alvin Lucier, Ikue Mori, Zeena Parkins, Julia Wolfe and John Zorn and has also recorded for the Mode, and Cantaloupe labels to name a few. Welch's previous Tzadik release, Dream Tigers (2005) made both of Time Out New York's top 10 Classical and non-classical album lists for 2005, adding to the eager anticipation of this year's release.


Band members include: Leah Paul (flutes), who has worked with TV on the Radio, The Dirty Projectors, and Anthony Braxton and leads her own pop-band The Bridesmaids. Karen Waltuch (viola) has worked with Wilco, Beth Orton, The Walkmen, Jim O'Rourke, Tammy Wynette, and The Roulette Sisters. Mary Halvorson (guitar) is a veteran of the Anthony Braxton Trio and Anthony Braxton 12tet, and the leader of The Mary Halvorson Trio and Quintet. Ian Riggs (bass) has worked with Howard Fishman, Ethan Lipton, One Ring Zero, Hilary Hawke, Likeness to Lily, and The Lonesome Trio. Tomas Fujiwara (drums) leads his quintet Tomas Fujiwara & The Hook Up, and works in a duo with Taylor Ho Bynum and the collective quartet The Thirteenth Assembly.


Photo by Michael Weintrob.



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