Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents BAC Salon: Maris Briežkalns Quintet Rothko in Jazz

Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) continues its Spring 2018 Music Series on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 7:30pm with the New York premiere of Rothko in Jazz, a BAC Salon performance by the M?ris Briežkalns Quintet. Maris Briežkalns Quintet's Rothko in Jazz is inspired by the work of Latvian-born artist Mark Rothko. The project has been hailed by The Washington Post as "a wide-ranging musical homage to Mark Rothko's paintings."

Rothko in Jazz features music by ten renowned Latvian composers who were each commissioned to create a piece evoking the mood of one of Rothko's abstract expressionist works created between 1945 and 1969. The original jazz compositions, arranged and performed by the Quintet, are accompanied by large-scale projections of Rothko's iconic paintings. A recording of the project was released by the Quintet in 2016, and the Quintet previously performedRothko in Jazz at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

The featured composers are Lolita Ritmanis, ?riks Ešenvalds, Rihards Dubra, Art?rs Maskats, P?teris Vasks, J?kabs Jan?evskis, Vilnis Šm?dbergs, J?kabs N?manis, Georgs Pel?cis, and Raimonds Pauls. The M?ris Briežkalns Quintet includes Maris Briezkalns, drums and band leader; Viktors Ritovs, piano; Raimonds Macats, cello and harmonica; Kristaps Lubovs, saxophone; Andris Grunte, double bass; and Ivars Ozols, sound and visual design.

The Maris Briezkalns Quintet, founded in 2004, is one of the leading small acoustic mainstream bands from the Latvian jazz scene. The Quintet has performed on several international stages: MIDEM, Pori Jazz, Rigas Ritmi Festival, Ottawa Jazz, Kaunas Jazz, Jazz at Castle (Prague), Ankara Jazz, Venice Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), Blue Note (New York), and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (New York).

The leader of the Quintet is Maris Briezkalns, a drummer and producer. He heads the Latvian Radio Recording Studios Department. He is the Artistic Director of Latvian Radio Big Band, and serves as Artistic Director of the Rigas Ritmi Festival and International Jazz Artists Contest Riga Jazz Stage.

In 2018, Latvia celebrates 100 years since it became an independent state. With festivities at home and all around the world, Latvia will present its best offerings in culture, lifestyle, and innovation. Rothko in Jazz is one of many events taking place throughout 2018 in honor of Latvia's centennial year. The project is made possible courtesy of funding support by the Ministry of Culture of Latvia.

Leadership support for BAC's music programming is provided by the Anne and Chris Flowers Foundation and the Thompson Family Foundation.

ABOUT BARYSHNIKOV ARTS CENTER (BAC)

BAC is the realization of a long-held vision by artistic director Mikhail Baryshnikov to build an arts center in Manhattan that would serve as a gathering place for artists from all disciplines. BAC's opening in 2005 heralded the launch of this mission, establishing a thriving creative laboratory and performance space for artists from around the world. BAC's activities encompass a robust residency program augmented by a range of professional services, including commissions of new work, as well as the presentation of performances by artists at varying stages of their careers. In tandem with its commitment to supporting artists, BAC is dedicated to building audiences for the arts by presenting contemporary, innovative work at affordable ticket prices. For more information, please visit www.bacnyc.org.

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