Pianist Jerry Kuderna plays from classics to the newest compositions.
12 noon to 1:30pm, 2133 University Ave.
Terry Riley is rightfully regarded as the "godfather of minimalism", but his broad spectrum of musical output far exceeds even that important accolade. As a pianist, Terry's facility spans the history of the keyboard - often in just one improvised performance - drawing inspiration from north Indian raga, Bach, Fats Waller and the avant-garde movement of the 1960s. As a composer, Terry has established an extensive catalogue of works for solo piano, orchestra, choir and some of this century's most important string quartets, many of which were commissioned by Kronos Quartet.
In tonight's program Terry's long time collaborator, George Brooks, pays tribute to Riley's legacy with a series of original compositions drawing on many of the same influences. Brooks will be joined by the outstanding south Indian violinist/vocalist Ganesh Rajagopalan and virtuoso pianist, Osam Ezzeldin.
George Brooks
Hailed as the "leading American voice in Indian jazz fusion", saxophonist and composer George Brooks has performed with such notable musicians as John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Larry Coryell, Etta James, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Kronos Quartet, and Anthony Braxton. He is a founder of seminal Indian fusion groups Summit with Zakir Hussain; Bombay Jazz with Ronu Majumdar and Larry Coryell; the Raga Bop Trio with Steve Smith and Prasanna; and Elements with Gwyneth Wentink and Kala Ramnath.
George's history with Terry Riley dates back to the early 80s when the two met in New Delhi while studying with master Kirana vocalist Pandit Pran Nath. Over the past three decades Riley and Brooks have performed concerts throughout Europe, Asia and the US, often joined by sitarist Krishna Bhatt. Brooks was a founding member of Riley's Khayal Ensemble and a featured soloist for the Brooklyn Philharmonic's premiere of Riley's June Buddha's. Brooks and Riley toured Europe and the UK in 2010 with tabla and electronics pioneer Talvin Singh. Brooks recently joined Kronos Quartet for Riley's 80th birthday tribute concert.
Brooks has received commissions and grants from the American Composers Forum, Arts International, MetLife Creative Connections and the S.F. Museum of Modern Art. His compositions have appeared in films by Merchant/IvoryProductions and have been performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Mark Morris Dance Company and the Liverpool Philharmonic.
Osam Ezzeldin
Pianist, composer Osam Ezzeldin was born in Cairo, Egypt and exposed at an early age to the varied musical traditions of Africa, India and the Arabic world. At age18, Osam heard his first jazz tune, a life changing moment that launched Osam on his self-guided jazz journey. It wasn't long before he began performing with the leading jazz musicians of North Africa. At the age of 21, after receiving his bachelor's degree in computer science, Osam moved to the US and soon became a mainstay of the Dallas (TX) jazz and R + B circuit. Eight years later Osam received a full merit scholarship to the Berklee Collage Of Music where he studied with Hal Crook and Ray Santisi.
Osam's powerful virtuosity and rhythmic sophistication has led to collaborations with some of the world's leading percussionists including visionary tabla player Zakir Hussain, conga maestro Giovanni Hidalgo and legendary fusion drummers Billy Cobham and Dave Weckl.
Osam has composed works for Vietnamese multi-instrumentalist Van Ahn Vo and Uzbek drumming phenomenon Abbos Kosimov and collaborated with Indian artists Ganesh Rajagopalan, Kala Ramnath and Niladri Kumar. Osam performs with George Brooks in Aspada, a group they co-lead with S. Indian percussionist V. Selvaganesh and bass virtuoso Kai Eckhardt.
Ganesh Rajagopalan
Ganesh Rajagopalan is an Indian classical musician whose extraordinary abilities as a violinist, composer and vocalist have garnered him world-wide recognition. A child prodigy, Ganesh studied with Guru Sri T S Rajagopalan, and began peforming at the age of seven as part of a remarkable violin duet with his brother, Kumaresh. Ganesh rose to stardom in the rigorous world of south Indian (Carnatic) music, receiving awards and accolades from All India Radio and the Government of India, as well as the coveted Illayaraja prize from Trinity College of Music and a Life Time Achievement Award from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai.
His musical perception and extraordinary command over the violin has brought Ganesh to the attention of international audiences in illustrious venues such as Theater de La Ville, Paris; Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal Festival Hall, London; Carnegie Hall and Symphony Space, NY; Zellerbach Hall, and Walt Disney Center in California.
As comfortable in global explorations as he is in the classical realm, Ganesh has collaborated with Zakir Hussain's "Masters of Percussion" and "Celtic Connections", guitar visionary John McLaughlin and saxophonist George Brooks. He is also a featured soloist in scores by Oscar winner composer A. R. Rahman.
Ganesh's own compositions, ranging from traditional concert repertoire, to dance, theatre, and film, have won awards and appreciation from connoisseurs and laymen alike.
George Brooks on saxophones with
Indian violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan and Egyptian pianist Osam Ezzeldin.
8pm to 10pm, 2133 University Ave.
$21 adv / $23 door. 644-2020. www.thefreight.org
8pm, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA, United States