Terry Riley 90th Birthday Celebration
A celebration of minimalist legend Terry Riley's 90th birthday year, featuring the category-defying Bang on a Can All-Stars performing two of his most iconic works: "In C" (called "musical democracy at its highest level" by the Library of Congress) and "A Rainbow in Curved Air" in a new transcription by Terry's son Gyan Riley.
The Bang on a Can All-Stars — Lizzie Burns (bass), Vicky Chow (piano), David Cossin (percussion), Arlen Hlusko (cello), Taylor Levine (guitar), and Ken Thomson (clarinet and bass clarinet) — are recognized worldwide for their ultra-dynamic live performances that freely cross boundaries between classical, jazz, rock, world, and experimental music. Their amplified six-member ensemble has shattered conventional definitions of concert music, creating what critics call "a genre in their own right."
Joining them are special guests who share deep connections to Terry Riley's musical world. Hank Dutt, longtime violist of the Kronos Quartet, brings 47 years of experience with the ensemble that has collaborated with Riley since 1978, premiering over 27 commissioned works including the Grammy-nominated "Salome Dances for Peace." Saxophonist George Brooks has toured with Riley for three decades as a duo and in various ensembles, bridging jazz and Indian classical traditions in the spirit of their shared teacher, vocalist Pandit Pran Nath.
Vocalist Molly Holm, another student of Pandit Pran Nath and founding member of Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra, brings her unconventional blend of jazz and North Indian Raga. Electronic percussionist Joel Davel contributes his pioneering work with the Marimba Lumina and Buchla controllers, while Brooklyn-based Sameer Gupta — co-founder of Brooklyn Raga Massive — adds his unique fusion of bebop, avant-garde jazz, and North Indian tabla.
Terry Riley's hypnotic, multi-layered compositions helped establish musical minimalism in the 1960s, with "In C" pioneering a form based on structured interlocking repetitive patterns. His influence spans from classical institutions to rock bands like The Who, whose "Baba O'Riley" was named after the composer. While Riley now resides full-time in Japan and won't be performing, this gathering of artists who have deeply absorbed his musical philosophy promises an immersive celebration of one of the 20th century's most influential composers.
