Here are some select clippings from the past week showing the variety of hits/mentions identifying musicians and scholars as Eastman School of Music alumni, faculty or students. Note: Some links may have expired.)
Carole’s Kings Are Back by Popular Demand at Downstairs Cabaret Theatre!
(Broadway World 08/08/2018)
Currently in its third year, Grove Place Jazz Project continues weekly at 20 Windsor Street. Downstairs Cabaret, in association with Eastman School of Music jazz students, presents a different ensemble, showcasing talents of Eastman School of Music students and other area jazz artisans each Tuesday evening, 7:00pm-9:00pm. Ticket prices are $10 general admission. Visit www.DownstairsCabaret.com for upcoming featured artists.
Exclusive Podcast: LITTLE KNOWN FACTS with Ilana Levine- Jason Robert Brown
(Broadway World 08/06/2018)
Jason Robert Brown is the ultimate multi-hyphenate – an equally skilled composer, lyricist, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, director and performer – best known for his dazzling scores to several of the most renowned musicals of his generation, including the generation-defining “The Last Five Years”, his debut song cycle “Songs for a New World”, and the seminal “Parade”, for which he won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Score. …
Jason studied composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., with Samuel Adler, Christopher Rouse, and Joseph Schwantner. …
Charles Pillow Large Ensemble “Electric Miles”
(Jazz-Quad 08/10/2018)
Coinciding with the 50 year anniversary of Miles Davis’ 1969 album Bitches Brew, saxophonist, flutist and arranger Charles Pillow celebrates the music of the jazz legend within the 1969-72 period. With the support of his 17-piece ensemble, Pillow draws attention to the music that featured jazz stalwarts such as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Lenny White, Jack DeJohnette, John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Dave Liebman and Dave Holland. Electric Miles centers around compositions from Bitches Brew, Jack Johnson, and In a Silent Way – all skillfully arranged for big band.
…, Pillow studied at Loyola University before pursuing his Masters Degree in Jazz Studies at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, NY. Since moving to NYC in 1987, he has appeared on over 100 recordings with both jazz and pop luminaries such as Frank Sinatra, Mariah Carey, Jay Z, Luther Vandross, Paul Simon, Michael Brecker, Bruce Springsteen, John Scofield, Tom Harrell, Dave Liebman, David Sanborn, to name a few. In addition to an active performing and recording schedule, he is an Assistant Professor of Jazz Saxophone at the Eastman school of Music.
Duo Yumeno: Making music across the Pacific
(The Japan Times 08/11/2018)
Hikaru Tamaki and Yoko Reikano Kimura are a happy couple. Not just in marriage but also as Duo Yumeno, a contemporary classical music duo that aims to tap the potential of combining Western and Japanese instruments. Tamaki is a cellist, while Kimura is a koto and shamisen performer, as well as a classical Japanese singer. They are based in New York, but hold concerts across the U.S., in Japan and in Europe.
… Tamaki decided to leave the country after high school to study music at Eastman School of Music as well as Rice and Northwestern universities, …
Duo 590 dazzles Jakarta music lovers
(Jakarta Post 08/10/2018)
The viola might not be a popular instrument in Indonesia, but a preview in an online newspaper might have been the boost needed to generate public enthusiasm in violist Adam Cordle’s recent concerts in Jakarta.
The article was cleverly titled “The handsome American violist will perform in Jakarta” and most probably it was the mixture of the word “handsome” and the mystery of the viola that attracted the audience.
Cordle, …, is at the moment in Jakarta and has performed with his duo partner who equally impressed the audience, Indonesian pianist Edith Widayani, as Duo 590.
The 590 is a code for courses that Eastman School of Music doctoral students take as part of their curriculum.
Adam and Edith met on one of these courses in their first semester of graduate study. Also, one of the main interstates in Rochester — where Eastman is located — is named 590.
So, the name Duo 590 references both how and where they were founded. This year, both musicians have earned their doctorate degrees in Music from that prestigious institution.
Local mezzo-soprano has exhibit of her still-life paintings
(Chestnut Hill Local 8/8/18)
When local music lovers hear or read the name Suzanne DuPlantis, they immediately think of the resplendent East Falls mezzo-soprano who, along with Chestnut Hill pianist Laura Ward, founded and directs Lyric Fest.
Prior to attending Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, DuPlantis probably painted as much as she sang. When she received a scholarship from Eastman, the direction of her budding career was set along a musical path. But once she retired from a full-time performing career, …
Salisbury’s Alden Wright to give organ concert
(Salisbury Post 08/09/2018)
Alden Wright will present an organ concert for the community. … He is home for the summer from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where he is a rising junior.
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