Aya Nishina

Concerts for Japan: hosted by John Zorn

Submitted by BML on Sun, 03/20/2011 - 13:33

DOWNTOWN MUSICIANS COME TOGETHER FOR JAPAN

We are all overwhelmed by the tragic devastation that has been happening in Japan and want to do what we can to help. These 5 benefit concerts came about because of people's selfless generosity and open hearts—because of the power of friendship and love. Events of this kind do more than raise money, they bring people together and help us to heal. Please join us.

- John Zorn

My family and friends back in Sendai, along with myself, are deeply touched by the outpouring of generosity and support we have felt from the international community of New York in this difficult time. I am in awe of the power of music, friendship and love, and would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone for dedicating time, creativity and resources to make these concerts possible. Thank you, musicians, especially John Zorn, for your tireless effort in bringing us all together.

- Aya Nishina

For the last two years, Aya Nishina has been an integral part of Brooklyn Music Lessons, teaching Piano, Music Fundamentals, Ear Training and Composition lessons to students of all ages. When I heard of the recent events in Japan and how they had affected Aya's friends and family in Sendai, I wanted to lend a hand in some way. So now I ask you, the reader of our blog, to please help spread the word of this concert series and to attend any or all of these concerts.

- Bryan Noll, BML Founder & Director

Aya Nishina will be participating in the 6:30pm show at Abrons Art Center on April 8th featuring vocalists; Becca Stevens, Nina Riley, Jo Lawry, Jean Rohe, Maria Neckam, Kyoko Kitamura, Yoon Sun Choi, Kim Suguoka, Jessie Arlen and more.

The 6:30 pm show will be followed by another show at 9:30 pm.

CONCERTS FOR JAPAN: hosted by John Zorn

April 8th
Abrons Art Center
466 Grand Street
New York, NY10002
+1 212 598 0400
$35 balcony, $50 orchestra
Buy Tickets

April 9th
Japan Society
333 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017
+1 212 715 1258
$100
Buy Tickets

The donations made through the purchases of these tickets will be 100% directed to the recent crisis through Japan Society. Please visit SaveJapanBenefits.org for more info.

APRIL 8TH AT ABRONS ART CENTER

6:30PM

JACK QUARTET
MILFORD GRAVES
MARK FELDMAN & SYLVIE COURVOISIER
ELLIOTT SHARP
IKUE MORI & JOHN ZORN
JAMIE SAFT AND NEW ZION TRIO
MIYA MASAOKA
AYA NISHINA and FRIENDS
ERIK FRIEDLANDER
ALHAMBRA TRIO WITH ROB BURGER
NED ROTHENBERG
MASADA STRING TRIO
GYAN RILEY
MATTHEW SHIPP
THURSTON MOORE

APRIL 8TH AT ABRONS ART CENTER

9:30PM

JESSE HARRIS
SEX MOB
ELYSIAN FIELDS
JG THIRLWELL'S MANOREXIA
BUKE AND GASS
VINICIUS CANTUARIA
NORAH JONES

APRIL 9 at JAPAN SOCIETY

1:00PM

PHILIP GLASS & HAL WILLNER
LOU REED, LAURIE ANDERSON & JOHN ZORN

6:00PM

RYUICHI SAKAMOTO SOLO
BILL LASWELL BAND WITH GIGI

Jesse Elder's CD "The Winding Shell" Reviewed on eJazz News

Submitted by jesse.elder on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 12:33

CD Reviews: Jesse Elder “The Winding Shell” CD-2009 Off
Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 11:34 AM

Glenn Astarita

Original Posting on eJazz News

Here, forward-thinking pianist Jesse Elder employs tenor sax titan, Gary Thomas along with talented jazz saxophonists Chris Cheek, Logan Richardson and Jeremy Viner. But Elder varies the program and finalizes the album with four piano duets, featuring Aya Nishina. Simply stated, Elder offers a bit of mind candy for the average jazz enthusiast, as the album title does indeed, parallel the content of his multifarious compositions.

Weaving saxes, false endings and Elder’s dynamic reengineering of themes are just a few of the underpinnings that generate gobs of excitement. The band also tosses in a few off-kilter treatments amid bustling rhythmic forays, crisp accents and intermittent treks into the freer realm. Elder possesses a broad musical vernacular, where some of these passages are constructed upon classical frameworks within the comprehensively arranged and largely, winding movements.

The frontline sax section often projects a sense of urgency to complement several melodic intervals. Thomas’ monstrous chops are in full force here, as he morphs a top-down soloing approach with blistering flurries. On “Kiss Rain,” the unit fuses sanguine storylines with whimsical sentiment, sparked by Elder’s huge block chords and melodic overtones. Then they interject a bit of funk via staggered flows and harmonious unison lines during the peppery jaunt titled “All Moments.”

Elder and Nishina interrogate each other while exploring various modes of counterpoint and structure on the four duets simply titled “I – IV.” They improvise through classical, jazz and avant-garde elements while also dishing out some rather haunting propositions. Sure enough, Elder is on track to impart a significant presence within global jazz circles due to this irrefutably, persuasive debut release. – Glenn Astarita

Track listing: Surrender; Solar Plexus; The Thoughtful Nudge; Flight Of The Pelican; Rotating Canvases; Kiss Rain; Red Paint; The Winding Shell; All Moments; I; II; III; IV.

Personnel: Logan Richardson: alto saxophone; Gary Thomas: tenor saxophone; Jesse Elder: piano; Christopher Tordini: bass; Tyshawn Sorey: drums; Chris Cheek: tenor saxophone; Jeremy Viner: tenor saxophone; Aya Nishina: piano.

Syndicate content