Avant Music News

A Cooler in the Shade festival is taking place in New York.

Cooler in the Shade in NYC

Cooler in the Shade 2007
Innovative Music, Intermedia & Free Lemonade

Friday, July 27 Fast Forward: “More Shady Than Cool”
Fast Forward – percussion
David Moss – voice and percussion
Min Xiao-Fen – pipa
Ray Bartkus – visuals

Truly an all-star quartet: Fast Forward is a New York based composer who makes music with almost anything, but is known for his in-depth explorations of the Trinidadian steel pan and for his music-theatre works. David Moss is considered one of the most innovative singers and percussionists in contemporary music. Min Xiao-Fen is a Chinese pipa player and vocalist, working in traditional Chinese music, contemporary classical music, and jazz. And visual artist Ray Bartkus has been evolving new collaborations between artists and musicians.

Lotus Music and Dance, 109 W. 27th, 8th Fl. (6th Ave.) 212/627-1076; 8 pm. $10. Sbwy: #1 to 28th St.

Saturday, July 28 Gustavo Matamoros: “Two Rooms with a View”
Gustavo Matamoros – electronics
Chris Mann – voice
David Watson – bagpipes

The Miami sound artist and instrument builder brings his keen sense of concept and architecture to works that investigate space through sonic manipulations. His creations include mixed pieces, compositions for tape, performances, installations, radiophonic works and multimedia spectacles. In this concert, the resonances of the room become articulated through the most unlikely of sources, promising a truly mystifying experience.

Lotus Music and Dance, 109 W. 27th, 8th Fl. (6th Ave.) 212/627-1076; 8 pm. $10. Sbwy: #1 to 28th St.

Friday, August 3 Anne Guthrie “Fraufraulein and Friends”
Anne Guthrie – French horn
Jeremiah Cymerman – clarinet
Billy Gomberg – laptop, etc.
Tom Blancarte – bass

Composer, performer, and poet Anne Guthrie is becoming known as a new light in New York’s avant-garde. As a French horn improviser, she has performed with Walter Thompson’s Soundpainting ensemble, with Edwin Prevost and with members of Sakada. Here she brings together a fresh ensemble of highly-praised young talent, for an evening of improvised acoustic music and electronic sound art.

Lotus Music and Dance, 109 W. 27th, 8th Fl. (6th Ave.) 212/627-1076; 8 pm. $10. Sbwy: #1 to 28th St.

Saturday, August 4 Jason Kao Hwang with EDGE
Jason Kao Hwang – violin
Taylor Ho Bynum – cornet
Ken Filiano – bass
Andrew Drury – drums

Coming to terms with sound heritages that are neither European nor African-American is one of improvised music’s newest challenges. Yet violinist Jason Kao Hwang is one player who navigates the contradictions with ease, and brings together yet another of his genre-bending ensembles. The EDGE quartet melds their individual experiences into a group that can swing hard, evoke the pentatonics and timbres of Asian music traditions or the edges of the blues, and push toward freedom.

Lotus Music and Dance, 109 W. 27th, 8th Fl. (6th Ave.) 212/627-1076; 8 pm. $10. Sbwy: #1 to 28th St.