Birmingham Music Club

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Branford Marsalis featured in next Birmingham Music Club program
World-renowned saxaphonist Branford Marsalis has always been a man of numerous musical interest, from jazz, blues and funk to classical music.  The three-time Grammy winner continues to exercise and expand his skills as an instrumentalist, a composer, and head of Marsalis Music. A New Orleans native, he is part of the most distinguished musical families including patriarch/pianist/educotr Ellis Marsalis and siblings Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason.  He has teamed up with the acclaimed Philarmonia Brasileira under the direction of Gil Jardim for this exclusive tour in celebration of the works of Villa-Lobos.

The BMC presents this amazing concert in collaboration with the Alys Stephens Center.  Its an evening not to be missed by jazz and classical enthusiasts alike.  So get that date on the calendar.  Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 7 pm in the ASC Jemison Concert Hall.  Come early and enjoy a sampling of Brazilian wines and attend Preludes for an insight about the evening show.  For tickets call 975-ARTS.
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Turtle Island Quartet, Assad guitar duo break new musical ground in breezy collaboration

Posted by Michael Huebner October 20, 2008 1:33 PM

Four stars out of five

TURTLE ISLAND STRING QUARTET and THE ASSAD BROTHERS

Mads Tolling and David Balakrishnan, violinists; Jeremy Kittel, violist; Mark Summer, cellist
Sergio and Odair Assad, guitarists
Presented by Birmingham Music Club

Assad Brothers Guitar Duo
A Brazilian classical guitar duo and a jazz string quartet -- each making strides in their respective corners of the music marketplace -- found common ground Sunday in Birmingham.

No traces of aesthetic or sibling rivalvies could be detected from brothers Sergio and Odair Assad and the Turtle Island String Quartet in their "String Theory" program. Instead, they presented a breezy, thought-provoking concert that elevated the overused moniker "fusion" to a new aesthetic.

 

TISQ kicked off the two-hour show by themselves, with two tracks from the quartet's Grammy-winning John Coltrane tribute album, "A Love Supreme." "Moment's Notice" set the mood with its distinctive harmonies and infectious tunes, but the group hit its stride with a vibrant and percussion arrangement of "Song to John," co-composed by Stanley Clarke and Chick Corea.

Turtle Island String Quartet
Corea's "No Mystery" seemed ideally made for the combined ensembles, at least in this arrangement by TISQ violinist David Balakrishnan. The six musicians' lustrous blend left no doubt about their homogeneity and adaptability, but Sergio Assad's "Djembe," a kinetic, altogether mesmerizing piece, took their collaboration to a new level.

Astor Piazzolla's "Verano Porteno" and Clarice Assad's "Rachenitsa" contributed to the concert's world beat theme. The Assads' duo-only set was highlighted by "Tahhiyya li ossoulina," which built a musical bridge to the Middle East with its evocative melodies reminiscent of an Arabic oud (lute). Balakrishnan's "Darkness Dreaming" was driven by an Indian raga, but was left flailing between between jazz and modern classical. "Ecotopia," by the pioneer crossover musician Ralph Towner, created a world-ish, minimalist ambiance. Sergio Assad's contemplative "Farewell," was played as an encore.

A slim crowd that filled only about half of Jemison Concert Hall heard what may be the most groundbreaking musical collaboration in many concert seasons.

mhuebner@bhamnews.com

For more blog postings by Michael Huebner visit http://blog.al.com/mhuebner/atom.xml.

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Beyond the Performance
Turtle island Quartet will reach beyond the performance while in Birmingham.  Monday morning, October 20m they will present a school program for grades 6-12 called "The Art of the Groove" which focuses on the fundamental differences between European classical and American popular music.  It is part of "Meet the Artist" at the Alys Stephens Center.  Reservations are first come, first serve.  Call (205) 934-0862.
The Assad Brothers will also share their expertise as they offer a master class for area guitarist on Monday, October 20th, at noon in the ASC Reynold's Kirshbuam Theatre.  Reservations are required.  Call (205) 934-0862.
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Single Tickets On Sale Now
Season tickets are still on sale but if you can't make your calendar work for every event make plans to attend at least one.  Single tickets are now on sale. 

Order in Person:
Alys Stephens Center Box Office
1200 Tenth Avenue South, Birmingham
Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Charge by Phone: (205) 975-ARTS or toll free at 1-877-ART-TIKS

Order by Fax: (205) 975-2958

Order Online:  Click here to purchase single tickets online.

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Preview the 2008-2009 Season

We have just completed our 102nd season with a concert by one of the top ten classical pianist of our generation, Leif Ove Andsnes, at the Alys Stephens Center Jemison Concert Hall, which garnered a 5 star review. We are in the midst of planning our 2008-2009 season to open in October with the Assad Brothers and Turtle Island String Quartet.  In addition to this great performance, the Assad Brothers will be leading a guitar master class for the leading students in our local universities and the Turtle Island String Quartet will engage over 800 elementary and middle school students in an interactive performance the following day - carrying out one of our primary missions, to educate a new generation about wonderful music to which many of them have never been exposed.   The season continues with the incomparable Marsalis Brasilianos coupled with a master class by jazz and classical legend Branford Marsalis.  In January, we present our local celebrity ophthalmologist and winner of the Van Cliburn Foundation’s International Piano Competition for Amateurs Drew Mays.  We conclude our season with a program designed to engage visual, film and classical audiences as well as families as I Musici de Montreal presents a multimedia extravaganza to “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

Our website will be updated soon with this information.  In the meantime, please visit the Alys Stephens Center website at http://alysstephens.uab.edu/lineup/series08/classicallyinclined/ to get details.

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Link to web log's RSS file

2008-2009 Single and Season Tickets are available now!  You may order them through the Alys Stephens Center box office at 1200 10th Avenue S open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 6 p.m. and on days of performances.  You can also contact the box office at 975-ARTS.

Click here to download a season ticket order form

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Marsalis Brasilianos featuring
Branford Marsalis
Sunday, November 9 19 at 7pm
ASC Jemison Concert Hall
$85, $65, 55, $45, Student $20

REVIEW: Branford Marsalis & Philarmonia Brasileira @ Hult Center (Eugene, OR - - 10/2/08) 3rd of Oct 08 (Fri) by postymcposterton

http://jazzsick.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/branford-marsalis-eugene-2008/

Scholarships

Music majors at accredited public and private Alabama colleges are eligible to compete for the prestigious Biringham Music Club scholarships.  Auditions will take place at the Hill Recital Hall on the Birmingham-Southern College campus on March 7 & 8, 2009The deadline for application is February 13, 2009.  Details and application are now online.

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