Portraits
December 16 - 17, 2007
New York - Epistrophy Cafe
music: Wolff, The Moonlighters, Avram Fefer & Yacouba Sissoko, David Grubbs
December 16, 2007
8PM
Wolff
Austin, Texas native Brian Wolff previously played in Drums and Tuba, gigging over 200 shows a year. He then "spent a chunk of time hiding in the apartment and working on being able to pull this solo act off live. The concept is that all the sounds are generated by, with, and through the tuba itself with the help of numerous guitar pedals and other sundry looping devices. There's no need to be afraid. It's not nearly as scary as it sounds."
9PM
The Moonlighters
The Moonlighters have been a part of the NYC jazz and pop scene since 1998. Their harmonized vocal duets, backed by Hawaiian lap steel guitar, ukulele, guitar and bass, explore many styles of 20th Century jazz and the golden age of pop: ragtime, swing, Hawaiian, country, blues, and be-bop. Influences include Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, the Boswell Sisters, Sol Hoopii, King Bennie Nawahi, Al Bowlly, George and Ira Gershwin.
December 17, 2007
8PM
Avram Fefer & Yacouba Sissoko
Saxophonist Avram Fefer has been performing and recording internationally since 1990. His first several recordings as a leader were singled out as among the Best of 2001 - 2002. Fefer has been featured in the David Murray Big Band, Butch Morris Orchestra, Joseph Bowie Big Band, Mingus Big Band and new music ensembles, including Burnt Sugar, Hahahaes, Kakande and his own Afro-Latin band, Free Spirit.
Yacouba Sissoko is a Master Kora player from the Djely griot tradition. He was born in Kita, Mali. His grandfather, Samakoun Tounkara, began teaching Yacouba when he was 12 years old. In his career, he has traveled to almost every nation on the African continent, as well as most of Europe, Canada, the US and Australia. He is in demand as one of the best kora players in the world, playing with jazz, Latin and R & B bands as well as traditional African ceremonies.
9PM
David Grubbs
David Grubbs has released nine full-length solo albums, has appeared on more than 100 commercially-released recordings, and has composed soundtracks for films and installations. In 2000, his album The Spectrum Between was named “Album of the Year” in the London Sunday Times. He is a founding member of the groups Gastr del Sol, Bastro, Squirrel Bait, and the Wingdale Community Singers, and has participated in the Red Krayola since 1993. He directs the Blue Chopsticks record label.
photo gallery
Brian Wolff
The Moonlighters
photos by Courtney VanJahnke
Avram Fefer & Yacouba Sissoko
David Grubbs
DJ Diskull
