Artist Talk: Muhal Richard Abrams

Friday, February 24, 2017 at 4:30pm
Adzenyah Rehearsal Hall, Daltry Room 003, 60 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown

FREE!

Artist talk with Muhal Richard Abrams. The pianist, at 86, is still composing, painting, and performing in a wide variety of settings that include improvised duets, big bands, string ensembles, and even solo electronics.

Mr. Abrams has mentored countless instrumentalists since 1965, when he co-founded the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, a non-profit co-op based in Chicago. The pianist moved to New York City in 1975 and created a chapter there seven years later; both chapters continue their vital jazz advocacy to this day.

Mr. Abrams worked extensively in hard bop bands as a young man. Gradually, he aligned himself with the bold new improvisational directions of the 1960s. However, Mr. Abrams never abandoned his roots; he simply added another dimension to his musical universe. Now, he doesn’t hesitate to utilize elements of blues, R&B, rock, or western classical music - if it suits his purposes.

Click here to view photos from this event on Flickr.