Swiss-born pianist/composer in commentary and excerpts from four performances at Roulette: A trio with percussionist Kenny Wolleson and bassist Drew Gress (2016, 2020), Amalthea (aka Poppy Seeds) (2024) with Patricia Brennan, vibes; Thomas Morgan, bass, Dan Weiss, drums, and
Chimaera (2022) with Christian Fennesz, electronics; Nate Wooley, trumpet; plus Wolleson (vibes) and Gress.
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28:00
Bobby Previte: The Circular Machine
The music of Bobby Previte and ensembles recorded between 1987 and 2018 at the Roulette performance spaces in New York. Admired as both a drummer and composer, Previte is also one the great raconteurs of the downtown experimental music scene. We'll hear the 1987 band with Marty Ehrlich (reeds),Tom Varner (horn), Wayne Horvitz (keys), Dave Hofstra (bass); a trio from 1994 with Horvitz (piano & electronic keyboards), and Skerik (tenor sax & electronics); and the Rhapsody Band from 2018 with Nels Cline (acoustic guitars), John Medeski, (piano), Zeena Parkins (harp), Jen Shyu (voice and erhu fiddle), Fabian Rucker (alto sax), and the composer on drums, autoharp, electronics, and percussion.
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27:59
Nibal Malshi: Arabic Blessings
The Palestinian-born US resident singer Nibal Malshi in excerpts and commentary on selections from the 20th-century classical Arab repertoire of the Levantine – Egyptian region, highlighting songs performed by female singers from Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon. In 2021 Malshi performed at Roulette with an ensemble led by master qanun (zither) player Firas Zreik with Zafer Tawil on oud (lute), John Murchison on bass, Johnny Farraj on riqq (small frame drum), and Gilbert Mansour on tabla. In 2023 the ensemble was again Mansour and Murchison led by master violinist Gabriel Dahrieh with Maurice Chedid (oud) and Eddy Fadel (percussion). Portions of these recordings were co-presented by Roulette, Brooklyn Maqam, and Robert Browning Associates, who have been bringing music of the world to New York venues for decades. Malshi returns to Roulette on March 15, 2025.
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28:00
Shamar Watt: Superposition
The music of composer Shamar Watt (aka BongoWattZ), whose work incorporates everything from techno to gospel, ecstatic movement, and manipulated light, with excerpts from the artist's archive alongside commentary on his Jamaican heritage, spirituality, technology, and noise. Watt performs at Roulette on March 1, 2025 as part of the annual Mixology Festival and again on March 13 with Lester St. Louis.
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27:59
Ellen Fullman: The Miracle Bubbles
Composer/performer and instrument maker Ellen Fullman describes the origins and development of her Long Strong Instrument; dozens of strings running 40 feet or more, excited by longitudinal vibration in just intonation. The artist’s commentary is illustrated with samples from rare recordings and releases with cellist Theresa Wong, the JACK String Quartet, and others. Fullman and Wong return to Roulette with the full installation on 30-31 Jan. 2025 with a workshop on 29 Jan.
New & Adventurous Music! Founded in 1978 and operating out of lofts and galleries for years, Roulette continues its mission to support new and established innovators in music and cross-media performing arts in a glorious 400 seat theater in Brooklyn. Podcasts and excerpts here; you can hear these full concerts, and hundreds more, at roulette.org/archive. Enjoy!
France