Vol 6 of the This Music/TM series
Presenting:
Eric Barber’s Sublimity
After subbing for Tony Malaby in a prime improv setting with the .01% series, and more than ably succeeding, Eric comes to the forefront with a cross-generational group that speaks to his creative edge leadership
Eric Barber, multi-saxophones
Chi-Wei Lo: piano
Akiva Jacobs: bass
Francisco Mela, Drums, percussion
https://www.facebook.com/thismusicseries/events
Contact: Alex Lemski, alexlemski@gmail.com, 617/800-7244
Experimental Improvisational music from professional, seasoned musicians, and young creatives!
This Music (TM) Series is a Boston musician’s initiative to recognize the creativity of many who haven’t been given the stage as leaders, often younger than the Jazz scene veterans; those with acknowledgement who can create a new project and musical ideas; and the unsung “gems” who aren’t in the public’ eye and deserve to be. The emphasis is on the freer forms, the adventurous (to help find a “home”).
Eric Barber:
Tenor and soprano saxophonist - Creative Strategist – Music Educator
He’s the new top leadership for Walnut Hill School for the Arts
Barber comes to Natick,MA from Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, California. At the University of Oregon he earned his BA in Music, before receiving a Master’s in Fine Arts in Jazz and African-American Music at California Institute of the Arts.
(b. 1972) has been recognized as part of a generation of artists whose artistic voice and output defy categorization. Barber has developed a unique approach to the saxophone, integrating influences from jazz, Balkan and Indian music with a personal vocabulary of extended saxophone techniques.
His versatility, unique approach to the saxophone and artistic fearlessness have made him a regular collaborator with some of the most innovative and unconventional figures in new music today, including Nels Cline, Mark Dresser, Vinny Golia, Wayne Horvitz, Art Jarvinen, Steuart Liebig, Poovalur Srinivasan, Wadada Leo Smith, Miroslav Tadic, Tom Varner, and Glen Velez. Eric grew up in Eugene and majored in music at the University of Oregon.
“Eric Barber takes us to a place where creativity, experimentation, and originality rule. Many sounds flow from this talented artist. At times the music and musings are complex yet it follows his original approach to composition. He unearths sonic treasures mixed in with more common sounds for the pleasure of the listener." -- The CRITICAL REVIEW Service
Drummer Francisco Mela: In demand, loved by the musicians and listeners, the scene and beyond, a treasure…!
Francisco is a favorite amongst jazz's elite instrumentalists, among them, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, JoAnne Brackeen, Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, Bobby Watson and McCoy Tyner, William Parker, all of whom cite his charisma, sophistication, and life-affirming spirit as an extension of his incredible talents as a composer and drummer.
Francisco Mela was born in 1968 in Bayamo, Cuba. He moved to Boston in 2000 to pursue a degree at the acclaimed Berklee College of Music and, quickly thereafter, the faculty recognized that Mela had much to offer students and promptly hired him to teach at the school.
In 2005, Mela joined the quartet of saxophonist Joe Lovano. Of particular note was the group's 2008 album on Blue Note entitled Folk Art.[2] Later that year, Mela was approached by McCoy Tyner to join his trio.
Born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, pianist Chi Wei Lo started studying piano at the age of three. He soon established himself as one of the prominently gifted children in the country, and has experienced success sharing his sincere love for music, winning all the major national piano competitions. In 2017, Lo became a doctoral candidate at the New England Conservatory, majoring in contemporary piano improvisation, under the guidance of Ran Blake and Anthony Coleman. Performances in 2018 include a debut at TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York) with New Asia Chamber Society; a debut at Tufts University with Psychopomp, improvising on the “intermezzo” of the silent film, "Metropolis" (1927), using a prepared piano and newly made percussion instruments. During the summer of 2018, Mr. Lo received high praise for his interdisciplinary piano recital, “Declaration of Aesthetics,” which acts out the life of Vincent van Gogh.