James Emery and the String Trio of New York present One Art: A Music & Poetry Performance, with guest artists poet Paul Kane and drummer Thurman Barker who will join them on this special concert performance. The concert will take place at the Newburgh branch of SUNY/Orange on April 29 at 7:30 PM in the OBTC Great Room 101 in Kaplan Hall.
Music and Poetry complement each other naturally. So, when two friends who are award winners in their fields of music and poetry, respectfully, work together, a beautifully thoughtful performance emerges. Such is the event on Saturday, April 29, 2023 when musician/composer James Emery and poet Paul Kane bring their collaborative program One Art: A Music & Poetry Performance to the OBTC Great Room 101 in Kaplan Hall at 7:30pm.
Ah! And the dynamics of sound will be much larger than Emery’s Jimmy D'Aquisto, hand-built, archtop, acoustic guitar and Kane’s soft, yet distinctive speaking voice. Emery will be playing with his fellow members of the String Trio of New York, Rob Thomas on five-string violin, and Tony Marino, on acoustic bass. In addition, veteran jazz drummer/percussionist Thurman Barker will join them to further enlarge the sound.
In 1977, Emery co-founded the String Trio of New York with Billy Bang and John Lindberg, which brought the genre-busting sounds of chamber jazz to the forefront. By definition, chamber jazz “combines jazz, western classical, world-music, and experimental forms into a cohesive palette of sonic textures and adventurous energy.” JazzTimes observed, “No individual or ensemble has done more to demystify chamber jazz, and to realize its potential for warmth, sensuousness, and beauty ...than the String Trio of New York.”
Virtuoso guitarist and composer James Emery has received international recognition for his distinctive and highly original approach to both improvisation and composition. With the String Trio of New York, James Emery has enjoyed his most renown and appreciation of his acclaimed work. However, additionally, Emery leads his own trio, quartet, sextet, and septet, and performs solo concerts. A composer of great scope and depth, he has composed for chamber groups, jazz ensembles, solo guitar, chamber orchestra, and symphony orchestra.
Rob Thomas is a highly regarded jazz multi-instrumentalist, fluent on violin, bass, and cello. JazzTimes calls him “a violinist of exceptional creative resources... riveting as a solo voice with a rich complex tone that can sing or shriek.” He is known locally as a member of the Chris Parker bands. He is currently a professor at Berklee College of Music, Boston.
Tony Marino began his professional career as a musician while still a teenager in the Poconos and Catskills. He is known locally for his performances with the Chris Parker Bands. His versatility and wide range of musicality has afforded him opportunities to accompany and record with numerous artists from folk to pop. He has performed regularly with Broadway star Betty Buckley and jazz pianist Kenny Werner as well as performing, recording, and touring internationally with the Dave Liebman Band.
Thurman Barker is a celebrated percussionist who built his career on innovation. His career has spanned decades, and his talent encompasses many musical genres. From jazz and blues to contemporary, classical, and beyond, his sound blurs traditionally rigid lines to the delight of his audiences. He has played behind Bette Midler, Marvin Gaye, Billy Eckstein, Vicky Carr, and Mighty Joe Young. He was a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) and is an ASCAP member. Presently, he is a professor of music at Bard College.
Paul Kane is an American poet, critic and scholar. Awards for his work include Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Guggenheim Foundation, the Bogliasco Foundation, and a Fulbright Award. He is also considered an Australian poet and has an honorary doctorate from La Trobe University in Australia. In November 2022, he was awarded the Order of Australia by the Australian government for “significant service to literature, particularly through the promotion of Australian arts, poetry, and emerging talent.” Kane has published twelve collections of poems, six non-fictions, and four collaborations. His poems are cerebral and emotional in equal measure. He has fascinating insight into other poets works and shares that easily during master classes. Kane is a professor of English and Environmental Studies at Vassar College.
Come to the Great Room in Kaplan Hall for a sure-to-be memorable evening of music and poetry while viewing the Hudson River. Kaplan Hall is situated on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River and the Great Room has two walls of glass offering full view of the river.
Admission is $5, cash or check only. Parking is free in the college garage at 73 First St, Newburgh. Questions may be directed to cultural@sunyorange.edu and check out the website:sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs