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Ethereal and meditative sounds from a trio of “beyond classical” innovators
In his own words, North Carolinian pianist and composer Chad Lawson is dedicated to “modernizing piano for the Spotify generation.” He seems well on the way to his goal, with more than 48 million streams of his Nocturne in A Minor on the platform. Known for conjuring a relaxed, meditative mood that draws on both the sonorities of classical music and the freedom of jazz improvisation, Lawson is also famed as a technical innovator, as heard on his #1 iTunes release re:piano (2018), an album composed of loops, effects, and layers of textured landscapes—all created on a piano. He comes to Sixth & I for an evening of original works and new arrangements of classical compositions, joined by two fellow “classical and beyond” luminaries: Judy Kang and Seth Parker Woods.
Classically trained yet well-versed in pop, jazz, hip-hop, and more, Canadian violinist Judy Kang was noted by the New York Times as “most likely the only musician to have worked with both Pierre Boulez and Lady Gaga,” with praise for her “lean, focused sound, pinpoint intonation, and expressively molded phrasing.” Most recently seen by Washington Performing Arts audiences last season in recital with Hilary Hahn, Seth Parker Woods is “a cellist of power and grace” (Guardian) and another devotedly eclectic artist, with past collaborators as wide-ranging as Louis Andriessen, Heinz Holliger, Peter Gabriel, Sting, and Dame Shirley Bassey.
Program includes selections from albums Chopin Variations, You Finally Knew, The Piano, and more.
Enhance your evening by joining us at 6 p.m. for a pre-performance Breathe workshop on site at Sixth & I. Lawson will use original live music, guided meditation, and focused breathing to demonstrate how to ease the mind and relax the nerves. Free with registration required. Performance tickets sold separately.
Register: https://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/calendar/buy?id=4611
