Feel free to check out the "Free Stuff" section of my online store where you will find a big load of tracks to download. No need to sign up with the store or even "Add To Cart" just use the Download button and get the MP3 right away.
I will performing a new show this coming Summer and Fall starting August 1 at The Hopkins Center for Arts in Dartmouth. The new show, which will be directed by film-maker Bill Morrison, is an expansion of the Block Ice & Propane concert I experimented with first at Joe's Pub in New York. At that performance I projected a few images from the family trips that inspired the music.
Bill and I will be workshopping ideas here in New York and then up at Dartmouth. Some of these ideas include using more projected images, a set, as well as the premier of new pieces to go with the new program. The Block Ice show will be presented at The Hop in Dartmouth, PICA TBA festival in Portalnd, OR, The Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis and the Wexner Art Center in Ohio.
Music Review | Erik Friedlander's Broken Arm Trio
Making the Cello Jazzy: It's All in the Pizzicato Pluck
By NATE CHINEN
Published: March 30, 2009
The cellist Erik Friedlander possesses a deep, singing tone on his instrument, and when he gives into it completely, he can be a heartbreaker.
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JazzTimes Feature & Review of BAT
Lucked out with March 09 JazzTimes a
nice feature by Eric Fine and an excellent review by A.D. Amorosi: "In other
words, it's gorgeous, soulful and smart."
Strange Family Business
Last November my daughter and I collaborated on a birthday song for my wife. Later, on Christmas day, with the help of
our friend Dick Connette we filmed this masterpiece (!)
Free Lessons Are Back!
Last year I experimented with giving away 4 30-minute lessons a month. Starting
this month on the 14th of January the free lessons return. They will occur
the second Wednesday of each month. Here's how to sign up:
Check the calendar to see if there is a free slot available (if you see a name you know the time is taken)
If you see a free slot send me an email:
Include on the email: your name, phone number, date requested, time-slot requested.
Unreleased CD from CHIMERA Now Free Online
Inspired by a story from the Decameron
In 1996 I brought my band Chimera into the studio to record "Promises, Promises" (Bacharach) for a Tzadik release. Wanting to take advantage of having everyone in the studio I brought along a book of music which we recorded and never released.
The project is called IZA, a roughened up Isabella from The Decameron. In the
story a virginal maiden falls for a young man who is then murdered by her brothers.
Though she is never told she sees a vision and knows the truth. She recovers
her lover's head which she hides in a pot where she grows a basil plant...which
she waters with her tears.
Chris Speed, clarinet; Andrew D'Angelo, bass clarinet; Drew Gress, bass and Erik Friedlander, cello.
Thanks to Luca Aghemo for the "doctored" Broken Arm image!
some recent press -- see more info at the Broken Arm EPK page.
"And what "out there" music list would be complete without an entry from Erik Friedlander? "Jim Zipper," from his "Broken Arm Trio," is about the most fun you can have in only 68 seconds."
--Mark Saleski, Picks & Best of 2008, Jazz.Com
Blog
In 1949 Oscar Pettiford broke his arm playing baseball.
He could still move his fingers even though his arm was
in a sling, so he began experimenting with a cello a
friend had lent to him. He tuned the cello like a bass
only an octave higher and later made history
recording
a series of cello-led projects including the great,
under-recognized 1964 Fantasy release, "My Little
Cello" featuring a photo of his newborn son whom he
named Cello.
Erik Friedlander tosses away his bow for this new band,
playing only pizzicato in a world steeped in the
influences of Oscar Pettiford and the small group feel
of Herbie Nichols.
Erik Friedlander, cello, Mike Sarin,
drums, Trevor Dunn, bass More Info:Broken Arm EPK
New Block Ice & Propane Music Book Published
Beautiful 36-page soft-cover book with:
performance notes
hand written original scores
published cello parts and concert scores
bowings & fingerings
New Digital Single - Flea
I have recorded and mixed a new single available in digital format only. The piece is called flea and it's fun, bouncing track infused with world rhythms & electronics
Erik Friedlander: cello, mandolin, vocalizing, drum/sample programming & keyboards; Satoshi Takeishi: clay pot
In 2000 I collaborated with my friend, writer Michael Greenberg, on a radio-style drama which we performed live at Tonic downtown. It was a wild three months of harried back-and-forth as Michael finsihed episodes and I would score them. We would rehearse the actors during a quick run-through a few hours before show time, keeping our "direction" to a few quick thoughts about pacing the lines (Michael) and how to cue off the music (me).
I responded to Michael's sense of drama and his ability to create a character
with just a few quick lines and so I wasn't surprised when I read his latest
book, Hurry Down Sunshine, and was completely engrossed. I highly
recommend it!
Hurry Down Sunshine is a memoir which tells the story of the extraordinary summer when, at the age of fifteen, Michael Greenberg's daughter was struck mad. It begins with Sally's sudden visionary crack-up on the streets of Greenwich Village, and continues, among other places, in the out-of-time world of a Manhattan psychiatric ward during the city's most sweltering months.
Music by Erik Friedlander. The Broken Arm soon available on SkipStone Records.
Podcast! BowTech
I'm hosting a podcast with violin maker Ron Fletcher about the technology of string instruments - how they are put together, how they work, repairs & maintenance. Episodes #1-3 are online and you can listen to it at http://bowtech.podbean.com. Let us know what you think: your questions and your comments are welcome.
The Time Based Art Festival will be presented by the Portland Institute of Creative Arts from Sept. 3-13. I will be performing 3 shows and a workshop starting Sept. 10. For more info
December 4 - Erik Friedlander Solo
Wexner Art Center - Colombus, OH
Erik's new show directed by film-maker Bill Morrison featuring the music from Block Ice & Propane and images taken from the 1960's & 70's
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