Feb
4
2:00 PM14:00

Ciné-Concert: Le sang d'un poêt a film by Jean Cocteau (1930)

National gallery of art Presents

Matthew Nolan and Erik Friedlander Improvise a soundtrack to Jean Cocteau’s The Blood of a Poet

Matthew Nolan is a Dublin based musician, composer, academic and curator. He has produced new work in collaboration with some of the finest musicians around, both Irish and international. He has worked on commissions from a range of prestigious performing arts institutions, including National Gallery of Ireland, BAM and Film at Lincoln Centre in New York, The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., Kilkenny Arts Festival, Bram Stoker Festival, and the St Patrick’s Festival. His most recent projects were presented at MoLI in Dublin as part of their Ulysses centenary project and at the New York Film Festival. 2024 will see the release of Pomes Penyeach by Universal Music, produced in collaboration with Adrian Crowley and based on James Joyce’s short book of poetry. 

Erik Friedlander has released over 20 CD's as a leader and has composed music for ads, dance works, documentaries and films.  His most recent work is the film, “Baby Ruby” by first-time director Bess Wohl (2022). Other work includes “The Romanoffs” the series by Mad Men creator Matt Weiner; a special spot for America’s Got Talent and the feature films Oh Lucy! (2017), directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi and Thoroughbreds (2018), directed by Cory Finley. Other films scored by Friedlander include the documentary Nothing On Earth, directed by Mick Angus, the feature film Future Weather by Jenny Deller, the short film Spade by Mandi Riggi, and the PBS 4-part special “The Kingdom of David: The Saga of the Isrealites.”

Two extraordinary musicians tackle the signature surrealist film by Jean Cocteau, "Le sang d'un poète" (1930).  Daring and  bold the two sympatico players bring a modern take on this timeless classic.  

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Jan
25
to Jan 27

Benefit for Tzadik Records

A BENEFIT FOR TZADIK RECORDS

Limited Run, the online distributor for Tzadik’s direct-to-consumer mail order projects has declared bankruptcy owing the label $70,000. To help rebalance this loss these kind musicians have generously offered to make these three concerts benefits for Tzadik.

Please come, donate, and help Tzadik continue its mission to support and document new music in the 21st century.

A three-night run bringing together master improvisers to perform in multiple configurations and combinations, organized by and featuring John Zorn with Ikue Mori, Wendy Eisenberg, Dave Douglas, Sean Ono Lennon, Peter Evans, Kalia Vandever, Miles Okazaki, and many others.

Derek Bailey was a dear friend and mentor, whose passion for pure improvisation inspired generations of musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds. For these three nights we return to the Improv Night tradition that began as benefits for The Stone, and that have been, in many ways, inspired by Derek Bailey’s legendary Company Weeks.

Each evening will present a rotating kaleidoscope of master improvisers, who will then divide into smaller improvisational units—each concert promising a unique and exciting experience.

Please join us in this heartfelt tribute to the art of improvisation, to the ever-thriving, ever-expanding Downtown Scene, and to the spirit of Derek Bailey and Company.

—John Zorn

THURSDAY JAN 25


John Zorn sax
Ned Rothenberg sax
Jim Staley trombone
Michael Nicolas cello
Miles Okazaki guitar
Simon Hanes guitar, bass
Selendis Sebastian Alexander Johnson vibes
Arturo O’Farrill piano
Anna Abondolo bass
Nava Dunkelman percussion
Kenny Wollesen drums

FRIDAY JAN 26


John Zorn sax
Jon Irabagon sax
Peter Evans trumpet
Dave Taylor bass trombone
Erik Friedlander cello
Wendy Eisenberg guitar
Sae Hashimoto vibes, percussion
Brian Marsella piano
Jorge Roeder bass
Henry Fraser bass
David Weinstein electronics

SATURDAY JAN 27


John Zorn alto sax
Kalia Vandever trombone
Dave Douglas trumpet
Micah Thomas piano
Sean Ono Lennon guitar
Josh Modney violin
Jay Campbell cello
Luke Stewart bass
Ikue Mori electronics
Billy Martin percussion
Brian Chase drums

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The Throw @ Lilypad
May
7
1:30 PM13:30

The Throw @ Lilypad

This great band is coming to Boston for one performance only Sunday night May 7, at 930p.  The band featuring Uri Cain on piano; Mark Helias on bass; and Ches Smith on drums is an explosive, fun band to come and hear.  Don’t miss it!

Erik Friedlander’s new album A QUEENS’ FIREFLY (Skipstone Records, out April 29, 2022) finds the miraculous within the routine, taking inspiration from the small moments of life to create an overflow of joy and optimism.

While writing the tracks that would come to make up A Queens’ Firefly, Friedlander was struck by a Virginia Woolf quote from To The Lighthouse:

“What is the meaning of life? That was all – a simple question… The great revelation perhaps never did come. Instead, there were little daily miracles, illuminations, matches struck unexpectedly in the dark.”

Woolf’s quotation can apply to music as well – music is given meaning by musicians arranging and performing it. But outside the frame of any particular piece is the magic of the chemistry between musicians, which percolates and creates those ‘daily miracles.’ Friedlander composed a collection of songs that gives the musicians a structure for improvisation and sets the stage for fireworks. The band plays with a loose fearlessness that encourages spontaneous eccentricities and moments of synchronicity that were unforeseen, even by its players.

$20 at the door

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The Throw @ Hawks & Reed
May
6
7:30 PM19:30

The Throw @ Hawks & Reed

This great band is coming to Western MA for one performance only Saturday night May 6, at 730p.  The band featuring Uri Cain on piano; Mark Helias on bass; and Ches Smith on drums is an explosive, fun band to come and hear.  Don’t miss it!

Erik Friedlander’s new album A QUEENS’ FIREFLY (Skipstone Records, out April 29, 2022) finds the miraculous within the routine, taking inspiration from the small moments of life to create an overflow of joy and optimism.

While writing the tracks that would come to make up A Queens’ Firefly, Friedlander was struck by a Virginia Woolf quote from To The Lighthouse:

“What is the meaning of life? That was all – a simple question… The great revelation perhaps never did come. Instead, there were little daily miracles, illuminations, matches struck unexpectedly in the dark.”

Woolf’s quotation can apply to music as well – music is given meaning by musicians arranging and performing it. But outside the frame of any particular piece is the magic of the chemistry between musicians, which percolates and creates those ‘daily miracles.’ Friedlander composed a collection of songs that gives the musicians a structure for improvisation and sets the stage for fireworks. The band plays with a loose fearlessness that encourages spontaneous eccentricities and moments of synchronicity that were unforeseen, even by its players.

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May
5
to May 7

Northeast Tour with The Throw

Photo by Wolfgang Gonaus

My band The Throw will be going on a short tour of the Northeast in May. The band features Uri Caine on piano, Mark Helias on bass, Ches Smith on drums and me on cello. We’ll be playing tunes from our latest record A Queens’ Firefly as well as some other good stuff!

May 5 - Firehouse 12 in New Haven, CT


May 6 - Hawks & Reed in Greenfield MA


May 7 - The Lilypad in Cambridge, MA

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Nov
4
to Nov 17

The Throw European Tour 2022

My band The Throw will be touring Europe in November, dates below!

11.04.2022 WIEN/Austria - Porgy & Bess Jazz & Music Club

11.05.2022 PANCEVO/Serbia - PANCEVACKI JAZZ FESTIVAL

11.08.2022 ROMA/Italy - CASA DEL JAZZ

11.09.2022 TOURS/France - Le Petit Faucheux

11.10.2022 TOURS/France masterclass

11.11.2022 VILLACH/Austria - Parkhotel Villach, Bambergsaal

11.14.2022 BOZEN/Italy - Carambolage

11.15.2022 HALL/Austria - Kulturlabor Stromboli

11.16.2022 DACHAU/Germany - Kultur-Schranne

11.17.2022 MADRID/Spain - Teatro Fernan Gomez/Centro Cultural de la Villa

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Sep
26
8:30 PM20:30

Phillip Officer: “Let Me Sing And I’m Happy” at Birdland

On September 26th, I’ll be joining cabaret singer Phillip Officer at Birdland. For tickets and more info follow this link.. “Let Me Sing And I’m Happy” will celebrate a coterie of great writers and artists who have influenced Officer’s musical journey, including Peggy Lee, Carole King, Stephen Sondheim, The Beatles, Irving Berlin, Cher, and Johnny Mercer. Hope to see you there!

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Oct
1
to Oct 10
Feb
3
to Feb 9

The Throw European Tour 2020

2/3/2020 Institut Francais, Berlin, Germany

2/4/2020 NOSPR Chamber Hall, Katowice, Poland

2/5/2020 Muziekcentrum De Bijloke, Gent, Belgium

2/6/2020 Stadtgarten/Musiktriennale, Köln, Germany

2/7/2020 AMR, Geneva, Switzerland

2/8/2020 Pinnochio Jazz Club, Florence, Italy

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Oct
26
8:00 PM20:00

The Stone Brooklyn at happylucky no. 1 (Night 2)

At the end of October, I’ll be playing two shows at happylucky no. 1 in Crown Heights, as part of the Stone’s Brooklyn concert series. The second night will see me joined by Guilherme Monteiro on guitar, and Ben Goldberg on clarinet. 8pm, $20 at the door, you know the drill!

Lineup:

Erik Friedlander, cello

Guilherme Monteiro, guitar

Ben Goldberg, clarinet

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Oct
25
8:00 PM20:00

The Stone Brooklyn at happylucky no. 1 (Night 1)

At the end of October, I’ll be playing two shows at happylucky no. 1 in Crown Heights, as part of the Stone’s Brooklyn concert series. The first night will see me joined by Stomu Takeishi on bass and Ches Smith on drums. 8pm, $20 at the door, you know the drill!

Lineup:

Erik Friedlander, cello

Stomu Takeishi, bass

Ches Smith, drums

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