MUSIC
BY BRETT CAMPBELL
B BACK B
BEAT
M AT T H E W M U R P H Y
INHERIT THE WINDS
Imani Winds gives classical music a youthful jolt
M
any question whether classical music can survive its self-inflicted wounds:
aging, demographically narrow (read: predominantly old, white, rich)
audiences; endless recycling of the same old tunes from long-dead European
composers; bloodless performances in audience-unfriendly settings, etc. The
answer, my friend, is blowing in the winds — Imani Winds. Since 1997, the
quintet’s concerts have mixed classical, jazz and world music, much of it contemporary,
some composed by group members. As a result, their concerts regularly attract large,
ecstatic audiences that are younger, more varied and more engaged than just about any
others in classical music. The ensemble’s increasing acclaim has produced Grammy
nominations, world tours, performances at all of America’s most prestigious classical
venues and five recordings.
At 6 pm Sunday, Feb. 16, Imani returns to the University of Oregon’s Chamber
Music@Beall series. Along with The Rite of Spring, that revolutionary ballet score that
ignited 20th-century music, their Eugene program also features other 20th-century classics
by Debussy and Astor Piazzolla. But the big attractions are new music from living
American composers: excerpts from Imani flutist Valerie Coleman from Imani’s tribute to
the great American dancer/singer Josephine Baker, who ruled Paris cabarets in the 1920s;
a new work by Imani hornist Jeff Scott; and a new quintet the group commissioned from
one of the 21st century’s most fascinating and far-sighted jazzers, Jason Moran.
“That’s what we’re most proud of,” oboist Toyin Spellman says, “expanding the
repertoire by adding new sounds, like the premieres by two different jazz composers,
Wayne Shorter and Jason Moran, on our new album [Terra Incognita]. Imani Winds is
constantly listening to new composers, trying to think of ideas to link our program together
and make a theme that inspires the audience and the performer to feel like you’re in a
special space to come to a performance.”
Along with playing and commissioning the listener-friendly music of our time, Imani
also achieves that sense of greatness and connection by reaching out to audiences through
young people’s concerts, chats after concerts and a genuinely welcoming vibe. “Our whole
mission is to inspire the people who come to our concerts, and the inspiration doesn’t just
come from playing,” Spellman explains. “It comes from the audience knowing the
ensemble members and showing our personalities. That way when they hear us play our
instruments, they know us.” ■
On Saturday, Feb. 15, at 9:30 pm chez Sam Bond’s,
local dreamy folk-rock outfit Kingdom County will be
hosting a CD release party for the band’s latest
recording project, Six Songs. Longtime music buddies
Nicholas Cervantes (lead vocals, guitar) and Josh
Humphrey (vocals, guitar) formed the band in 2008
and picked up Kyle McGonegle (bass, mando) along
the way. Kingdom County, who have opened for the
likes of Ashia & the Bison Rouge and Austin Jenckes,
will be joined by the moody alt-country Tara
Stonecipher and The Tall Grass.
Valentine’s Day Roundup: Whether this day makes you
groan or swoon, whether you have zero or 10 sweeties,
MUSIC NEWS &
at least there’s some good music to put you in the
NOTES FROM
mood or take your mind off the faux holiday. The jazzy
DOWN IN THE
poppers of Concrete Loveseat present “Moonglow
WILLAMETTE
Valentine” in two shows, 7 pm ($10) and 9 pm ($8)
VALLEY
Friday, Feb. 14, while activist folk legend Holly Near
plays “for the love of our mothers, sisters, daughters, sweethearts and feminist
men” with pianist John Bucci and the guitars of emma’s revolution 8 pm at the
Unitarian Universalist Church ($25 adv., $27.50 door, contact mmeyer@efn.org for
info). Wandering Goat hosts a Valentine’s Day Extravaganza with local bands
Martian Manhunter, Barger Boyz and Portland’s Dottie Attie at 7:45 pm. Over at
Granary Pizza on 5th at 10 pm, Seattle’s National Steel guitar aficionado and
palindrome lover Baby Gramps will entertain with his witty renditions of labor
songs, nursery rhymes, hobo ditties and jazz and blues.
CONCRETE LOVESEAT
BABY GRAMPS
CLUB
A Gramps Valentine Show
100 YEARS
TH 2/13 Funk [Open Jam]
FRIDAY
FEB. 14
FR 2/14 Marv Ellis & We Tribe Organic
SU 2/16 Broadway Revue Burlesque Night
10PM | $10
933 Olive St | 541-687-4643
830 Olive St | 541-343-3204
In the heart of the Barmuda Triangle
DAILY HAPPY HOUR
3pm-6pm & 10pm-late
CRAFT COCKTAILS!
28 Beer Taps & 8 NW Wine Taps
Join us for lunch, dinner & late night.
Comfort food & a perfect pint!
First National Taphouse
51 W. Broadway | 541-393-6517
32
January 16, 2014 • eugeneweekly.com
THE GRANARY PIZZA CO.
259 E. 5Th AVE., EUGENE