Over his nearly four-decade career,
Hank Roberts has forged a compelling original voice as a composer and a cellist, encompassing abstract improvisation, jazz influences, soulful folk melodies, intricate new-music compositions and vigorous rock songs. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Roberts made his name in the 1980s legendary New York Downtown scene. Faced with a dearth of improvisational cellist mentors or peers, he carved his own path through that fertile ground alongside such frequent collaborators as Bill Frisell, Tim Berne, Marc Ribot and John Zorn, finding a second home at the famed Knitting Factory, leading and recording with his own groups, ‘Birds of Prey, ‘Black Pastels’, ‘Little Motor People’ and co-founding ‘Miniature’ with Tim Berne and Joey Baron, and the ‘Arcado String Trio’ with Mark Feldman and Mark Dresser. He is currently a member of Bill Frisell’s 858 Quartet and Big Sur Quintet, and appeared on the guitarist’s Grammy-winning 2004 release Unspeakable. He’s recorded 10 albums on the ‘Winter & Winter’ label, along with numerable self-released recordings. His solo performances are singularly compelling and unpredictable, wending from jagged dissonance to intoxicating pop songcraft.
www.hankrobertsmusic.comThrough her atypical experiences the singer, composer, performer and writer
Emilie Lesbros blurs the boundaries between different genres. Born and raised in Marseille (France) and later in Paris, her career has led her from town to town, playing her own music. As of recent she is based in New York. Lesbros works as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist in various contexts, engaging in eclectic musical projects ranging from rock to electronic music, jazz and improvised music. “As a singer, she combines the intimate lyricism and visceral power of music with the freedom and experimental potential of improvisation, creating a new musical language that is direct and authentic but also universal and dynamic” – All About Jazz
http://www.emilielesbros.comSarah Bernstein is a violinist, composer, improviser, vocalist and poet based in NYC. Nominated “Rising Star” in the 63rd Annual DownBeat critics poll, she is a recognized innovator and in-demand violinist with many recordings to her credit. Her latest release Still/Free is out on Leo Records with Kris Davis, Stuart Popejoy and Ches Smith. She also leads the minimalist/experimental duo Unearthish with Satoshi Takeishi, improvising strings Frikativ Quartet, noise/poetry band Iron Dog and solo performance Exolinger. Recent performances and recordings are with Kid Millions, Anthony Braxton, Steve Swell, Taylor Ho Bynum, James Ilgenfritz, Hans Tammen, and Ron Anderson. Sarah is originally from San Francisco, CA. She holds a B.F.A. in Violin Performance from CalArts and an M.A. in Jazz Studies from CUNY Queens College.
http://sarahbernstein.com
Pianist/Composer Angelica Sanchez moved to New York from Arizona in 1994. Since moving to the East Coast Sanchez has played with such players as: Wadada Leo Smith, Paul Motian, Richard Davis, Chad Taylor, Chris Lightcap, Rob Mazurek, Vincent Chancey, Susie Ibarra, Tim Berne, Mario Pavone, Mark Dresser, Ben Monder and many more. Sanchez leads many groups including her own quintet featuring Marc Ducret, Tony Malaby, Drew Gress, and Tom Rainey. Her music has been recognized in international publications like, ” Jazz Times Magazine”, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and many more. She was also the 2008 recipient of the French/American Chamber Music America grant and the 2011 Rockefellers Brothers Pocantico artist residency. Her CD “Life Between” was chosen as one of years best recording 2009 in “All About Jazz/NY”. Her debut solo CD “A Little House” was featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition in May 2011. Her latest CD “Wires & Moss” featuring her Quintet was chosen as one of best Releases of 2012 in “All About Jazz/NYC”. Her Duo CD “Twine Forest” with Wadada Leo Smith received Honorable Mention as a best release in 2013 in The NYC Jazz Record. http://www.angelicasanchez.com/
Pheeroan akLaff (born January 27, 1955) is an American jazz drummer. Pheeroan akLaff began playing in his hometown of Detroit, and Ann Arbor, Michigan with Travis Biggs, Ars Nova, The Ebony Set, The Last Days, and Rod Lumpkin, recorded with Major Lansky. Moved to New Haven, Connecticut and formed DejaVu with Dwight Andrews. Debuted with Bill Baron in 1975; followed by tenure in Leo Smith’s New Dalta Ahkri. Later developed a longstanding association with Oliver Lake, which included writing for their fusion ensemble, Jump Up. His performance and recorded history includes works with Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Reggie Workman and many others. He is co-founder of Seed Artists Inc. of Brooklyn 2006. He is Wesleyan University music teacher. http://www.pheeroanaklaff.com/
