Burnett Thompson & Alex Blake

The performance this evening concludes 3 months of concerts, including a 6 city tour of China, and a new CD album. Autumn in Yunnan 云南秋日 is   collection of Chinese tribal melodies and new compositions for   by pianist/composer Burnett Thompson. The pieces are reflections on the depths of Chinese culture, especially the diverse elements present in Yunnan province, a region of towering mountains and tropical jungles. Numerous ethnic minorities live side by side, separated by language, clothing, cuisine, music, and art. Autumn in Yunnan云南秋日 is an expression of nostalgia for these fragile elements, an attempt to evoke the singularity and beauty of past and present. Burnett Thompson has been collaborating with prominent Chinese traditional instrumentalists and vocalists for the last 20 years. He has lectured and performed at countless major universities in a dozen Chinese cities from the northeast to the southwest. Additionally, he has volunteered in community centers, elementary and high schools, as well as facilities for senior citizens and blind children. A self-taught Mandarin speaker, Burnett has sought to grasp the historical scope of the labyrinth of Chinese culture as expressed through music, art, and language. "His moods and means shift constantly. ...improvisations dazzle in their own sweet and astringently abstract way." -Jazz Times "a distinctly personal musical expression, a quixotic, extemporaneous meditation" -The Washington Post Bassist Alex Blake has been at the forefront of innovation in jazz and the avant-garde over the last 45 years. Born in   Panama, Alex has a revolutionary playing style and technique distinctly his own. He combines innovative strumming, rapid lyrical notations and percussive slaps on his bass to create a unique and compelling sound.     Alex was  a long-time member of NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston’s African Rhythms.  He  began his career with Sun Ra at age 16, followed by tours and collaborations with Dizzy Gillespie,  Pharaoh Sanders,  Sonny Rollins,  Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Lenny White, Stan Getz,  Harry Belafonte, and countless others.   Doors at 7:30 PM Shows at 8 PM and 9:30 PM. There is a $20 music charge for reserved seats. $10 for students.  To reserve a seat in the listening room, click on the link below.