The Jasper String Quartet has been hailed as "sonically delightful and expressively compelling" (The Strad) and as having played "flashingly, brilliantly, [and] gloriously, with excellent interplayer communication" (The Santa Fe New Mexican). The communication comes naturally as J and Rachel are married and all four members are close friends, living within a block of each other in New Haven, Conn. Rock and roll changed Robert Dick's life when he was seven years old. He heard the piccolo solo in Bill Haley's "Rockin' Robin" and began to study the flute. Now, nearly forty years later, he's a virtuoso. Critics have called him a "rare wizard of the flute" and have said that his playing makes James Galway sound like the kid next door.
"Everybody ought to have a stone love." So says Ruthie Foster on the opening cut of "The Truth According to Ruthie Foster."
Story last updated at 5/19/2010 - 10:27 am
JUNEAU - For Ursel Schlicht, improvisation has the power to change a musician's approach to music. The internationally-known pianist and educator has taught courses on spontaneous musical creation at a number of universities, imparting her musical discoveries to students of all musical backgrounds. Her students have ranged from the classically trained to metal heads.
Schlicht will be in Juneau for the 24th annual Juneau Jazz and Classics festival as a guest performer and workshop leader.
Every musician, no matter the skill level, has the ability to learn to improvise, Schlicht said. Those who have had the most musical instruction are not necessarily the best ad libbers.
"The training can get in the way, though, because one has to be open to start anew," she said.
In a sense, all composed music was once an improvisation of some sort.
"Generally, most popular styles and most folklore include improvisation," Schlicht said.
The key to improvisation is to "feel" the music rather than "think" about it, to listen and respond to others rather than simply focus on one's own playing, Schlicht said.
Improvisation is an integral part of so many art forms, including music, dance, video and multimedia projects, Schlicht said. The act of jointly improvising with other artists adds a relational element to the experience.
"I used to think that one would have a deep personal connection with collaborative improvisers, but have also had experiences where the improvisation can be incredibly strong, but I would hardly know the person," she said.
In the improvisation courses Schlicht has taught, she has explored many aspects of creating music on the fly. She has started her students with simple, basic rhythms made with buckets and sticks before moving on to more complicated exercises using their primary instruments.
Despite her vast experience, Schlicht admitted that she still sometimes gets anxious while improvising.
"Sometimes that helps me to get into a state of high concentration and focus that for me is very important," she said.
Schlicht compared musical improvisation to any situation "where fast and flexible reactions are needed." This concept relates to language, in which speakers are constantly restructuring items in their vocabulary to create new, improvised sentences. But the idea remains similar in any situation that may contain unexpected elements, no matter how small, Schlicht said.
"Not every improvisation is original," she said. "I think one has to strive towards the most personal expression one is capable of in any given moment of improvising."
Libby Sterling may be reached at libby.sterling@capweek.com.
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"Everybody ought to have a stone love."
So says Ruthie Foster on the opening cut of "The Truth According to Ruthie Foster." And when Ruthie lays it down, you'd be well advised to listen.
This songwriter and performer tackles life's big issues throughout her sizzling new album. On it, Ruthie repeatedly testifies to her core message - that through all of the ups and downs of living, you must stay true to yourself. The pain as well as the joy of love, the strength it takes to weather life's challenges, the hope that grows from seeds of faith and wisdom.
And the music brings it to life. The combination of Foster's uplifting lyric and electrifying vocals, backed by a band of world-class players bristling with soul, proves impossible to resist.
The Ruthie Foster Band will perform at8 p.m. on May 21 at Centennial Hall, as well as at 5 and 9 p.m. on May 22 on the Blues Cruises, departing from Statter Harbor in Auke Bay. Tickets for the performance are $25 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Cruise tickets are $60 each.
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The Jasper String Quartet has been hailed as "sonically delightful and expressively compelling" (The Strad) and as having played "flashingly, brilliantly, [and] gloriously, with excellent interplayer communication" (The Santa Fe New Mexican). The communication comes naturally as J and Rachel are married and all four members are close friends, living within a block of each other in New Haven, Conn.
The quartet is named for Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, a place unmatched for its inherent and dramatic beauty - qualities integral to the Jasper String Quartet's belief in the power of string quartet performance.
The Jasper String Quartet will perform at 11 a.m. on May 22 on the Classical Cruise, departing from Statter Harbor in Auke Bay. Tickets are $60. They will also perform at the family concert at 2 p.m. on May 23 at the University of Alaska Southeast Egan Lecture Hall. Tickets are pay-as-you-can. Additional performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on May 24, 26 and 27 at Chapel by the Lake. Tickets for these performances are $25 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
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Rock and roll changed Robert Dick's life when he was seven years old. He heard the piccolo solo in Bill Haley's "Rockin' Robin" and began to study the flute. Now, nearly forty years later, he's a virtuoso. Critics have called him a "rare wizard of the flute" and have said that his playing makes James Galway sound like the kid next door.
Dick is a flutist and composer, although "inventor of flutes and ways of playing them" might suit him better. His multifaceted musical life includes work on redesigning the flute itself. Brannen Brothers Flutemakers manufactures his invention, the "Glissando Headjoint," which does for the flute what the "whammy bar" does for the electric guitar.
Robert Dick and Ursel Schlicht will perform during the family concert at 2 p.m. and also at 7:30 p.m. on May 23 at the University of Alaska Southeast Egan Lecture Hall. Tickets for the evening performance are $25 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
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Schlicht will lead a free improvisation workshop from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25 at the University of Alaska Southeast. All ages, levels, instruments and styles are welcome. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments.
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Brown Bag Concert Series
These free concerts feature JJ&C musicians in casual, entertaining and kid-friendly settings.
Concerts will be held at noon May 24-27 at the State Office Building and at noon on May 28 at the Nugget Mall.
