Conservatory News

Conservatory Artist Spotlight - Rudresh Mahanthappa 

The Conservatory is proud to spotlight one of the leading talents in South Asian-influenced jazz, alto-saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa. A multi-award winning and critically acclaimed composer, Mahanthappa's music engages in a complex dialogue between the worlds of Indian culture and American jazz. In releases such as 2008's Apti and 2011's Samdhi, we hear a musician seeking to resolve an inner-tension between his American upbringing (Colorado native) and Indian heritage. The result is a sprawling, often mesmerizing artistic approach that fuses ancient Indian melodies and rhythms with jazz themes from bebop to avant-garde.

As a saxophone student growing up in the 1980's, Rudresh drew inspiration from American jazz icons like John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. It wasn't until his time at Berklee College of Music, however, that his older brother gave him what was supposed to be a gag gift from India: a CD entitled, "Saxophone Indian Style" by Kadri Gopalnath. What was originally intended as a joke, quickly became a source of inspiration and awe for the young musician. When he moved to New York from Berklee in the mid-1990's, he began to experiment with other Indian-American jazz musicians, notably composer and pianist Vijay Iyer (who just won five 2012 DownBeat Critics Poll awards). The two have been consistent collaborators for the last 15 years, producing together the May 2006 Savoy Jazz release, Raw Materials. 

Rudresh Mahanthappa - Samdhi

Rudresh's musical journey came full circle, so to speak, in late 2006 when he made multiple visits to India, using the funds obtained from a Guggenheim fellowship. It was there that he was able to study with no less than Kadri Gopalnath, whose artistic approach had inspired him so much back at Berklee. The relationship led  to 2008's Kinsmen (Pi Recordings), which featured both Rudresh and Gopalnath on the same recording. The release featured even further experimentation with Indian themes, highlighting Gopalnath's unprecedented style. The recording, as well as the performances that followed, caused a great sensation in the jazz world for its passionate curiosity and artistic exploration. 

Check out the catalogue of this incendiary artist, and be sure to save the date when he plays for the Conservatory on September 20th. 

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Community News 

Opera On Tap

Brooklyn has always been a place for breaking down barriers in terms of how people experience art. We wrote last month of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and their experimentation with different programs as a means of making orchestral music more inviting to younger audiences. Joining in the fight to revitalize classical music is Opera In Tap, a Brooklyn-based arts initiative with locations all over the country. Their business mantra is simple: bring opera to the bars. Instead of suffering through two sets from a classic rock cover band, guzzle your suds over heart-wrenching, glass-shattering arias performed live by professional vocalists. Opera On Tap has residencies at two Park Slope locations, Freddy's Bar on 5th Avenue, and Barbes on 6th. Check out their site for the next performance!

Pete's Program Pick

Radio Strings (September-February)

Radio Strings is a non-traditional and exciting new violin ensemble offered at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. You won't find any classical music played during this hour! Kids will learn how to play their favorite tunes of today, drawing from a variety of contemporary genres. Kids will improvise, harmonize, and make beautiful pop music together!

All children will receive sheet music and a reference CD. Parents are encouraged to stay during the class, and Radio Strings will have multiple performances over the course of the year. The goal is to have fun and play great music together! Enroll today!

-Pete Robbins, Dean of Programs

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