Friday, October 8, 2010

Bill Frisell's Beautiful Dreamers

"It's hard to find a more fruitful meditation on American music than
in the compositions of guitarist Bill Frisell. Mixing rock and
country with jazz and blues, he's found what connects them:
improvisation and a sense of play. Unlike other pastichists, who
tend to duck passion, Mr. Frisell plays up the pleasure in the music
and also takes on another often-avoided subject, tenderness." - The
New York Times

Born in Baltimore, Bill Frisell played clarinet throughout his childhood in
Denver, Colorado. His interest in guitar began with his exposure to pop
music on the radio. Soon, the Chicago Blues became a passion through the
work of Otis Rush, B.B. King, Paul Butterfield and Buddy Guy. In high
school, he played in bands covering pop and soul classics, James Brown
and other dance material. Later, Bill studied music at the University of
Northern Colorado before attending Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Over the years, Frisell has contributed to the work of such collaborators as Paul Motian, John Zorn, Elvis Costello, Ginger Baker, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Suzanne Vega, Loudon Wainwright III, Van Dyke
Parks, Vic Chesnutt, Rickie, Lee Jones, Ron Sexsmith, Vinicius Cantuaria, Marc Johnson (in "Bass Desires"),
Ronald Shannon Jackson and Melvin Gibbs (in "Power Tools"), Marianne Faithful, John Scofield, Jan
Garbarek, Lyle Mays, Vernon Reid, Julius Hemphill, Paul Bley, Wayne Horvitz, Hal Willner, Robin Holcomb,
Rinde Eckert, The Frankfurt Ballet, film director Gus Van Sant, David Sanborn, David Sylvian, Petra Haden
and numerous others, including Bono, Brian Eno, Jon Hassell and Daniel Lanois on the soundtrack for Wim
Wenders’ film Million Dollar Hotel.
This work has established Frisell as one of the most sought-after guitar voices in contemporary music. The
breadth of such performing and recording situations is a testament not only to his singular guitar conception, but
his musical versatility as well. This, however, is old news by now. In recent years, it is Frisell's role as
composer and band leader which has garnered him increasing notoriety.

Bill Frisell brings a rich palette of colors and textures to the ASC on Friday, November 5 at 7:30 PM in the 350 seat Sirote Theater. Tickets will go fast so get yours today at the box office. http://alysstephens.uab.edu/events/?id=81

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