BILLY CHILDS’ JAZZ/CHAMBER CONCERT
The Broad Stage
1310 11th St. (entrance on Santa Monica Blvd between 10th & 11th)
Santa Monica, CA 90401
SAT, November 11, 2018 – 9:00pm
Pianist-composer, five-time Grammy® Award-winner Billy Childs comes to The Broad Stage in Santa Monica for a very special concert with his Jazz/Chamber Ensemble. This show will feature guest vocalist Judith Hill (Michael Jackson, “20 Feet From Stardom”, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Josh Groban), the Lyris Quartet, and recitation of poetry by actor Wren Brown.
Billy Childs – piano, composer
Larry Koonse – guitar
Carol Robbins – harp
Josh Johnson- alto & soprano sax
Pamela Vliek Martchev – flute
Alex Boneham – bass
Marvin “Smitty” Smith – drums
Judith Hill – guest vocals (click HERE to see a great video clip of her)
Jimmy Traum – guest vocals
Wren Brown – recitation of poetry
Lyris Quartet:
Sarah Thornblade – violin
Alyssa Park – violin
Shalini Vijayan – violin
Luke Maurer – viola
Timothy Loo – cello
The concert combines a dramatic & theatrical presentation of music & spoken word and will include a number of instrumental jazz/chamber compositions and more.
The Jazz/Chamber ensemble is the logical continuation of Billy Childs’ musical work from his career . . . an organic blend of disparate genres of music – in this case, Jazz & European Classical music. This is done through the prism of chamber music. Billy has released two recordings of this music: Lyric, Vol. 1 and Autumn: In Moving Pictures, Vol. 2. Combined, these recordings have garnered 5 Grammy nominations and 3 wins. The orchestration consists of 10 instruments, 8 of which are string instruments, giving the group a unique and impressionistic sonic palette.
Fascinated with the dramatic power of the spoken word, especially poetry, Billy combines these disciplines into an organic whole that is quite satisfying. The subjects of the poetry are dramatically set to music, and range from racial exclusion, the need for love and forgiveness, sensuality, and urban alienation. Billy’s last Jazz/Chamber concert was a big success, and he is very excited to perform at The Broad Stage for two nights. With the combination of instrumental music, singing, and poetry this event promises to be a concert for the ages. Don’t miss it. www.billychilds.com
Pick up the CD here: billychilds.com/store