**PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SPECIAL EVENT (not covered by GRJS annual passes)**
David Braid + Penderecki String Quartet
June 19, 2014 (Thursday)
Join the Grand River Jazz Society in a special Thursday performance featuring internationally renowned jazz pianist David Braid, paired with Waterloo’s very own Penderecki String Quartet (quartet in residence at Wilfrid Laurier University). The music features a contemporary work by Braid, inspired by the ancient Chauvet cave paintings in France. The music expresses a deeply nuanced and expressive interpretation of art created as many as 25,000 years ago, echoing timeless themes of creativity and what it means to be human.
David Braid
“A jazz genius to call our own” – Macleans’ Magazine
Combining harmonic intricacies fundamental to his training in European classical music and the spontaneity of American jazz, Braid’s original music engages audiences with a quiet, thoughtful, lyrical voice that does not conform neatly to any one musical genre. His work has been described as “refreshingly uncategorizable” (Paris Transatlantic), “wide-ranging, exploratory” (South China Morning Post), “une force poétique” (Le Soleil) and “elegant” (Ottawa Citizen).
Born in Hamilton Ontario, Braid graduated from the University of Toronto in 1998 and was nominated for the Canadian Governor General’s Academic Medal. Since that time, he has produced seven recordings, garnering four Juno nominations with five ensembles: The David Braid Sextet, Murley Braid Quartet, Brubeck Braid, Nimmons’n’Braid and Davidson/Murley/Braid Quintet (DMBQ).
Braid’s musical curiosity and open-mindedness has spawned unexpected collaborations with such diverse instrumentalists as Holland’s ZAPP String Quartet, Indian classical musician Vineet Vyas (tabla), China’s Chang Jing (guzheng), Nexus and the popular jazz/rock group, Metalwood. In a completely different setting, he has appeared as a soloist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Northumberland Orchestra performing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Pendercki String Quartet
“remarkable range of technical excellence and emotional sweep” – Globe and Mail.
Formed in 1986, the Penderecki String Quartet began their career as winners of the Penderecki Prize at the National Chamber Music Competition in Łódz , Poland. Now based in Waterloo, Ontario where they have been Quartet-in-Residence at Wilfrid Laurier University since 1991, The Penderecki String Quartet has become one of the most celebrated chamber ensembles of their generation.
In high demand the world over, the group has toured widely in Asia, Europe, and North America. The four Penderecki musicians (now originating from Poland, Canada, and USA) bring their varied yet collective experience to create compelling performances, some of which happen right here in our Region. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear five of Canada’s brightest musical stars on one evening’s program.
- David Braid – Piano
- Jeremy Bell – Violin
- Katie Schlaikjer – Cello
- Jerzy Kaplanek – Violin
- Christine Vlajk – Viola
