For the final performance of her Roulette artist residency, cellist + composer Tomeka Reid presents a series of compositions for seven-piece string ensemble with drums. Inspired by her mother’s drawings and a childhood spent at Washington, DC, the program contains many several musical vignettes, each accompanied by one of Reid’s mother’s drawings.

Tomas Fujiwara, drums
Sarah Bernstein, violin
Mazz Swift, violin
Jason Hwang, violin
Christopher Hoffman, cello
Melanie Dyer, viola
Adam Hopkins, bass
Tomeka Reid, cello

Over the last decade Tomeka Reid has emerged as one of the most original, versatile, and curious musicians in the Chicago’s bustling jazz and improvised music community. Her distinctive melodic sensibility, usually braided to a strong sense of groove, has been featured in many distinguished ensembles over the years. She is a key member of ensembles led by legendary reedists such as Anthony Braxton and Roscoe Mitchell, as well as a younger generation of visionaries including flutist Nicole Mitchell, singer Dee Alexander, and drummer Mike Reed. She’s also a founding member of the adventurous string trio called Hear in Now.

This performance is part of a series supported, in part, with funds from GENERATE: The Frances Richard Fund for Innovative Artists of Promise. Instituted in 2014, GENERATE aims to provide immediate, practical assistance to artists, helping them achieve ambitious work to be presented in our theater. Click here for more information about how you can contribute to GENERATE.

Tomeka Reid Large Ensemble is made possible, in part, by the Jerome Foundation.

The Jerome Foundation, a long-time supporter of new works, was a mainstay in Roulette’s early development. Its steadfast support for more than 30 years enables us to continue to present exciting, ambitious compositions by promising emerging artists. Each year, the Jerome Foundation supports five artist residencies and four commissions at Roulette.