Ellen Christi Ensemble featuring Patricia Nicholson

Tuesday, October 22, 20248:00 pm

Ellen Christi’s Ensemble presents the premiere of Christi’s new work, Echoes of Passing Spirits. 

This group of master improvisers have performed together for over thirty years in trio, duos, and large ensembles. The performances are fluid, dynamic, and unpredictable, each improviser bringing their own methods: Ellen Christi‘s innovative approach to vocal music and her commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz and improvisation have made her a respected and influential figure in the avant-garde music community; a master improviser, Dave Burrell often uses complex harmonies and unconventional structures, making his performances unpredictable and engaging; c‘s choreography is characterized by its fluidity and expressiveness—she often explores themes of freedom, resistance, and community through her movements; improvisation is at the heart of Ken Filiano‘s musical approach, and he is known for his ability to seamlessly blend structure with spontaneity, making his performances dynamic and unpredictable; Michael T.A. Thompson is known for his versatile percussion technique, employing a wide range of traditional and unconventional methods that incorporate complex rhythms, polyrhythms, and intricate textures.

Ellen Christi vocals
Dave Burrell piano
Ken Filiano bass
Michael T.A. Thompson drums
Patricia Nicholson dance and spoken word

A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing. Watch below or on YouTube.


Since the mid-seventies, Ellen Christi has steadily gained ground as an important contributor to American improvised music and contemporary jazz. As a composer/vocalist, Christi has worked in varying performance venues ranging from multi-media theatrical productions to solo vocal concerts. She has also been an active advocate in supporting innovative performing artists through organizations that she has co-founded or directed. Christi came to New York in the nascent period of the downtown loft scene. Jimmy Hopp was a positive catalyst introducing her to a musicians’ collective at 501 Canal Street. And it was there that she lived and performed for many years with Tom Bruno, Ray Anderson, David Ware, Dave Burrell, and Coopermore. She was one of the co-founders of the nonprofit organization, New York City Artists’ Collective, as well as Network Records, an independent record label promoting contemporary jazz music. She has worked with like likes of Tom Bruno, Ray Anderson, Mark Dresser, Andrew Cyrille, Reggie Workman, Rashid Ali, Tony Scott, Ed Blackwell, William Parker, Lisa Sokolov, Jeanne Lee, Kenny Wheeler, Steve McCall, Rahn Burton, Roy Campbell, Lawrence “Butch” Morris, Hans Koch and many others.

 

Ellen Christi Ensemble featuring Patricia Nicholson

Tuesday, October 22, 20248:00 pm

Ellen Christi’s Ensemble presents the premiere of Christi’s new work, Echoes of Passing Spirits. 

This group of master improvisers have performed together for over thirty years in trio, duos, and large ensembles. The performances are fluid, dynamic, and unpredictable, each improviser bringing their own methods: Ellen Christi‘s innovative approach to vocal music and her commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz and improvisation have made her a respected and influential figure in the avant-garde music community; a master improviser, Dave Burrell often uses complex harmonies and unconventional structures, making his performances unpredictable and engaging; c‘s choreography is characterized by its fluidity and expressiveness—she often explores themes of freedom, resistance, and community through her movements; improvisation is at the heart of Ken Filiano‘s musical approach, and he is known for his ability to seamlessly blend structure with spontaneity, making his performances dynamic and unpredictable; Michael T.A. Thompson is known for his versatile percussion technique, employing a wide range of traditional and unconventional methods that incorporate complex rhythms, polyrhythms, and intricate textures.

Ellen Christi vocals
Dave Burrell piano
Ken Filiano bass
Michael T.A. Thompson drums
Patricia Nicholson dance and spoken word

A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing. Watch below or on YouTube.


Since the mid-seventies, Ellen Christi has steadily gained ground as an important contributor to American improvised music and contemporary jazz. As a composer/vocalist, Christi has worked in varying performance venues ranging from multi-media theatrical productions to solo vocal concerts. She has also been an active advocate in supporting innovative performing artists through organizations that she has co-founded or directed. Christi came to New York in the nascent period of the downtown loft scene. Jimmy Hopp was a positive catalyst introducing her to a musicians’ collective at 501 Canal Street. And it was there that she lived and performed for many years with Tom Bruno, Ray Anderson, David Ware, Dave Burrell, and Coopermore. She was one of the co-founders of the nonprofit organization, New York City Artists’ Collective, as well as Network Records, an independent record label promoting contemporary jazz music. She has worked with like likes of Tom Bruno, Ray Anderson, Mark Dresser, Andrew Cyrille, Reggie Workman, Rashid Ali, Tony Scott, Ed Blackwell, William Parker, Lisa Sokolov, Jeanne Lee, Kenny Wheeler, Steve McCall, Rahn Burton, Roy Campbell, Lawrence “Butch” Morris, Hans Koch and many others.

 

Ellen Christi at Roulette (audio)

 

Photo 1: Peter Gannushkin