Pulse Jazz Composers – Darcy James Argue, Jamie Begian, Joseph C. Phillips Jr., JC Sanford, Joshua Shneider, Yumiko Sunami.
Sihr Halal
Music of Praise and Celebration

Ben Kono (flute, clarinet, shakuhachi, dizi, oboe, English Horn, soprano saxophone)
Steve Kenyon (clarinet, oboe, alto saxophone, bass clarinet)
Meg Okura (violin, erhu, voice)
William Martina (violoncello)
Jacob Garchik (laptop)
Yumi Kurosawa (koto)
Michael McCurdy (percussion)
Justin Ahiyon (percussion)

Sihr Halal features the premiere of six compositions that meld improvisation, contemporary classical and world music: a modern re-imagining of Western and non-Western musical traditions.

Pulse is a federation of award-winning composers who have joined forces to create and perform music that redraws traditional musical boundaries.

Pulse began in May 2004, when founder and Artistic Director Joseph C. Phillips Jr. assembled a group of composers — including Darcy James Argue, Jamie Begian, JC Sanford, Joshua Shneider, and Yumiko Sunami — who shared his commitment to music that defies categorization. Pulse combines influences from jazz, contemporary classical, and popular genres in a fluid, expressive, and engaging synthesis.

The Pulse Ensemble includes some of the finest musicians in New York City. Experienced in jazz, classical, rock, and world music, these players have also performed with Philip Glass, Charles Mingus, Alarm Will Sound, Gil Evans, Steve Reich, Wynton Marsalis, David Bowie, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Fred Hersch, Bill Evans, Joe Lovano, Maria Schneider, Dawn Upshaw, Terence Blanchard, Gamelan Dharma Swara, Paul Nash, John Abercrombie, Dave Douglas, and Michael Brecker.

Through regular concert performances and interdisciplinary projects, like our Eloquent Light series of music inspired by photography and our upcoming collaboration with a New York dance company, Pulse seeks to challenge and inspire. (Visit Pulse Blog for clips and interviews.)