Evento

THOLLEM MCDONAS IN CONCERT AT KALA

American, post classical pianist Thollem McDonas in 2008 was invited to perform the late works of Claude Debussy on the piano on which they were written on, as well as his own comprovisations, accompanied by world renown contrabassist Stefano Scodanibbio. The resulting album, On Debussy's Piano And...,released in 2010, is the first album ever recorded on Debussy's piano.
On Sunday, December 9, Thollem McDonas performs at KALA, in concert with Paul Hoskin reeds (formally of Astoria, Hoskin ran the successful Creative Music Series through AVA), Gregg Skloff string bass (Astoria-based, Skloff has recorded with McDonas), and Portland-based Christopher Johnedis - on drums.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, McDonas began study of keyboard repertoire at an early age, studying with many notable teachers; including Aiko Onishi, Allen Strange, and Lou Harrison. After graduatingwith degrees in both piano performance and composition he dedicatedhis time for years in grassroots political movements and ecological restorationprojects before coming back to music with his full focus.
He is currentlytouring perpetually, back and forth between Europe and the States, mostly asa soloist but also in collaboration with many other individuals and groups.Thollem's travels as a performer and teacher have covered much of the NorthAmerican continent and Europe (he often leads listening and groupimprovisation workshops as well as master-classes). He has performedextensively as a soloist as well with groups. He is a founding member ofseveral innovative ensembles.
Since his last performance in Astoria in 2005, pianist Thollem McDonas has been traveling perpetually as a soloist and also as a collaborator with artists Pauline Oliveros, Nels Cline, William Parker, Mike Watt, and the late Italian master contrabassist Stefano Scodanibbio among many more. His music contains nuances and collisions from his studies of 350 years of keyboard musics, Gamelan, West African Drumming, Persian, Karnatac, Chinese, punk and Native American musics and those found in the ever-changing environments he experiences.

About his work, Terry Riley notes that Thollem "inhabits a world uniquely his own, rhythmically, harmonically and formally. A true original."

Performance: 7:30pm, doors open at 7pm. $10. Advance tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com, and at the door.