Eun Lee (clarinetist and founder of The Dream Unfinished) joins composer/pianist Courtney Bryan to discuss the impact of the classical canon on Nina Simone’s sound. Following the short discussion, Courtney Bryan will perform an all Nina Simone set. Part of The Dream Unfinished’s Chamber Concert Series, preceding our main event Sing Her Name on July 12th, 2016 at The Great Hall at Cooper Union.
Courtney Bryan New Orleans native Courtney Bryan is “a pianist and composer of panoramic interests” (New York Times). Her music ranges is in conversation with various musical genres, including jazz and other types of experimental music, as well as traditional gospel, spirituals, and hymns. She performs around the New York area, and is the Director of the Institute of Sacred Music at Bethany Baptist Church of Newark, NJ. Dr. Bryan has academic degrees from Oberlin Conservatory (BM), Rutgers University (MM), and Columbia University (DMA) and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University and will begin her position as Assistant Professor of Music at Tulane University’s Newcomb Department of Music beginning in Fall 2016. She has two independent recordings, “Quest for Freedom” (2007) and “This Little Light of Mine” (2010). Frequent collaborators include Brandee Younger and Vijay Iyer, and Bryan’s work has been presented in a wide range of venues, including Lincoln Center, the Met Breuer, Roulette Intermedium, National Gallery of Art, Blue Note Jazz Club, Jazz Gallery, and Bethany and Abyssinian Baptist Churches. Learn more at www.courtneybryan.com
Performing:
Courtney Bryan / Piano
The Dream Unfinished: Nina Simone and the Classical Canon at Terraza 7 on Sunday July 10th at 7:00 pm
$10 cover charge for mezzanine. FREE admission for CHILDREN 12 and under.