Baritone Rod Gilfry, soon soloist in David Lang ‘the loser’

Music
by 
gilfry as ‘the narrator‘ in david lang’s ‘the loser’ soon at l.a. opera Ed. note: An interview with L.A. Opera guest singer Rod Gilfrey by Gary Murphy first published in the “Bravo” newsletter of the Opera League of Los Angeles.♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ After reprising his role as Mr. Potter in Jake Heggie’s opera adaptation ...

Vijay Iyer/Teju Cole ‘Blind Spot’ syncopates jazz, photography, text

Ideas & Opinion · Music
by 
The intriguing image above represents the visual component for “Blind Spot,” a much-anticipated live performance soon presented by CAP UCLA at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. The collaborative effort showcases two artists at the top of their respective fields: jazz pianist/composer Vijay Iyer  and writer/photographer Teju Cole. A familiar face on the covers of Downbeat ...

Fran at the Ace: fresh, frank … fraught!

Fashion · Ideas & Opinion
Of her many accolades and achievements, what we find most cool and enviable about essayist/raconteur Fran Lebowitz is Vanity Fair having named her as one of the most stylish women of the year. She obviously presents well, so she’ll fit right into Los Angeles at her upcoming “Fran Lebowitz in Conversation” event presented by the Center ...

Jason Moran, in a Monkish mood @ CAP UCLA

Music
by 
“The horn is blowing according to what the drummer is playing, you know?” –Thelonious Monk to Hall Overton, 1959 Thelonious Monk’s 1959 Town Hall concert was an artistic landmark and a personal triumph for the iconoclastic pianist and composer. His pieces, conceived for the small ensemble format, had been orchestrated for the evening by the ...

Corruption, extremism, politics, decadence. Washington D.C.? No, ‘Babylon Berlin’

Film
Berlin in the 1920s was a time when German arts, culture and sciences flourished with immense liberty. It was also a time of decadence. A new German-made television series, Babylon Berlin, features the full spectrum of Berlin life, fueled by drugs and music, corruption and politics, and murder and extremism. Sounds much like a day ...