Duo Jalal October 9, 2010

CONCERT - $16 Advance/$20 Door, 8:00 pm

Acclaimed chamber musicians, violist Kathryn Lockwood and percussionist Yousif Sheronick perform together as duoJalal, dazzling audiences around the world with their artistry and synergy. Known for their work with LARK Chamber Artists and Ethos Percussion Group, duoJalal explores musical traditions that cross the globe. The true depth of their virtuosity and musical versatility is revealed as they weave classical and world traditions into western chamber music sensibilities. Recent performances include venues and festivals throughout the US and Australia.

This remarkable blend of melody and rhythm creates a musical conversation unlike any other. The viola is augmented with the sounds of the durbakeh (goblet drum) and riq (tambourine) from the Middle East, the West African djembe, and numerous frame drums from around the globe. From Philip Glass, to Derek Bermel to John Patitucci, composers are eager to contribute to duoJalal’s repertoire as their view of the musical world is all-encompassing. duoJalal’s name is inspired by the 13th century poet Jalal Rumi, whose visions, words, and life teach the world how to reach inner peace and happiness and that people of all religions and backgrounds can live together in peace and harmony.

Kathryn Lockwood has been hailed as a violist of exceptional talents in reviews around the country. The Cleveland Plain Dealer proclaimed, "...Lockwood played the vociferous viola cadenza with mahogany beauty and vivid character." 2005 marked the release of Kathryn's solo recital CD of Viola Music by Inessa Zaretsky, "Fireoptics", which Strad declared "Lockwood is absolutely inside the music's idiom finding appropriate tonal shadings". In addition to touring and recording with the Lark Quartet, Kathryn Lockwood performs with numerous other prestigious groups including Trio Solisti, Triple Helix, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the Muir Quartet. Kathryn moved from her homeland of Australia to the United States in 1991 only to capture some of the most sought-after awards in the country including the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, Grand Prize at the Coleman Chamber Music Competition, Concert Artists Guild Management Award, and awards at solo competitions such as the Primrose Competition, Washington International Competition, and the Pasadena Instrumental Competition.

Before relocating to New York in 2001 Kathryn held the position of violist of the Pacifica Quartet since its inception. As an original member of Pacifica Quartet, Kathryn was heard live on National Public Radio's "Performance Today" and on the stages of Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Ravinia's Bennett Gordon Hall, Corcoran Gallery, St. Lawrence Center, and University of Thessaloniki /Greece. Kathryn collaborated with violist Michael Tree on an all Dvorak CD and composer Easley Blackwood on recordings released by Cedille Records. Kathryn performs regularly with Russian born pianist and composer, Inessa Zaretsky, with whom she has recorded Zaretsky's "Fireoptics" on Bribie Recordings. Collaborations include such artists as Cho-Liang Lin, Judith Ingolfsson, Branford Marsalis, St. Lawrence Quartet, and the Bill T Jones Dance Company. Currently on faculty at University of Massachusetts/Amherst, Rutgers University in NJ, the Concordia Conservatory in Bronxville NY and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Kathryn was previously on the faculty at Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Interlochen Academy, Music Institute of Chicago, and National Music Camp in Australia. Kathryn earned her Master's Degree with Donald McInnes at the University of Southern California, and her Bachelor of Music Degree from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with Elizabeth Morgan.

Hailed by the New York Times for his “dazzling improvisations” YOUSIF SHERONICK appears internationally as soloist and chamber musician with world-renowned groups and artists such as Philip Glass, Ethos Percussion Group, Glen Velez, Foday Musa Suso, Simon Shaheen, Henry Threadgill, Lark Chamber Artists and Paul Winter Consort. duoJalal is his most recent venture with violist and wife Kathryn Lockwood. Sheronick's unique style encompasses traditions and instruments from the Middle East, North and West Africa, Brazil, India, and Europe. His ability to work in such diverse genres is due to having studied contemporary classical, jazz, world and rock music, which he seamlessly fuses into his playing. Critics say Yousif “is capable of creating hypnotic atmospheres” (Mundoclasico) where he "transported the listener to another dimension." (Ritmic). Prestigious venue performances include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Royal Festival Hall (London) and Wigmore Hall (London). Distinguished collaborators include Yo-Yo Ma, Branford Marsalis, Pandit Samir Chatterjee, Marcel Khalife, Sonny Fortune and Cindy Blackman.

Mr. Sheronick recently released his critically acclaimed solo CD titled "Silk Thread" which Modern Drummer Magazine calls “a testimony to his genius”. He also released a Riq Instructional DVD which Rhythm Magazine (UK) says “is a must to uncover the mysteries of this ancient instrument.” He has appeared throughout the US, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia with festival appearances including the JVC and Newport Jazz Festivals, Jazztel (Madrid), Renaissance Festival (Rethymno, Greece) Early Music Festival (Regensburg, Germany) and Jerusalem Festival (Palestine). He has performed live on NPR's "Performance Today" and John Schaffer's "New Sounds." An active clinician, Mr. Sheronick teaches masterclasses at home in the US and abroad. Mr. Sheronick holds degrees from Yale University and the University of Iowa, is artist in residence with Ethos Percussion Group at Lehman College (Bronx, NY) and serves on the faculty of Concordia Conservatory.

www.duojalal.org

Official Website: http://www.psalmsalon.com