Feinsmith Quartet with Special Guest Scott Amendola October 8, 2007

San-Francisco based Feinsmith Quartet, known for its powerful new sound with an ecstatic spiritual bent, appears in concert with special guest Scott Amendola. A super-group in the most complete sense of the term, Feinsmith Quartet features Jennifer Culp on cello, Michael Manring on bass, Gyan Riley on guitar, and Christopher Taylor on piano. Feinsmith Quartet performs original compositions by founder and artistic director Daniel David Feinsmith and guitarist Gyan Riley on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 7 pm at Kanbar Hall, Jewish Community Center.

The October 8 concert program presents Feinsmith Quartet performing Elokim (2006) and the world premiere of Havaya (2007) by Daniel David Feinsmith. Both Elokim and Havaya, composed for the Feinsmith Quartet, are spiritual works, their titles reflecting names of God in Hebrew in the Jewish tradition. Elokim is a work that exalts in the creative power of the Divine, and Havaya is a work of longing for a closeness to God. Feinsmith Quartet with special guest, drummer Scott Amendola, performs the premieres of new arrangements for Melismantra and The Changes Stay The Same (2006) by guitarist Gyan Riley, both improvisatory works with links to Hindustani Raga music.

Each member of Feinsmith Quartet has a well-earned reputation as a critically-acclaimed performer and recording artist. Cellist Jennifer Culp performed from 1998 to 2005 with Kronos Quartet, whose 2004 recording with Culp of Berg's Lyric Suite earned the group its first Grammy Award. Bassist Michael Manring is regarded as a technical virtuoso who uses the bass as a solo instrument and frequently takes advantage of unusual alternate tunings. Gyan Riley is a prominent figure of guitar and contemporary music, as well as a great composer, and has often performed with his father, composer Terry Riley. Pianist Christopher Taylor has been lauded by critics for his exquisite virtuostic renditions of Bach, romantic piano concertos, and adventurous musical programming.

$20 Member; $25 Public; $15 Student.

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