Long Play Festival 2024: Robert Black Tribute Concert – John Luther Adams' 'Darkness & Scattered Light'
$125 Sunday-only pass, $235-$350 3-day pass
- Gregg August, double bass
- Tristan Kasten-Krause, double bass
- John-Paul Norpoth, double bass
- Eleonore Oppenheim, double bass
- Will Yager, double bass
This past year our friend Robert Black passed away. One of the great bass players of our time and a founding member of the Bang on a Can All-Stars, he was a part of everything we did, from our first concert in 1987 until this year. No-one on the planet could make the double bass sing, dance, sound like a drum, spin like a top, like Robert Black. And no one dedicated his life to the new with as much invention, musicality and passion. We are all blessed to have been his friends.
Robert's last recording was John Luther Adams' Darkness and Scattered Light. This beautiful album overflows with JLA's monumental reflections on the vastness and majesty of the natural world. It was released after Robert died and went on to receive a Grammy nomination. The music on it has never before been performed before in its entirety – rich, sonic, deep, complete, and live. The concert will be performed by five bassists – all former students of Robert's and alumni of the Bang on a Can Summer Festival – and will be led by longtime Bang on a Can colleague Gregg August, including bassists Tristan Krausse, John-Paul Norpoth, Eleonore Oppenheim, Will Yager.
About Gregg August, double bass
About Tristan Kasten-Krause, double bass
About John-Paul Norpoth, double bass
About Eleonore Oppenheim, double bass
About Will Yager, double bass
Will Yager is a double bassist committed to experimental music, improvisation, and collaborating with other artists in the creation of new solo and chamber repertoire for the double bass. He is a founding member of both LIGAMENT, a duo with soprano Anika Kildegaard, and the experimental trio Wombat with Justin Comer and Carlos Cotallo Solares. Performance highlights include appearances the High Zero Festival, University of Iowa Center for New Music, Experimental Sound Studios' Quarantine Concerts, 2023 SEAMUS Convention, 2021 International Society of Bassists Convention, Open Air Media Festival, Oh My Ears Festival, MOXsonic, Big Ears Festival, Feed Me Weird Things, Nief-Norf Summer Festival, New Music on the Point, Cortona Sessions for New Music, and the Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival. In addition to his varied performing activities, Yager previously held teaching positions at Maryville College, the University of North Alabama, and is currently on faculty at the North Carolina Governor's School West. He is currently based in Baltimore, Maryland.
https://willyager.com/