Friday, August 19, 2016

Cynthia Hilts & Lyric Fury CD release party at Gillespie Auditorium, Aug. 23

 Join us as we welcome Cynthia Hilts & Lyric Fury to celebrate the pre-release of their first CD, on Tuesday evening, August 23, at "Jazz Tuesdays" in the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium, in the New York city Baha'i Center at 53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway.) There will be 2 shows:  8:00 and 9:30 pm.

Admission is $15.00, $10.00 for students.  Tickets will be sold at the door, or call 212-222-5159 for advanced ticket sales and information. You can also purchase tickets in advance online at http://cynthiahilts.com/lyric-fury/lyric-fury-cd-pre-release-party-tickets/.

LYRIC FURY is the eight-piece brainchild of composer/pianist/vocalist Cynthia Hilts. It's quite a line-up: Cynthia Hilts - composer/piano/voice, Jack Walrath - trumpet, Lisa Parrott - baritone and soprano sax, Lily White - tenor and alto sax, Leigh Stuart - cello, Ratzo Harris - bass, and Scott Neumann - drums. They'll be performing music from their new eponymous cd, as well as a few other works.

Hilts founded Lyric Fury in 1996. Among her myriad compositions, were a collection of pieces that demanded a very specific setting - old school nuance and serious ensemble playing, with some very new school musical ideas.  Lyric Fury, the dream chamber jazz band, was conceived. Luckily, the universe of New York jazz musicians provided. The repertoire uses subtle tone, dynamics and phrasing. It requires musicians who can handle the counterpoint, the deep swing, and the lyricism. They must be unique soloists, comfortable with the breadth and furious imaginings of Hilts's muse. And they must be dedicated to making great music. The result has been likened to a celestial collision of Debussy and Mingus.

The members of Lyric Fury are all bandleaders, composers and innovators in their own right: Cynthia Hilts - leader & founder, award-winning composer, incandescent pianist & vocalist, recording artist, teacher; Jack Walrath - legendary trumpetist, prolific recording artist, award-winning composer, jazz clinician, author; Lisa Parrott - award-winning soprano & baritone saxophonist, renowned big band mainstay, bandleader, recording artist; Lily White - jazz's sunniest alto & tenor saxophonist, award-winning composer, recording artist, bandleader, author, teacher; Deborah Weisz - multi-faceted trombonist, award-winning composer, bandleader, professor, jazz clinician; Leigh Stuart - genre-busting cellist, recording artist, international performer of all styles; Ratzo Harris - virtuoso bassist, jazz educator, bandleader, composer, jazz historian, recording artist; Scott Neumann - extraordinarily sensitive drummer, versatile recording artist, veteran of Broadway, film and TV soundtracks. Their commitment makes the possibility of an actual working ensemble of such depth possible.

At long last, Lyric Fury has recorded their first CD. This concert is the pre-release showcase. CD's will be available for sale.
Jazz Tuesdays
in the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium
The New York Baha'i Center
53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway)

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