We sat down with Resident Artistic Director Bill Frisell this week as we celebrate the One-Year Anniversary of the Grand Opening of the SFJAZZ Center. In a candid interview, Frisell reflects on all the music and collaborations that came from his residencies at SFJAZZ ("seeds," as he calls them), the Opening Night Concert (Jan. 23, 2013) with Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Hutcherson, John Handy and many others, as well as the Bay Area and its unique audience.
Bill Frisell's final SFJAZZ Residency had an eventful start last night. The guitarist-composer's newest project Big Sur, an acoustic-electronic sketch of the picturesque California coastline, debuted in Miner Auditorium, and featured a string trio of Jenny Scheinman (violin), Eyvind Kang (viola), Hank Roberts (cello), anchored by drummer Rudy Royston.
About an hour into the set, the Center lost power, along with the greater Hayes Valley neighborhood! The backup lighting switched on immediately. Frisell ran back stage and grabbed his acoustic guitar, and performed an impromptu set the rest of the evening, completely acoustic. A long time SFJAZZ Member remarked this morning:
Bill Frisell's final SFJAZZ Residency had an eventful start last night. The guitarist-composer's newest project Big Sur, an acoustic-electronic sketch of the picturesque California coastline, debuted in Miner Auditorium, and featured a string trio of Jenny Scheinman (violin), Eyvind Kang (viola), Hank Roberts (cello), anchored by drummer Rudy Royston.
About an hour into the set, the Center lost power, along with the greater Hayes Valley neighborhood! The backup lighting switched on immediately. Frisell ran back stage and grabbed his acoustic guitar, and performed an impromptu set the rest of the evening, completely acoustic. A long time SFJAZZ Member remarked this morning:
"Last night was just out of sight great. The amplified portion was, as always, just superb but after the power outage the acoustic was way over the top. I heard so many comments in the audience to the positive. Thank everyone for taking what might have been a problem and making it a night to remember..."
Below are photos of Frisell's Big Sur Quintet, before and after the power outage. The power is back on at the Center! Frisell's final SFJAZZ Residency continues tonight with Guitar In The Space Age, featuring slide/steel guitarist Greg Leisz. On Saturday, Frisell gives a rare solo performance, before closing out Sunday with his New Trio, starring the sensational keyboardist Craig Taborn and long-time collaborator Kenny Wolleson on drums.
Bill Frisell's Big Sur Quinet
Big Sur
Post Power-Outage: Backup Lights and No Amplification!
For more information on Bill Frisell's final residency, visit sfjazz.org. For more videos, subscribe to the SFJAZZ YouTube Channel today!
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