Friday, February 28
Safe Harbors’ Lobby at the Ritz
107 Broadway, Newburgh
8 pm

Join us as we welcome pianist and composer, Neil Alexander, for a special closing show of Piano Transformations. This is a live music project presented in the format of a solo piano concert, in which the sound of the piano is captured, digitized and subsequently enhanced, ‘transforming’ the sound of the piano into ambient soundscapes or rhythmic impulses. The project features a suite of 8 new improvisationally based ‘vignettes’, each of which utilizes a different processing technique coupled with specific musical style. The music and processing were created simultaneously and the piano and processing interact in different ways, creating ambient or rhythmic sounds and aural textures that enhance or contrast the original piano sound. The result is an electronic variation of “prepared piano”, where the sound of the piano is altered by external means.

The Grand Piano’s long and storied history includes variations on keyboard and case design, tone production and even instruments that play themselves (Player Pianos). The prepared piano concept (in which the sound is altered by placing physical objects such as screws, felts and bits of rubber) was first introduced by composer John Cage around 1940. For the most part these variations have been purely acoustic in nature. Meanwhile, advancements in electric and electronic music have continued to move forward at an almost dizzying pace – from electric organs, guitars and synthesizers to more complex techniques for altering and manipulating audio, including hardware and software. “My goal with Piano Transformations” says composer & pianist Neil Alexander, “is to explore new musical directions by bringing the traditional acoustic piano into the world of electronic signal processing.

In a career spanning more than 4 decades pianist, synthesist and composer Neil “Nail” Alexander has made his mark on the international music scene, touring the US, Europe, Mexico and Canada. He has performed with artists such as The Mahavishnu Project, Joe Lovano, Marty Balin, Corey Glover, Carmen Moore, Pee Wee Ellis, and many others. With his world fusion ensemble “NAIL” and his contemporary chamber group “X Ensemble” Neil seeks out those places where different musical styles intersect, combining musical styles such as Jazz, Electronica, Minimalist and Ambient with Asian, African and Contemporary Western Classical, always searching for new avenues of musical expression. For more info visit www.nailmusic.com.

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.