CartJAN 23–26 | SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director Laurie Anderson
Jan 25, 2020
Miner Auditorium
PLEASE NOTE:
This page is an archive of a past production
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Original show description below.
This night brings an exploration of vocal styles, as Anderson is joined by singer and composer Mike Patton.
Defined by the All Music Guide as “a complete and utter musical visionary and a mind-blowing and standard-warping genius,” Patton founded the experimental metal band Mr. Bungle and has fronted the Bay Area-based rock stalwarts Faith No More for three decades, while navigating the outer fringes of avant-garde and improvised music. He has collaborated extensively with maverick composer John Zorn and fronted a number of eclectic band projects including Mondo Cane, Fantômas, Tomahawk, and Dillinger Escape Plan.
One of America’s most renowned and daring creative pioneers, Laurie Anderson is best known for her music, multimedia presentations and innovative use of technology. As writer, director, visual artist and vocalist she has created a series of groundbreaking works that span the worlds of art, theater, and experimental music. Introduced to mainstream pop culture through the single “O Superman” from her 1981 debut album Big Science and large-scale theater piece United States, Anderson released a procession of albums including Mister Heartbreak, Strange Angels, Bright Red, Life on a String, and Homeland, among others, and has collaborated with artists including Brian Eno, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Philip Glass, John Zorn, William S. Burroughs, Spalding Gray, Christian McBride, Bobby McFerrin, and the Kronos Quartet. She continues to produce new touring productions combining her music and visual art that range from simple spoken word to elaborate multimedia stage performances, and she directed the 2015 documentary film Heart of a Dog, which received an Independent Spirit Awards nomination.
The pair will focus on the text from “Quanjing Jieyao Pian,” the final chapter of Jixiao Xinshu – the famous military manual written in the 16th century by Ming dynasty general and Chinese national hero Qi Jiguang. The chapter, which translates to “The Fist Canon and the Essentials of Nimbleness,” concerns the subject of unarmed combat exercises as physical training, and is the first known written document of martial arts instruction. The text, written in verse, is oddly poetic considering its pragmatic nature, and is fertile ground for creativity for these two modern music figures.
The mad genius of Mike Patton, a.k.a. "Hardcore Pavarotti", with his immense vocal range and penchant for perplexing artistic expression. He may be too much to handle sometimes, but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the man an icon.
Pitchfork
The mad genius of Mike Patton, a.k.a. "Hardcore Pavarotti", with his immense vocal range and penchant for perplexing artistic expression. He may be too much to handle sometimes, but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the man an icon.
Pitchfork
Personnel
Laurie Anderson vocals, keyboards, & violin
Mike Patton vocals
Laurie Anderson [has] made some of the most interesting art of the late 20th century.
Wired
Personnel
Laurie Anderson vocals, keyboards, & violin
Mike Patton vocals
Laurie Anderson [has] made some of the most interesting art of the late 20th century.
Wired
Watch & Listen
Laurie Anderson
Night in Baghdad
Mike Patton
Elettricita Atmostpheriche Candite
Laurie Anderson
Night in Baghdad
Mike Patton
Elettricita Atmostpheriche Candite
JAN 23–26 | SFJAZZ RESIDENT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR LAURIE ANDERSON
JAN 23
JAN 24
JAN 26
SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director
LAURIE ANDERSON: SOLO