2012 Festival
Matt Haimovitz and Uccello - www.matthaimovitz.com Matt Hamovitz is Professor of Cello at McGill University in Montreal where he founded his cello octet Uccello which performs jazz classics in original arrangements by Rome Prize-winning composer David Sanford. In their recording Meeting of Spirits the cellos wail, slide, and swing in an all-new big band sound - joined by dazzling musical contributions from guitar legend John McLaughlin, percussionist Matt Wilson and Jan Jarczyck on keyboards - in works by Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu), Miles Davis, Billy Strayhorn and other jazz greats.
Dave Eggar & “Deoro” Trio - www.daveeggarmusic.com Dave’s mission to “not just cross over, but to cross through” multiple genres of music is apparent in all of his releases. Whether it’s classical, reggae, bluegrass, jazz, pop, or world music, Eggar finds a common voice within his musical vocabulary and introduces it with his own unique imaginative vision.
Kelly Ellis & “Ancient Device” - http://ancientdevice.com From NW Arkansas, this trio is comprised of brothers Kelly (cello and voice) and Riley (bass) Ellis plus drummer Adam Parker. They have worked with Victor Wooten who helped them record and produce their album “Louder Than Words.”
Matt Turner http://improvcellist.com Regarded as one of the leading improvising cellists, Turner performs everything from 20th century new music to alternative rock and improvised avant-garde. He studied with Dave Holland, Gerri Allen and Joe Maneri and has performed at JVC Jazz Festival, Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival.
Portland based cellist, singer and songwriter Ashia Grzesik - http://ashiagrzesik.com creates songs with elements of cabaret, folk, pop, and dark Americana. Using the name Ashia and the Bison Rouge for her solo gigs, her songs and writing reflect longing for her Slavic roots with Chopineasque and gypsy musings and the blues, rock, and open harmonies of the New World, as well as classical infused Chamber Pop.
You can find out more about and see pictures of individual past festivals by clicking on them below. --Chris White
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2000 - 2002 | 2003 - 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |2011
New Directions Cello Festivals History and Mission
History and Mission
Since 1995, the New Directions Cello Festival has provided a forum for the exchange of music and ideas in the field of nonclassical and alternative cello.
We strive to embrace all styles of music not commonly taught at music schools, especially those that incorporate improvisation.
Since our first festival in New York City's Knitting Factory (1995), our annual festival has presented a veritable who's who of nonclassical cello in New York City, Boston, Connecticut, Wisconsin, California and now in Ithaca New York. Some of the cellists who have graced our stages include; David Darling, Eugene Friesen, David Baker, Mark Summer, Jami Sieber, Vincent Courtois, Stephen Katz, Ernst Reijseger, David Eyges, Akua Dixon, Jeffrey McFarland-Johnson, Rufus Cappodocia, Jane Scarpantoni, Chris White, Erik Friedlander, Dawn Avery and Robert Een.
Erik Friedlander
