Our most  popular and consistently successful events in the New Music Circle season are often the film/video collaborations with “live’ improvised music. This Saturday, 2/27, at 7:30pm,  N.M.C. will present a full program of the video work of Van McElwee (http://www.vanmcelwee.com/index.php) at Winifred Moore Auditorium on the campus of Webster University, 470 E. Lockwood Ave. – Co-sponsored by the Webster Film Series. Two of the works have been conceived in 3D (3D glasses available at the door).       “Live” music for the videos will be performed by Rich O’Donnell and the Semi-Acoustic Noise Ensemble (SANE).

Admission prices for this event only:
$6 Regular admission, $5 for Seniors, students, Webster alumni
$4 Webster U staff/faculty, $Free Webster U students with a valid ID

If the triumph of last year’s video/ “live” music showcase at Webster University is any indication of what might be in store, then you’ll certainly not want to miss this exciting, upcoming event.  For more in information on the artists, visit: http://newmusiccircle.org/

Two great concerts coming up soon!: On Saturday, February 13^th, at 7:30pm, at the Webster University Community Music School Concert Hall, 535 Garden Ave., on the Webster University campus, The New Music Circle will welcome multi-instrumentalist Douglas Ewart…….and on Monday, February 15^th, at 7:00pm, The Paul DeMarinis Sextet will present a concert of all original music at the Winifred Moore Auditorinm, also on the Webster U. campus.

Douglas Ewart is a Rennaissance man if there ever was one! For a full biography and list of all his skills and interests, visit the New Music Circle website: http://www.newmusiccircle.org, or his home page: http://indra.com/~jbarnett/ewart/biography.html, but for abreviated blogging purposes, a short list might include composer, improviser, sculptor and multiple instrument designer and maker. By the way, he aslo PLAYS these instruments…and REALLY WELL!

At this event, Ewart will be collaborating with virtuoso keyboardist and synthesist, James Hagarty; percussionist, Rashu Aten and poet, Shirley LeFlore (I have a personal weakness for her verse.)

As for the members of the Paul DeMarinis Sextet, I have known them and composed music for most of them at various times over the years, so I can say without hesitation…….THEY’RE TOPS! Members include: Debby Lennon-vocals, Paul DeMarinis-soprano and tenor saxophones and bass clarinet, Dave Black-guitars, Nick Schlueter- piano, Ben Wheeler-bass and Kyle Honeycutt-drums.

In order for any musician to comprehend and execute Paul’s broad based and intricate

compositions, that musician must be technically skilled and versatile: Debby has no problem rising to this level, Dave can produce any guitar sound you ask of him and apply his technique to a wide range of genres, Ben plays frequently with the bow, weaving in and out of the texture, Nick can play straight ahead, free or modal, and his comping is SO imaginative..and Kyle backs it all up with strength and subtlety.

But you need to see this whole group in action.

So get on out there and make it to both of these events. It’ll be a big weekend and a big Monday!