Theo Bleckmann at Kuumbwa Jazz Center

Beyond being a vocalist of rare purity and daring, Theo Bleckmann is a sound painter who creates what JazzTimes has described aptly as “luminous webs” in music. An eclectic singer, in both influences and repertoire, Grammy-nominated Theo Bleckmann creates music that is emotional and sophisticated, yet playful and accessible. His albums contain bold concepts, from recordings of Las Vegas torch standards and bar favorites to his latest—a tribute to icon Kate Bush, similarly a dexterous and daring singer. Bleckmann’s collaborations range from jazz artists such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Ben Monder and John Hollenbeck, to avant-garde luminaries such as Meredith Monk, Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, and John Zorn—prompting The New York Times to dub him “a vocalist of inventive instinct and assiduous musicality.” His recordings have been listed amongst DownBeat and NPR best-of lists and his musicianship never fails to excite with new twists and turns....

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Beyond being a vocalist of rare purity and daring, Theo Bleckmann is a sound painter who creates what JazzTimes has described aptly as “luminous webs” in music. An eclectic singer, in both influences and repertoire, Grammy-nominated Theo Bleckmann creates music that is emotional and sophisticated, yet playful and accessible. His albums contain bold concepts, from recordings of Las Vegas torch standards and bar favorites to his latest—a tribute to icon Kate Bush, similarly a dexterous and daring singer. Bleckmann’s collaborations range from jazz artists such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Ben Monder and John Hollenbeck, to avant-garde luminaries such as Meredith Monk, Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, and John Zorn—prompting The New York Times to dub him “a vocalist of inventive instinct and assiduous musicality.” His recordings have been listed amongst DownBeat and NPR best-of lists and his musicianship never fails to excite with new twists and turns.

The German-born New Yorker – after appearing on two ECM albums by Meredith Monk and another by Julia Hülsmann – makes his striking label debut as a leader with his new release Elegy. This album showcases Bleckmann as a composer as much as a singer, with several instrumental pieces voiced by what he calls his “ambient” band of kindred-spirit guitarist Ben Monder, keyboardist Shai Maestro and the subtle rhythm team of Chris Tordini and John Hollenbeck. Highlights include Bleckmann’s sublime rendition of Stephen Sondheim’s “Comedy Tonight” (“tragedy tomorrow… comedy tonight”), as well as the mellifluous vocalise of “Elegy” and achingly poetic “To Be Shown to Monks at a Certain Temple.”
½ Price Night for Students. Tickets available at the door with valid I.D.

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