"An intense and virtuosic keyboardist” (TimeOut, NY), “Thollem creates a spectacular tapestry of different colored sounds reflecting his awareness, study and assimilation of countless influences” (Joan Jeanrenaud, Composer, Cellist, Kronos Quartet 1978-98). “He’s absolutely mesmerizing... unleashing cascades of notes of seemingly impossible velocity and no matter where he goes tonally, it always seems right, fresh and satisfying” (Terry Riley). "Thollem is a modern griot who has absorbed sounds from every place he has visited.” (William Parker), “…bringing wide-ranging expression and invention to everything his restless, nomadic existence comes into contact with. Thollem’s maverick essence is magically evident.” (Nels Cline)
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Thollem was exposed to the music of an incredible array of communities that influenced his development as a musician and person including cultures with roots from East Africa, Japan, China, Persia, Latin America, Ireland, Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia and The Balkans, as well as Jazz, Blues, Punk, Country, alongside his classical piano training and the Avant Garde. He has spent much of his adult life touring throughout N. America and Europe. Electric Confluence integrates the myriad musical sounds and approaches he continues to experience and study.
www.thollem.com/electricconfluence
Lisa Dewey & John Testani
Lisa Dewey, San Francisco Bay Area based artist and owner of the indie label Kitchen Whore Records, began playing live shows in 1990 and has since released four full-length albums, two EP's and a book. After playing solo for a few years, she formed a band to complete her ethereal pop sound. Lisa's songs usually start out as folk songs, and then the band adds drums, bass and heavy melodic lead guitar to transform the songs into floaty pop. The band, The Lotus Life, features John Testani on drums, Paul Zimmerman on bass and Keith St. Thomas on lead guitar. Lisa Dewey & John Testani often play duo shows and John plays drums and sings backup vocals with Lisa. www.lisadewey.com
Cost: $10
Videos featuring musicians playing at this event
Pauline Oliveros, Susie Ibarra and Thollem McDonas at The Stone, NY, NY Aug. 21, 2012