MICHIYO YAGI & ELLIOTT SHARP

Wed 19 May, 2004, 8pm
Lower East Side

One of the most versatile masters of the koto, Michiyo Yagi has performed in rock bands, jazz groups, movie soundtracks, classical ensembles, noise improvisations and of course Japanese traditional and folk groups. Using both orthodox and unorthodox techniques, she takes the koto to an exciting new world incorporating influences from traditional Japanese and Korean music as well as the American maverick tradition of Partch, Cage, Nancarrow and Terry Riley.

She will perform with composer and sonic innovator Elliott Sharp, considered one of the founders of the “Downtown” scene and who has collaborated with an extraordinary range of musicians: from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to the Radio Symphony of Frankfurt, blues legend Hubert Sumlin to junglist DJ Soulslinger.