In past shows, I have often utilized very large ensembles. For this show, I wanted to showcase the incredible individuals that have been the absolute core to my music-making and have inspired me to be a composer. I have also recently been performing a lot more with chamber ensembles and it has excited me a great deal to see and hear the personalities of each player so well.
Instrumentation will be –
Paris Hurley – Violin
Alina To – Violin
Alex Guy – Viola
Maria Scherer Wilson – Cello
Scott Teske – Upright Bass
Beth Fleenor – Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
Korum Bischoff – Percussion
and I will be playing a variety of instruments as well.
The biggest night in music is almost here! Come be completely inspired by the talent, passion and risk-taking of 16 adorable students as they rock their favorite songs accompanied by Jherek Bischoff, Johnny Bregar Music, Kristen Ferguson, and Drew Holloway on the stage at Bainbridge Performing Arts. FREE and GREAT FOR FAMILIES who don’t mind a little noise! Seriously, you won’t regret it!
Saturday, April 26
7:00 p.m.
Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Avenue North
Most of you know that my brother is becoming a big deal in the music biz. In fact, he has backed many of you or your kids at Conundrum at some point. Or maybe you backed his Kickstarter campaign for the big show in NYC last year with David Byrne.
There are still some seats left. I thought you might be interested in hearing what he has been up to, seeing me play non-kids music, or have an interest in quality music performances without having to cross the water. The music is chamber-oriented, and while appropriate for kids, might not exactly keep them excited. So, if you have older or really patient kids, bring them. Or have a night out on the town without them!
The show is this Friday at 7:30. $20.
Called a “pop polymath” by The New York Times and a “Seattle phenom” by The New Yorker, Jherek Bischoff returns to his hometown of Bainbridge Island for the first time since the release of his acclaimed orchestral record “Composed” (Feat. David Byrne, Caetano Veloso and more).
The Bainbridge concert will feature some of Jherek’s dearest friends and collaborators, many of whom played on his record. A string quartet, clarinet, and percussion will accompany his performance on bass, ukulele and vocals. Assured that it will be an intimate and exciting concert, Jherek says, “These folks know my music inside and out and play it beautifully!”
Jherek’s BPA appearance will include a mixture of tunes from his record “Composed” as well as music that he was commissioned to write by Lincoln Center for the Kronos Quartet, and some ambient chamber music he composed last year.
Excited to be back on the Island performing in his home town, Jherek says, “I’ve had some pretty cool national press lately including a profile piece on Terry Gross’ Fresh Air on NPR. Since then, a bunch of old friends have been reaching out and I’ve had a strong desire to return and give friends, family and the community a chance to hear in person what I have been doing all over the world.”
Check it out: Jherek is thrilled to join the Kronos Quartet in a performance (of his commissioned work) at the Lincoln Center on July 28 as part of their Out of Doors festival. Watch this video to learn how Jherek’s Island background helped shape him and his music, and listen to his interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air here. Visit Jherek online.
Holy cow! Am I the luckiest drum instructor or what?! Conundrum 2013 went off without a hitch. My talented, hard-working and brave students amazed friends and family in our annual recital-turned-rock concert. Every student inspired and engaged the audience. A few highlights for me were having my very shy 4-year-old son join his older brother on tambourine for Weezer’s “Undone” and having Dave Dederer of Presidents of the United States of America join two of my students on PUSA classics “Peaches” and “Lump.” At the end of the show, Dave sneaked up and asked if I’d like to do “Lump” one more time but with me on drums… how could I say “no”?! Ended the night fulfilling a college-aged dream! I’m exhausted, but looking forward to Conundrum 2014! See you there.
It’s almost here! Students are putting the finishing touches on their songs, special guests are being lined up, and posters are at the printer… Conundrum 2013 is just over 2 weeks away!
As usual, your ears will be treated to a wide assortment of songs ranging from a hit by Foreigner to intense drum features by Foo Fighters. Your eyes will be treated to supreme cuteness as kids as young as seven take the stage to rock the house. And your brain will be treated to the wonders of what these kids can pull off!
This year we’ll be making a return to the Island Music Guild at Rolling Bay. We loved last year’s venue, but it was just too small. Everyone is invited to this free showcase which will start at 7:00pm. See you there!
I wanted to let you know about a show coming up this Saturday, December 1 at the Moore Theatre. I’ll be in the percussion section (along with my dad and my son) in a concert featuring the music of my brother, Jherek, played by a 50 person orchestra along with very talented guest singers. Yyou might be interested because Jherek has been there for many of you in the past, backing your kid up at Conundrum. This would be an awesome opportunity to see Jherek in his element and expose your kids to an orchestra without having to listen to all that “boring classical music.”
This will be a recreation of the show we did back in February at Lincoln Center in NYC with David Byrne on vocals (https://korumdrum.com/2012/02/28/musical-bucket-list-complete/). Unfortunately, David is out on tour and can’t do this show, but these singers are just as good… promise! You’ll get to see Mirah, Zac Pennington (Parenthetical Girls), Soko, Jason Webley, Tomo Nakayama and Zola Jesus among others! My dad, Calder and I will be in the percussion section once again too!
Wow! What an amazing summer! Aside from gigs with Johnny and subbing on a few gigs with Recess Monkey, summer 2012 was jam-packed with fun at Teatro ZinZanni’s In Tents with Recess Monkey. We enjoyed a sold-out run of nine shows and ended up extending the run, which was set to close in July, all the way into September. There is still some availability for our September 16 & 23 shows. You don’t want to miss this circus spectacular with the world’s one-and-only drumming bear (hey, that’s me!).
The Bear’s first appearance. Photo by Keith Brofsky.
This can’t get crossed off of that Bucket List because I never would have thought to put it on. Starting in May I’ll be appearing in Teatro ZinZanni’s new children’s production, “In Tents with Recess Monkey.” I’ll be playing the role of the mischievous Dancing Bear, dressed in a Korum-sized bear suit made completely out of feathers. This circus bear doesn’t want to be tamed though, he wants to ROCK THE DRUMS! I’m completely honored to be asked to do this show. I’ll be appearing with the zaniest Teatro ZinZanni cast member and former Ringling Bros. clown Peter Pitofsky, legendary Siberian juggler Sergey Krutikov, 10-year-old circus sensation Saffi Watson, and Pacific Northwest Ballet’s principle dancer for 25 years, Ariana Lallone. Plus, Seattle’s kindie rock phenomenon, Recess Monkey have written all-original music for this show! Then there’s little ole me, who appeared in “Pirates of Penzance” as a junior at Bainbridge High School!
Conundrum 2012 is almost here! Songs are chosen, the band members are wood-shedding their parts, and the posters just came back from the printer. The only thing left to do is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
The biggest news about this year’s event is that we have a NEW LOCATION! This year we’ll be tearing the roof off of the Island Art Center which is located across from Sakai Intermediate School on the same driveway as the Coppertop buildings. The building says “Mill’s Flooring” on it. Many of you will know it as Chris Mills’ Aikido/Art facility.
9463 NE Business Park Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA. 98110
phone: 206.842.8511
Also new: There will also be a suggested donation of $5. Students and their parents/siblings do not need to pay. Grandparents, neighbors and friends should if they can.
2012 is off to an AMAZING start! My 8 year-old son (Calder) and I just returned from a week-long trip to New York City for a musical adventure made possible by my ultra-talented brother Jherek.
Jherek, a multi-instrumentalist (whose main instrument is bass), composer, arranger and producer has just put the finishing touches on his upcoming album Composed which features a diverse lineup of guest vocalists including old friends like Zac Pennington of Parenthetical Girls to legendary musical impresarios like Caetano Veloso and David Byrne. As a way to celebrate the accomplishment and get some attention for Jherek’s amazing work, David Byrne hooked my brother up with the producers of the Ecstatic Music Festival at the Kaufman Center in NYC for a live performance of the album, start to finish.
Rehearsal at Merkin Hall, Kaufman Center, NYCA photo of Jherek taken by Calder.Calder hitching an elevator ride to rehearsal with his idols (other than the Beatles).
The concert featured most of the same vocalists as the album (it was too expensive to get Mr. Veloso here from Brazil) along with the Wordless Music Orchestra (NYC) and a gaggle of cohorts from Seattle. The percussion section included Greg Saunier (Deerhoof), Seattle’s Paul Kikuchi, my very own dad, me, and… Calder! That’s right, Calder played NYC with Jherek and David Byrne at 8 years old! Sure, it was for only one gong hit, but boy was it worth the cost of bringing him across the country!
The concert was a huge hit, completely sold out and, extremely well-received. The promoters had done a fantastic job ahead of time and there was extensive preview coverage in Time Out New York, New York Magazine, and on WQXR including interviews and live streaming of the concert.
That's me on the far left, Jherek poking out to the right of David, and Steven Reker in the track jacket amongst players from the Wordless Orchestra.
Take a listen to the entire archived recording of the show here:
But, back to that bucket list mentioned in the title of this post… you see, Jherek and I were basically raised on David Byrne’s music. Sure, there was some Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna and Beatles thrown in, as well as a bunch of bizarre music my dad was into. About 8 years ago, Mr. Byrne was playing a show that the company I worked for was producing and I took Jherek. The next day he and I left on a two week-long tour with The Dead Science and brought David’s latest CD along in the car. I remember driving in a hot, un-air conditioned car through the California valley to Merced for a show out on a rice paddy (really!). I said to Jherek, “you know, if I could just play back-up for David Byrne on one song, one time in my life, I could continue my musical career a success.” Jherek replied with a drawn-out “totally.” Well, consider my goal met, and as a bonus, I got to play TWO songs with him. I may have been one of 4 drummers onstage alongside 50 other musicians, but consider me fulfilled!
Calder being interviewed for a documentary about Jherek.Calder getting an excused absence note for school from David Byrne.Excused!
Korum Bischoff 