2020 is going to be hard-pressed to come up with a more intriguing concert pairing than avant-garde artist Laurie Anderson and jazz musician Christian McBride. They will be joined by cellist Rubin Kodheli for a concert on Tuesday night at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Anderson is not easy to describe simply – which is all to her credit. Audiences first became aware of her with O, Superman.
Other albums showcasing her unique wit and perspective on the world include such projects as United States I-V, Songs and Stories About Moby Dick. She had a pop album that did well in 1989 called Strange Angels.
She has also contributed to multiple soundtracks, collaborated with artists such as Kronos Quartet (2018’s Landfall). Her film Home of the Brave was a critically acclaimed documentary about her stage performance and included a collaboration with William S. Burroughs.
As an artist she has had exhibitions and art installations around the world. Others know her as Lou Reed’s wife.
For this concert she is billed as playing violin and synthesizers.
Bass player Christian McBride, who just completed the 30th year of his career, has worked with musicians across all genres: Freddie Hubbard, Sting, Isaac Hayes, Sonny Rollins, D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, Queen Latifah, Kathleen Battle, Edgar Meyer, James Brown and more. To date has has won 6 Grammy Awards.
Albanian cellist Rubin Kodheli has collaborated previously with Anderson on Letters to Jack.
Jazz meets avant-garde with two massive and massively well-known talents. Though I’m less familiar with Kodheli, I know this is going to be a very memorable concert.
For tickets go here.
Photo of Laurie Anderson by Richard Conde/Courtesy of laurieanderson.com