“Not only a pianist and composer but also a fluent traveler in the realm of contemporary art.” —New York Times
Celebrated jazz pianist/composer/visual artist Jason Moran returns to the Walker to present a new multimedia performance that examines the various ways jazz functions: as freedom music, as a model of democracy, and as a prop. The work features Moran’s trio the Bandwagon (with bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits) and DJ Ashland Mines in collaboration with artists Lizzie Fitch and Ryan Trecartin, whose narrative-driven video installations explore the fluid nature of identity, community, and cultural subjectivity. There will be two shows—Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 at 8pm in the William and Nadine McGuire Theater. There will be a post-show audience reception on opening night. Stay after for a chance to meet the artists.
Walker Commission/World Premiere. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Jason Moran, on view April 26–August 26, 2018.
ABOUT JASON MORAN
Jazz pianist, composer, and visual artist Jason Moran (b. 1975, Houston, Texas) earned a degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He was named Ford Foundation The Art of Change Fellow in 2017 with his wife and collaborator Alicia Hall Moran, a MacArthur Fellow in 2010, and is the Artistic Director for Jazz at The Kennedy Center. Moran currently teaches at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. Moran has produced 11 albums and six film soundtracks, including scores for Ava DuVernay’s films Selma and 13th. He has collaborated with visual artists, including Joan Jonas, Adam Pendleton, Glenn Ligon, Kara Walker, Lorna Simpson, Stan Douglas, Theaster Gates, among others. His work was featured in the 2015 Venice Biennale.
ABOUT TARUS MATEEN
World-renowned musician and producer Tarus Mateen has collaborated with a diverse range of artists throughout his career, such as Lauryn Hill, The Roots, Christina Aguilera, Korn, Jason Moran, Tommy Hilfiger and Betty Carter. A guitarist, bassist, and pianist, Mateen works in styles of hip-hop, blues, rock, reggae and jazz. He has also co-produced scores for Spike Lee’s film Malcolm X (1992) and the film Sugar Hill (1993). Mateen continues to collaborate on albums of nearly every genre as well as his own.
ABOUT NASHEET WAITS
New York-based drummer Nasheet Waits experienced the world of a musician first through his father, Frederick Waits, who has worked alongside artists Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins and Max Roach. Waits studied psychology, history and music at Morehouse in Atlanta, GA and Long Island University. As an original member of pianist Jason Moran’s Bandwagon, Jason, bassist Tarus Mateen, and Nasheet have been deemed, “the most exciting rhythm section in jazz” by JazzTimes. Along with his musician career, Waits also teaches private drum lessons to youth and adults.
ABOUT LIZZIE FITCH
Lizzie Fitch is an American multi-media artist working in sculpture, video, and performance. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. Her long-time partner and collaborator Ryan Trecartin and Fitch are internationally known for their works, including the series “Any Ever” (2010). Their collaborations have been shown at MoMa, New York, the Venice Biennale, Italy and the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. She currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California where she co-runs Fitch-Trecartin Studios.
ABOUT RYAN TRECARTIN
Film artist Ryan Trecartin was born in Texas and grew up in Ohio. He received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, where he met Lizzie Fitch, and they began working together in 2000. Trecartin was a 2009 recipient of the Jack Wolgin International Competition in Fine Arts, which recognizes the highest, international level of artistic excellence. One of Trecartin and Fitch’s most recent projects involved working on a W magazine photoshoot featuring world-renowned models Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid. Trecartin and Fitch have also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post and Art in America.
ABOUT ASHLAND MINES
Ashland Mines, also known as DJ Total Freedom, is based in Los Angeles. He has been featured in Interview magazine, the Chicago Tribune and The Fader. A collaborative sound artist, Mines is a founding member of the Fade to Mind music label and creative team. He is known for creating “environments for humans” and has organized reoccurring club theme nights in LA such as Mustache Mondays and WILDNESS. In 2012, he curated a sound and performance exhibition, titled Blasting Voice, in which an exclusive club and after-party-like scene was brought to galleries for nine nights.
RELATED EVENTS
Sound Horizon: Curated by Jason Moran
Thursdays, June 21, July 19, and August 9
6, 7, and 8pm
Walker Art Center, Free
Exploring the interstitial spaces between live sound and visual art, the long-running music series Sound Horizon returns to the galleries this summer. Intended for both close listening and moments of happenstance for gallery-goers, this free, aurally eclectic series features three short sets by each artist.
Curated by Jason Moran, the events will be held on three Thursdays throughout the summer—June 21, July 19, and August 9. Visit walkerart.org for more details to come.
Thursday, June 21: Douglas Ewart with Ananya Chatterjea, Stephen Goldstein, Mankwe Ndosi, and Carei Thomas
Thursday, July 19: Jason Moran and The Bandwagon
Thursday, August 9: Dave King / George Cartwright / Josh Granowski