Summer workshop attracts famed duo

A musician renowned for bridging the gap between jazz and classical music has been appointed co-artistic director of the 2018 Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music.

Tyshawn Sorey will join existing artistic director Vijay Iyer to oversee the summer program designed for both emerging and established musicians looking to challenge themselves or refine their skills. The workshop runs Aug. 6-25.

“I couldn’t be more delighted of the opportunity to take on the role ... along with the great pianist, composer, conceptualist and thinker, Vijay Iyer,” Sorey was quoted in a release from the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

It’s a powerhouse duo with both men at the helm. Iyer is a Grammy-nominated composer-pianist who has been directing the program since 2013. Sorey was part of the faculty for Banff Centre’s 2017 jazz and summer music programs but he also has a lengthy list of accomplishments around the world. He served as the Danish International Visiting Artist at Jazz Denmark and taught and lectured at Columbia University, Hochschule fur Musik Koln, Berklee College of Music, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and the Danish Rhythmic Conservatory.

With six critically acclaimed recordings to his name, Sorey is currently an assistant professor of music at Wesleyan University specializing in creative improvised and experimental musical traditions.

Sorey was also recently awarded The MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Grant” — a $625,000 no-stringsattached investment to pursue his own creative, intellectual and professional desires.

“I’m thrilled and delighted to continue my longtime association with Tyshawn Sorey, one of today’s most innovative and celebrated musical visionaries,” said Iyer. More information about the Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music can be found at banffcentre.ca/music