New York Community Picnic

The Society of Composers & Lyricists New York warmly invites New York-based members and friends of the SCL to an evening of music at the Bryant Park Picnic Performances.

We’d like to extend a special invitation to members of our fellow organizations: the Alliance for Women Film Composers, the Dramatists Guild of America, Maestra, and the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers.

Jalopy Theater will be presenting a three-part folk festival, with Terrell King, Yacouba Sissoko, and the Michael Daves Quartet ft. Tony Trischka, so let’s gather early to catch up with each other and enjoy the concert together! Read more about the program below:

Terrell King, a Brooklyn native, is an awe-inspiring, young, multi-talented musician and 3rd generation lap steel guitarist. King has appeared on many stages and played many services; he was the pedal steel guitarist in Always Patsy Cline in Weston, Vermont, and plays every Sunday at The House of God Church (Keith Dominion). King has played with musicians such as The Campbell Brothers, Lonnie “Big Ben” Bennett, Miller and the Other Sinners, and recorded an EP with Sacred Steel Records. For this performance in Bryant Park, King will play alongside his family band, which includes cousins Teione Noble (rhythm guitar), Tim Williams (bass), and Tim Allen, Jr. (drums).

Yacouba Sissoko, a master kora player, devotes his musical gift to expand the awareness of West African history and culture, spread the word of peace, and empower his listeners to take charge and realize their imagined futures. His performances have a magical effect on audiences as he skillfully transforms traditional songs and stories that he learned from his forefathers into modern day messages of peace, love, and harmony. His flexible virtuosity, which enables him to move seamlessly from one musical genre to another, has attracted the attention of an array of musicians who have sought him out as a collaborator – Sissoko has recorded with a variety of artists including Paul Simon, Baaba Maal, Ami Koita, Regina Carter, Leni Stern, and Abdoulaye Diabate. All the while, Sissoko exposes new audiences to the enchanting sounds of the kora, a 21-stringed instrument that is plucked and produces a distinctive sound that is quickly associated with West Africa. Sissoko has performed at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC; the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles; the New York Family Arts Festival; and many more. Also recognized for his educational contributions, Sissoko was selected as a Teaching Artist by the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall and Carnegie’s Musical Explorers program in 2007. Sissoko continues to blend his virtuosity effortlessly with other musical styles, whether in Indian ragas or Appalachian tunes. Currently, Sissoko can be seen performing regularly with Regina Carter and his own band, SIYA.

Michael Daves is a Georgia-born guitarist/singer who is heralded as “a leading light of the New York bluegrass scene” by The New York Times and has garnered attention for his work with Tony Trischka, Steve Martin, and Chris Thile, with whom he shares a Grammy nomination for their 2011 album Sleep With One Eye Open. Daves’ unruly interpretations of American roots music standards have won him a place of almost fanatical admiration as a “renegade traditionalist.” His most recent project is the double album Orchids and Violence, which renders identical track lists in contrasting bluegrass and experimental electric styles.

Tony Trischka is considered to be the consummate banjo artist and perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world. For more than 45 years, his stylings have inspired a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians with the many voices he has brought to the instrument. He’s been nominated twice for a Grammy award, at both the 40th and 50th annual Grammy ceremonies. He won three awards at the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association gathering, including Recorded Event of the Year and Banjo Player of the Year. The quintet will be rounded out with mandolin phenom Jacob Jolliff (Bela Fleck, Yonder Mountain String Band), violinist Alex Hargreaves, and bassist Erik Alvar.

*** BRYANT PARK INFORMATION ***

No reservation with Bryant Park is required. FREE tickets are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

We kindly request that attendees RSVP on our Eventbrite. This will help us ensure we reserve enough space for everybody.

Attendees must adhere to Bryant Park’s Rules & Regulations

Please be mindful of the SCL’s Code of Conduct.

Once you’re in the park, look for the SCL balloon!

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