Music

The preeminent force in the resurrection of male fado singers in a genre traditionally dominated by females, Antonio Zambujo makes his debut performance at the Luckman with his earthy and atmospheric interpretations of Portugal’s national musical gems.

Khatia Buniatishvili is “justifiably hailed as one of the great pianists of the future” by the UK’s Guardian. Prize winner of the 2008 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, Khatia was distinguished as a BBC New Generation Artist in 2009 and invited to collaborate with the BBC Orchestra throughout the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons. The Financial Times described Khatia’s performance of Liszt as “magisterial” and her Schumann as “poetic and profound”. Khatia has appeared with many of the world’s premiere orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, and the NDR Hamburg Symphony Orchestra.

With his whimsical, melancholy music, Yann Tiersen has become a sought-after composer. Borrowing from French folk music, chanson, musette waltz, and street music, as well as rock, avant-garde, and classical and minimalist influences, Tiersen’s deceptively simple style has been likened to Chopin, Erik Satie, Philip Glass, and Michael Nyman. Tiersen gained worldwide acclaim for his score to Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie, and Wolfgang Becker’s German tragicomedy, Goodbye Lenin! When asked to discuss his esthetic, Yann Tiersen describes it perfectly, “Let’s live in an enormous world of sound we can use randomly, with no rules at all. Let’s play with sound, forget all knowledge and instrumental skills, and just use instinct.”

The New Yorker calls Punch Brothers “wide-ranging and restlessly imaginative.” Punch Brothers was formed in 2006 by mandolinist/singer Chris Thile with four other virtuosic musicians: fiddler Gabe Witcher, banjo player Noam Pikelny, bassist Paul Kowert, and guitarist Chris Eldridge. Their first Nonesuch record, Punch, was released in 2008 and combined elements of the band’s many musical interests, including indie rock, folk, jazz, bluegrass, and classical music. In 2009, they began a regular, standing-room-only residency in New York City; these shows ultimately spawned 2010’s Grammy-nominated Antifomatic, which was produced by Jon Brion. Their new album Who’s Feeling Young Now? was released to critical acclaim.

Hailed as the “flamenco queen” by the New York Post, Latin Grammy-nominated artist Concha Buika makes her triumphant return to the U.S. Spanish songstress Buika is the daughter of political refugees from Equatorial Guinea and grew up in a Gypsy neighborhood on the Spanish island of Mallorca. For Buika, flamenco was an open door: “It’s not just about music, it’s a way of life. It’s about not running away from yourself. Some people sing about what they would like to happen or would like to be, but in the copla and el cante, we confront who we are, with all our fears and all our defects. In the United States there’s also a great tradition like this: it’s called the blues.” Creating a fusion with flamenco, jazz, soul, and dance rhythms, Buika has become an international sensation. “Her voice has an intensity and a power that’s hard to define,” says NPR. Buika’s voice is piercingly unique and echoes the rich and passionate influences of her upbringing. The New York Times calls her “luminous…magnificent…superb!

The New York Times proclaims Chucho Valdés as “the dean of Latin jazz” and “one of the world’s great virtuosic pianists.” Valdés makes his highly anticipated return to the Luckman Theatre with the Chucho Valdés Quintet. A multi-Grammy Award winner, he has recorded over eighty albums during his illustrious career and has become a true legend in his realm. Founder of the rhythmically innovative Latin jazz band Irakere, Valdés has appeared on the distinguished stages of Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and the Hollywood Bowl. The Chucho Valdés Quintet make a rare Los Angeles appearance in what is certain to be a monumental evening.

Known for her striking voice and magnetic performances, Mexican singer and composer Lila Downs has created one of the most singular explorations of Mexican roots music on both sides of the border and in the process has become one of the most internationally renowned world music artists. By studying Mexican folk rhythms, native dialects and blending them with blues and rock, Downs has composed a unique body of work. A Latin Grammy Award-winner, Lila Downs’ vision is anthropological in nature and as varied as the ancient and earthy cultures that continue to nurture and inspire her. The Los Angeles Times praises Downs as “one of the most interesting and compelling artists from Mexico.”

CocoRosie was formed in Paris, France by American sisters Bianca Casady (Coco) and Sierra Casady (Rosie). Definition eludes these artists as CocoRosie blends and manipulates what critics have described as indie, hip-hop, pop, blues, opera, and electronic music. They find duality between their unique vocal stylings, expanding those differences and playing music that expresses the inner and outer world of the characters in their songs. CocoRosie continues to develop an avant-garde and evolving musical journey.