Red Fish Blue Fish
Red Fish Blue Fish’s celebrates their 20th Anniversary with a program that includes Steve Reich’s “Drumming” and Gabriela Ortiz’ “Liquid Borders,” fresh off its world premiere at The Banff Centre in Canada in August.
The New York Times calls red fish blue fish a "dynamic percussion ensemble from the University of California." Founded twenty years ago by Steven Schick, the San Diego-based ensemble performs, records, and premieres works from the last 85 years of western percussion's rich history. The group works regularly with living composers from every continent. Recent projects include a world premiere of a Roger Reynolds' Sanctuary and the American premiere of James Dillon's epic Nine Rivers cycle with the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE). In the summer of 2011, red fish blue fish collaborated with George Crumb, Dawn Upshaw, and Peters Sellars to premiere the staged version of The Winds of Destiny. Eighth Blackbird invited red fish blue fish to join them in performances of works by American icons such as John Cage and Steve Reich at the Park Ave Armory in New York City. The New York Times called their "riveting" performance of John Cage the "highlight" of the program. red fish blue fish has appeared regularly at the Ojai Music Festival and will be featured in the upcoming 2015 festival, for which Schick will serve as Musical Director. Critics around the world have praised the group’s recordings of the percussion chamber music of Iannis Xenakis and Roger Reynolds (Mode Records). Also on Mode red fish blue fish recently released a DVD of the early percussion music of Karlheinz Stockhausen (September, 2014).
The concert comes just before Schick’s induction into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame this November. RFBF has had a huge impact on new music percussion performance (premieres), recordings, and education. Successful RFBF/UCSD Music alums include Ross Karre, now with ICE; Aiyun Huang, who heads the percussion department at McGill University; Morris Palter, assistant professor at University of Alaska Fairbanks where he is also artistic director of the 64.8 percussion group; and Justin DeHart, Chapman University faculty, member of the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet.
Tickets are $15.50- General Admission, $10.50- UCSD Faculty, Staff, Alumni, & FREE for all students. To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit music.ucsd.edu/concerts.