THIS CONCERT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. STAY TUNED FOR NEW DATE.
Sunday June 25 * 7pm * TICKETS
Following up on last year's widely praised release on Cuneiform Records (much of the music having been workshopped at Rhizome), this Spring and Summer we are happy to be able to present a second performance residency by Janel Leppin and her group Ensemble Volcanic Ash: Luke Stewart / Brian Settles / Anthony Pirog / Kim Sator / Sarah Hughes / Larry Fergusen / Janel Leppin.
This month’s show will open with a solo performance by harpist Kim Sator.
"Janel Leppin is a picture of versatility. Not only has she been a pillar of Washington, D.C.’s creative music community for the last 20 years, but the cellist, composer, arranger, and singer has made significant marks in other scenes as well. She’s contributed cello arrangements to the Messthetics, played with punk outfit Priests, and records art-pop under the Mellow Diamond moniker.
Leppin leans into a jazz-centric vision on the majestic and occasionally abrasive Ensemble Volcanic Ash, which affirms her place as a boundless musician who constantly leaves the listener intrigued. It’s a puzzle in which jazz, chamber music, contemporary classical, and punk seamlessly coalesce with bracing results.
Ensemble Volcanic Ash, comprising Leppin, bassist Luke Stewart, harpist Kim Sator, guitarist Anthony Pirog, alto saxophonist Sarah Hughes, tenor saxophonist Brian Settles, and drummer Larry Ferguson, exquisitely captures strings-driven melody, harmony, and noise at a furious clip. They both tug at the heartstrings and bust ears. " -Jazz Times
Harpist Kim Sator is a lifelong contributor to the DC Metropolitan Area’s artist community. This native Washingtonian got her musical foundation in the DC Public School System and the DC Youth Orchestra Program. She started on violin and later transitioned to flute and piano. Once she discovered the harp she never looked back. A graduate of Howard University, her artistry transcends the confines of genre weaving her musical ideas into jazz, gospel, and contemporary music. Solo or with other musicians, she finds joy in creating new ideas.