An evening with Matthew Barley | Monday 7 April 2014 from 7pm

Improvisation: A Way of Life?

An evening with Matthew Barley

Monday 7 April 2014, from 7pm

Places are free

RSVP to Garry Kennard, at garry.kennard@btopenworld.com

You are invited to share a very special GV Art & Mind evening with the great cellist Matthew Barley. He is proposing a fascinating exploration of improvisation both for himself – and the audience. Matthew Barley is internationally known as cellist, improviser, arranger, music animateur, and artistic director of Between the Notes. His musical world is focused on projects that connect people in different ways, blurring the boundaries that never really existed between genres and people.

Matthew says:

“I always remind people, when teaching improvisation, that once upon a time, we all improvised. All toddlers spend many a pleasant hour inventing songs, stories, dances, games, etc. And in fact, every time we have a conversation, we are improvising. It takes time to learn to bypass that inner judge, and trust ourselves once again to make it up.

I am proposing an exploration of improvisation – theoretical and practical – both on the cello and with you, the audience. It will not be embarrassing, you will not be made to do weird things and feel uncomfortable, and you need to bring nothing except an open mind and a sense of humour”

Biography

Matthew Barley is internationally known as cellist, improviser, arranger, music animateur, and artistic director of Between the Notes. His musical world is focused on projects that connect people in different ways, blurring the boundaries that never really existed between genres and people.

One of the finest cellists of his generation, Matthew has appeared as soloist with orchestra and in recital in many great concert halls around the world, and is as comfortable with improvisation (one of his musical passions, along with Bach Suites, new music and education), as he is with making music with Indian, Sufi, African, Jazz musicians, or London’s Grime MCs.

Matthew’s website is at www.matthewbarley.com, where you will find full details of his tours, concerts, recordings and other projects.