Julius Eastman: Crazy, Evil, Gay Guerrilla

Part of Julius Eastman: That Which Is Fundamental →

ABOUT THIS EVENT
Julius Eastman perfected his multifarious minimalism in three works of the late seventies: “Crazy Nigger”, “Evil Nigger”, and “Gay Guerrilla”. Each work is scored for multiple instruments of the same kind. This concert features two of the works performed as a piano quartet and Gay Guerrilla performed by a large ensemble of electric guitars.

PROGRAM:

JULIUS EASTMAN: SPOKEN INTRO (1980)
Archival recording of Eastman’s explanation of the use of “Nigger” in the title of his compositions.

JULIUS EASTMAN: EVIL NIGGER (1979)
Joseph Kubera, Dynasty Battles, Michelle Cann, Adam Tendler – pianos

JULIUS EASTMAN: GAY GUERRILLA (1979), version for 14 electric guitars by Dustin Hurt
Sonora Guitar Ensemble: Michael Lorenz, Quinn Collins, John Pettit, Marc Jaffee, Ben Rosen, Travis Woodson, Joshua Hey, Brian McBrearty, James Merle Thomas, Alban Bailly, David Middleton, Dylan Reis, George Korein, Matt Hollenberg and Alex Lewis

JULIUS EASTMAN: CRAZY NIGGER (1979)
Joseph Kubera, Dynasty Battles, Michelle Cann, Adam Tendler – pianos

ABOUT THE SERIES
Julius Eastman: That Which is Fundamental is an interdisciplinary, multi-artist project that examines the life, work, and resurgent influence of Julius Eastman, a gay African American composer and performer who was active internationally in the 1970s and 80s, but who died homeless at the age of 49, leaving an incomplete but compelling collection of scores and recordings. The culmination of more than three years of research, this first iteration of this project will take place in Philadelphia in May 2017. Events include four major concerts – including several modern “premieres” of recently recovered works – and a multi-disciplinary exhibition featuring archival materials and work by ten contemporary artists who engage with Eastman and the fragmented nature of his legacy.

That Which Is Fundamental is the first comprehensive examination of Eastman’s legacy to work alongside the Eastman Estate, an organization led by Gerry Eastman to gather together, organize, preserve, disseminate, and generally further the work of his brother, Julius.

Photos by Ben Tran