Real Art Ways presents
Fireworks - new music ensemble
SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2006, 8pm

HARTFORD, CT: May 3, 2006– On Saturday, May 20, 2006 Real Art Ways presents the new music ensemble Fireworks in a live concert at 8pm. Blurring the lines between rock, jazz, world music, and classical music, the group presents a program that provides well-known classics as well as works by emerging composers, written especially for Fireworks. For more information on Fireworks, visit www.realartways.org or call 860.232.1006. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Real Art Ways Members receive a $5 discount. For reservations, call 860.232.1006 x222.

“This eclectic ensemble of flute, sax, violin, cello, bass, guitar, percussion, and keys is magic. The experience is ecstatic.” - Mark Greenfest, The New Music Connoisseur

“Awesome…very cool and different; hip yet beautiful…for classical and rock music lovers both.” – Adam Weissler, EXTRA TV Show

FIREWORKS is Jennifer Choi, violin; Brian Coughlin, bass; Oren Fader, guitar; Jennifer Grim, flute; James Johnston, piano; Michael Ibrahim, saxophone; Eric Poland, percussion; Leigh Stuart, cello.

Hailed as “the hottest new classical band in New York,” Fireworks combines the subtlety and depth of classical chamber music with the freedom of jazz and the power and energy of rock. Rooted in the classical tradition, Fireworks embraces great music from all cultures, periods, and styles as dialects of a single musical language, and as vital, living art. The ensemble’s remarkable arrangements and interpretations of music by composers from around the world, ranging from Bach to Ellington to Aphex Twin to Piazzolla, provide a contemporary and unbiased entrée into these masterpieces for new listeners, and a fresh perspective on time-honored classics for established audiences.

A strong voice for today’s composers, Fireworks actively commissions and fearlessly champions new works. Since its inception in 2000, the ensemble has premiered over 50 pieces by both established and emerging composers including Glenn Branca, Robert Carl, and Nick Didkovsky. Fireworks’ flexible instrumentation, openness to music in all of its diverse forms, and dedication to presenting contemporary works at the highest level provides today’s composers with the greatest freedom of expression for their ideas.

In addition to its regular concert series in New York, Fireworks tours throughout the United States each season. Engagements include Carnegie Hall, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Deer Valley Music Festival, and a residency at the Oregon Bach Festival Composers’ Symposium.

Fireworks’ acclaimed, rock-inspired recording of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” (2003) has enjoyed critical praise and radio play worldwide from Soundcheck on WNYC in New York, to La Otra Musica in Spain, to Radio Rock in Italy. The group’s first recording, “First Tracks” (2002) was recently featured on John Schaefer’s New Sounds on WNYC. “Dance Mix,” the Fireworks’ highly-anticipated third CD, is now available.

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