eighth blackbird

About This Performance

The three-time Grammy-winning “super musicians” (Los Angeles Times) in eighth blackbird combine the finesse of a string quartet, the energy of a rock band and the audacity of an independent theater company. Their unique blend of bracing virtuosity and alluring irreverence debunks the misconception that contemporary music is only for a cerebral few. The sextet’s latest program, Hand Eye, was written specifically for eighth blackbird by celebrated Brooklyn-based composer collective Sleeping Giant. Its six works each highlight a different musician while embracing diverse worlds: wild rambunctiousness (Andrew Norman), driving tunes (Ted Hearne), fragile lyricism (Chris Cerrone), flickering virtuosity (Timo Andres), atmospheric beauty (Jacob Cooper) and minimalism-tinged athleticism (Rob Honstein).