An Evening of Jazz

An NEA Jazz Master, 2025 and 2026 Mellon Foundation Jazz Legacy Fellow, Marilyn Crispell has forged a singular musical language shaped by deep lyricism, fearless improvisation, and a lifelong commitment to artistic exploration. Her work with Anthony Braxton, Reggie Workman, Joe Lovano, Wadada Leo Smith, and many others has established her as one of the most influential pianists and composers in contemporary creative music. For more than four decades, Crispell has remained a pioneering force in avant-garde jazz, creating music that is both adventurous and deeply expressive.



Joining her is Bard's own Angelica Sanchez, an acclaimed composer, pianist, and educator whose music seamlessly integrates intricate compositional structures with the spontaneity of improvisation. A leading voice in modern creative music, Sanchez has collaborated with artists including Wadada Leo Smith, Paul Motian, Nicole Mitchell, Joe Lovano, Tim Berne, and Billy Hart. Her recordings have received widespread critical acclaim, with Sparkle Beings named one of The New York Times' Top Ten Jazz Recordings of 2022 and Nighttime Creatures selected among DownBeat's Best Recordings of 2023.



A centerpiece of this collaboration is their celebrated duo recording, How to Turn the Moon (Pyroclastic Records). Recognized in NPR's Critics Poll as one of the Top 50 Recordings of 2020, the album showcases an extraordinary musical dialogue between Crispell and Sanchez. Through expansive improvisations, subtle textures, and profound listening, the recording reveals the deep artistic connection shared by these two remarkable pianists.



This performance brings that acclaimed partnership to the stage, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the artistry behind How to Turn the Moon live. Moving fluidly between composition and improvisation, Crispell and Sanchez create music of intimacy, intensity, and discovery, demonstrating the boundless expressive possibilities of the piano duo.



Tickets start at $60. To reserve your seat, visit bardian.bard.edu/register/eveningofjazz26.

 

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For more information, call 845-758-7414, or e-mail [email protected].

Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm EDT/GMT-4

Location: Bitó Conservatory Building, Performance Space

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