üTaké brings unique sound to performances

A collaborative improvisatory ensemble known for bringing the shakuhachi flute into their diverse music, will give three free performances in West Michigan.

The üTaké ensemble explores a wide variety of musical styles, from contemporary and traditional classical, to jazz and pop, while including the shakuhachi flute, famous for its soulful sound and its iconic use by Buddhist monks in a traditional practice of blowing meditation.

Performances are scheduled for:

March 19, 4 p.m.
Cook-DeWitt Center, GVSU Allendale Campus
Shakuhachi Dialogues Series, a concert and discussion
arranged through the College of Interdisciplinary Studies
    
March 20, 7 p.m.
Christ Community Church
225 East Exchange St., Spring Lake
 
March 22, 5 p.m.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
134 N. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
Collaborative concert with visual artists from Kendall College

The ensemble’s new CD, “The Name of the Wind,” evolved from an invitation to perform in Sydney, Australia for the 2008 World Shakuhachi Festival. üTaké members include Rob Foster, shakuhachi flutes; Ric Troll, percussion; and Kurt Ellenberger, piano.

Ellenberger, an associate professor of music in the Frederik Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University, is a composer and jazz pianist who has performed in the U.S., Canada, Australia and Europe. His work as a composer was recently recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, which presented him with an ASCAP Composition Award in 2009. This award honors composers of concert music in the classical and jazz genres. He is also a recent inductee into the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Rob Foster honed his musical skills in Detroit. He has performed with jazz artists such as Dave Brubeck and Dizzy Gillespie, as well as with popular artists such as The Four Tops, Crystal Gayle, The Ink Spots, Melissa Manchester, Mitch Ryder and The Temptations.

Ric Troll is a composer, percussionist, and guitarist whose work reflects his interest in modern jazz and contemporary chamber music, as well as traditional folk/world music. He has performed with many artists, including Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette and John Abercrombie, and shared the stage with Weather Report, Jimmy Forrest, Danny Heines and others.

For more information, contact Kurt Ellenberger at (616) 331-8131, or visit www.kurtellenberger.com