Terry Riley at Pioneer Works
photo by P Squared

Terry Riley Live at 85 w/ John Zorn & more @ Pioneer Works (pics, video)

Composer and minimalist icon Terry Riley is approaching his 85th year and to celebrate, Brooklyn’s Pioneer Works threw a two-night “Live at 85” bash right before the holidays. We caught the second night, which began with a mesmerizing improvised duo set between Terry and his son, Gyan Riley. Then there was a tribute to Riley’s landmark album A Rainbow in Curved Air, which turned 50 this year, interpreted by a group that included cellist Okkyung Lee, Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto), Angel Deradoorian, drummer Greg Fox, Ben Greenberg (Uniform) and PC Worship’s Justin Frye (who is also musical director at Pioneer Works). Pictures of Night 2 are in the gallery above.

Night 1, meanwhile, included a duo performance of Riley and John Zorn, plus sets featuring Dave Cossin, Gyan Riley, Travis Laplante, Caroline Davis and more. Watch a few videos from Night 1 below.

photos by P Squared