James Holdman is a Minneapolis-based composer, performer, and improviser that has performed in many musical groups, from jazz, art music, avant garde, progressive, pop to world music. Holdman’s compositions have been described as both “quirky” and “beautifully written,” and have been performed in the U.S. and Canada.
Tonight, James will present a set of Greek rebetika music performed on bouzouki and tzouras. Rebetika music – often known as the Greek blues – grew out of the Population Exchange in the mid 1920, as millions of people from both Greece and Turkey were swapped after several years of war. The music can be dark but lively at the same time. James has spent time in both Istanbul and Athens studying this music and performing with others there. He has many tales of the music and his own personal experiences surrounding his musical curiosity and journey.
James completed both his M.A. (2006) and Ph.D. (2010) in music composition at the University of Minnesota. He has taught at the University of Minnesota, Indiana University East, Inver Hills Community College (MN), the Art Institutes International Minnesota, plus in other community settings, including with prison inmates.
Other Country Ensemble (OCE) features veteran musicians from the Twin Cities, performing traditional music from the northern Mediterranean region ranging from Spanish Sephardic to Greek and Turkish music, and original compositions inspired by the regions. They weave tales of the history of the music from 711 A.D on and the fusion of sounds that spread through the Mediterranean, as well as the instruments they perform.
OCE is:
Steve Clarke - bass, alto and C flutes, and soprano sax
Laurie Knutson - bass and alto clarinet
Scott Nieman - oud, bouzouki, mandocello
Michael Ziegahn - flamenco guitar, cajon, voice
Mark Black - frame drums, darbuka, and various percussion
OCE on Facebook
James Holdman Website
Tickets are $10 in Advance / $15 at the Door. Doors open at 7pm. Online ticket sales end at 5:30pm.
Our full restaurant and bar service is available in the theater! Order from your seat and enjoy the show, we'll take care of the rest.
We recommend arriving early to grab a drink and find your spot; please keep in mind that we stop seating 30 minutes after the show starts. We do not do refunds or exchanges.