NYC Debut: Zappa:: An A Choired Taste a 12 Voice Choir Dedicated To The Music of Frank Zappa 7.11.18 at Cornelia St. Cafe

Frank Zappa was a maverick American composer born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1940. His Genre’s included Rock, Art Rock, Avant-Garde, Experimental Rock, Modern Composition, Spoken Word, Computer Music and Orchestral Music.

Known for conceptual innovations with his band The Mothers of Invention, Zappa was and still is a cult figure. The creator of radical rock during the 60’s, he continued to explore unusual musical adventures until his death in 1993 from prostate cancer in Los Angeles.

His many compositions included striking rock harmonies and rhythms, satirical verse and innovative forms. He produced over 60 recordings. His business acumen was acute and although he is most know for his music, film producing was an important element in his creative output.

The accomplished American and New York local jazz pianist/composer Lee Tomboulian is excited to announce a debut performance of his new group “Zappa:: Ana Choired Taste”, celebrating the ever-relevant music of the late Frank Zappa, arranged by Lee for a full choir.

Lee has had a career spanning almost four decades. In the nineties, he formed and led the ensemble Circo Verde, which had its debut album, North/South Convergence, produced by Hugo Fattoruso from the influential band Opa.

He has recorded two more albums as a leader, Return To Whenever (with Circo, 2007) and Imaginarium (2012), and has performed frequently in New York since 2011, becoming a familiar presence at such venues as Smalls Jazz Club, the Lenox Lounge, and Kitano Jazz.

The performance will be at Cornelia Street Underground, part of the Cornelia Street Café, a venue that is a home for some of the best jazz and creative performances in New York for over 40 years.

The show will include some classic Zappa songs, such as Who Are The Brain Police, City of Tiny Lights, Toads of the Short Forest, King Kong, The Idiot Bastard Son, Montana, Happy Together (a Zappa cover to The Turtles), and America Drinks and Goes Home, all in new and exciting arrangements for the choir.

The show will also include some spoken word material, written by esteemed writers such as Franz Kafka and George Carlin.

“Jazz isn’t dead. It just smells funny.” – Frank Zappa

Lee Tomboulian has led an eclectic musical life. As a pianist, composer, educator, accordionist, keyboards and choir director, his musical language is entrenched in the jazz idiom. Currently an Adjunct Professor at Long Island University, he has performed and recorded with many notable musicians, among them, Jack DeJohnette, Airto, Steve Swallow and Pharaoh Sanders. www.leetomboulian.com

Tomboulian keeps a very busy schedule performing and teaching in the tri-state area. This is the debut performance of the Zappa Choir. Expect an evening of new sounds, new arrangements and the premiere of this newest jazz choir. It’s a new and exciting adventure for all involved.

The choir consists of many of New York’s most adventurous and seasoned singers, some of whom are also instrumentalists. Marty Elkins, Susan Tabocman, Roni Goren Ben-Zvi, Jonathan Matthews, Mary Foster Conklin, John McMahon, John DiPinto, Sarah James, Dylan Pramuk, Tammy Scheffer and Lauren Lee. The rhythm section features Cliff Schmitt, bass, and Colin Hinton drums.

All of these singers have solo careers, lead their own bands and tour and perform regularly, both nationally and internationally. The ensemble is so new, they don’t even have a website yet.

They do have a Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/598467557206945/ and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/zappachoir/

Contact information:
Lee Tomboulian
lee.tomboulian@gmail.com
www.leetomboulian.com
201-250-2772

July 11, 2018, The Cornelia Street Cafe NYC
Tickets at the door: $10.00 with $10.00 minimum
One Set Only: 6:00pm to 7:15pm
http://corneliastreetcafe.com/underground/performances.asp