Jacob Elkin, Trombonist

Jacob Elkin is a NYC based trombonist who specializes in electronics, spatialization, improvisation, and microtonality. In addition to music from his repertoire, he will present works by Alabama composers.

Michael Coleman’s “Sliding Interest #6” is from a series of graphic scores, for sliding instruments, based on interest rate graphs. Both “Meander” by Monroe Golden and “By Wit and Reason, Which We Call Science” by Holland Hopson feature live computer processing. Golden’s piece references the meandering path of a Cretan labyrinth and utilizes the natural harmonics of the trombone.  Hopson’s work is inspired by John Dowland’s lute songs of the English Renaissance. William Price’s lyrical and virtuosic “Statements” for solo trombone uses different musical styles to delineate the separate movements. A spontaneous performance will pair Elkin with Birmingham’s leading improvisor, LaDonna Smith.

This activity is supported by Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Jacob Elkin has performed on some of the most prestigious stages of the world including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and The Kimmel Center. He has presented lecture performances at Mozarteum University Salzburg, the University of London, and The Contemporary Art Center Seoul, South Korea. He has premiered new works for trombone in chamber settings with New York Composers Circle, Mimesis Ensemble, Contemporaneous, Ensemble Mise-en, and The New York Trombone Consort with David Taylor. He has premiered solo works for trombone by Hubert Howe, Dary John Mizelle, Monroe Golden, Joseph Pehrson, Jin-Hee Han, Josh Oxford, and many others. Mr. Elkin has been written about in many publications including Broadway World, OperaWire, New Music USA, I Care if you Listen, Classical Music Daily, and Avant Music News. His music is available on WAW and Ablaze records and has been played on WKCR New York Radio. He is on faculty at The United Nations International School. http://jacobelkin.com