The Westerlies are a New York-based brass quartet comprised of four childhood friends from Seattle, Washington \u2014 Riley Mulherkar and Zubin Hensler on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Willem de Koch on trombone. The Westerlies will be performing on April 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bologna Performing Arts Center on the campus of Delta State University. The event is part of the Recital Hall Series, featuring a more intimate audience setting in the BPAC\u2019s 145-seat Recital Hall. Tickets are on sale now.<\/p>\n
Formed in 2011, the self-described \u201caccidental brass quartet\u201d takes its name from the prevailing winds that travel from the West to the East. \u201cSkilled interpreters who are also adept improvisers\u201d (NPR\u2019s Fresh Air), The Westerlies explore jazz, roots and chamber music influences to create the rarest of hybrids \u2014 music that is both “folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous\u201d (NPR Music). Equally at home in concert halls and living rooms, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along.<\/p>\n
Their latest concert program, “Songs We Sang: American Vocal Music of the 20th Century,” traces the sound of the 20th century through a variety of American vocal traditions. From the songs of Charles Ives .to the spirituals of the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet, The Westerlies draw a line through jazz, classical and folk languages.<\/p>\n
In addition to their public performance, The Westerlies will perform a mini-concert for a local assisted living community, as well as conduct a masterclass for Delta State University students.<\/p>\n