Purdue News
Purdue News
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October 13, 2000 Acoustic folk band NewGrange to play PurdueWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – NewGrange, known for exploring the roots of jazz, country and blues through the art of folk music, will perform at Purdue University Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Loeb Playhouse. Tickets are $24 for general public and $18 for Purdue students. Tickets are on sale at box office locations or charge by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. NewGrange is an acoustic ensemble composed of six soloists: Philip Aaberg, Darol Anger, Alison Brown, Mike Marshall, Tim O'Brien and Todd Phillips. Their music features piano and a variety of string instruments including violin, guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass and an occasional accordion. The sextet was originally formed in 1998 for "Christmas Heritage," a Christmas album and tour project. "Christmas Heritage" received national praise, including being voted the No. 1 Christmas release of 1998 by Gannett News Service. The ensemble remained together following the project and in 1999 released its self-titled national debut album on the Compass Record label. NewGrange's musical style explores American folk music of the past to reveal the roots of present-day jazz, country, blues and even gospel. "We take old songs and make them new; we take new songs and make them old," pianist Aaberg said. Aaberg has traveled the globe as a soloist. He has recorded a number of albums including "High Plains," "Upright," and "Wild Christmas." Aaberg is a member of Lucasfilm's Skywalker Orchestra and has played piano for the movies "Mimic," "The Game," and "Winnie the Pooh, Search for Christopher Robin." Violinist Anger has been in the music business since 1977. Ever pushing the traditional violin envelope, Anger showed his rule-breaking potential in the bluegrass album "Psychograss." Anger's current personal project is titled "Generations of Jazz Violin." In 1988, banjo-player Brown, a graduate of Harvard University and UCLA's business school, left her career as an investment banker to pursue banjo-playing full time. Brown's sacrifice paid off with a Grammy nomination for the album "Simple Pleasure." To help change the banjo's image, Brown assisted in developing an electric nylon string banjo, which she used in her most recent album, "Out of the Blue." Marshall and O'Brien both play guitar, violin and mandolin. The most-awarded member of NewGrange is Phillips, who has received two Grammys, including one in 1983 for "New South," his album with Ricky Skaggs. He won his second Grammy in 1996 for best bluegrass album of the year. Phillips also has accompanied such musicians as J.D. Crowe, Vassar Clements, Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush. The NewGrange concert is sponsored by Purdue Convocations as part of the Patron's Choice Series. CONTACT: Laura Sargent, Purdue Convocations, (765) 494-5045, sargentl@purdue.edu.
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