Event

Ghédalia Tazartès

One of France's most idiosyncratic talents, Ghédalia Tazartès has since the mid-70's mined a sui generis universe of berserk intoning and wailing glossolalia vocalization, rough hewn tape collage and loose ethno-instrumental mulch, all elements frottaging each other against their inherent grains to much screwy amusement. An autodidact working partially within the traditions of musique concrète and sound poetry, he creates a kind of diaspora of intimate sound, but is generally considered a musical nomad. As a descendant of a Ladino community of Judaeo-Spanish heritage, Tazartès' work explores the notion of disembodied nations and voices; channeling these voices, Ghédalia is the orchestra and a pop group all in one person, the solitary opera exploding his self into an infinity of folk characters. His working method, dubbed 'impromuz', in which he records for hours only keeping the most marvelous minutes, distills his inspirations while evoking the derailed nature of Dada cut-ups. 1980's Tazartès' Transports was included on the now legendary Nurse With Wound list of pioneering hybrids of avant-garde and popular music. In 2004, after a career of exceptionally rare public appearances, Ghédalia decided at last to grace the stage both in collaboration and as a solo performer. This Brooklyn concert marks his first-ever American performance and Tazartès only date for the trip.