Sound Salon proudly presents “Four-Hand Folk,” a vibrant celebration of the global majority’s profound influence on piano duet repertoire, guest-curated by Joe Williams. Join us at 7:00 PM on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103). Pianists Jessica Evotia Andrews-Hall and Joe Williams will join forces to transform their instrument into one big dance party. Come feel the beat of electrifying Caribbean syncopations, mesmerizing gamelan sonorities, and irresistible dance rhythms that will have you moving in your seat!
Experience the raw emotion of compositions born from survival, celebration, and the enduring spirit of folk traditions. From the joyful exuberance of Hungarian wedding dances and Jewish freylekhs to the poignant stories of refugee experiences reflected through Egyptian dance music, each piece tells a unique and compelling tale.
Dive into a powerful solo piano piece by composer Connor Chee, based on a Navajo Corn Grinding Song honoring the strength of women. Then, discover the Yoruba roots in a piano duet version of Casimiro Alcorta’s iconic tango, “El Choclo (The Corn).” Hop across islands, feeling the vibrant energy of Jamaican composer Eleanor Alberga’s “3-Day Mix,” settle into the principles of resonance and listening promoted in Kanaka Maoli composer Leilehua Lanzilotti’s “for two friends of many years,” and groove to the thrilling fusion of gamelan and Balinese dance in Ananda Sukarlan’s “And the Twain Shall Meet.” This isn’t just a concert; it’s a celebration of global heritage, a vibrant tapestry of sounds woven through four-hands that will have you on your feet, dancing and rejoicing!
Jessica Evotia Andrews-Hall is an award-winning pianist in demand as a collaborative performer, teaching artist, and arts advocate. She has performed at venues like Carnegie Hall, the White House, and Benaroya Hall. She recently completed her fourth tour with Seattle Opera, is a pianist for the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and plays for Seattle Theatre Group’s AileyCamp. Jessica helped homeless families write and record songs with Seattle Symphony musicians for their children during The Lullaby Project. As an avid arts advocate, Jessica uses music to inspire, motivate, and empower people.
Guest Curator Joe Williams is an active sound liberator, scholar, and arts leader who paves new possibilities. He views performance as the committed act of channeling ancestral memories through sound to reveal that which is always liberating. A recipient of the 2022 Paul Charosh Independent Scholar Fellowship from the Society for American Music, he regularly activates sacred disruption and collective dreaming on the Tacoma Arts Commission and the Music Teachers National Association DEI Committee. Joe Williams’ immersive, transdisciplinary curatorial approach—blurring sensory lines between recital/exhibition and indoor/outdoor conceptions of space, sound, and movement—has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts.
This is your invitation to witness the transformative power of piano four-hands music, where every note resonates with history, passion, and the undeniable pulse of life. Seating is limited, so reserve your tickets early: https://buff.ly/RjDrFCF
All tickets are pay-as-you-wish, starting at $1, with a suggested price of $36. You can also sponsor an additional seat for $64 or make an additional donation with your ticket purchase.
Doors will open at 6:15 PM, and the concert will begin at 7:00 PM. The performance space is located on the fourth floor, and elevator access is available. Parking is available adjacent to the building. The Good Shepherd Center is also accessible by Seattle public transit, close to bus routes 20, 44, and 62. The nearest light rail stop is the University District stop (please note this is different from the University of Washington stop!)
To learn more about our “Four-Hand Folk” concert, please visit https://soundsalonmusic.org/four-hand-folk/. For questions or comments, please contact melinda@soundsalonmusic.org
Prepare to be swept away on an extraordinary journey through the heart of global folk music, as vibrant cultural narratives are masterfully woven into the very fabric of pieces for piano four-hands.
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Sound Salon (formerly Byron Schenkman & Friends) has been a cornerstone of Seattle’s music scene for 11 years, fostering an inclusive community through diverse, thoughtfully programmed chamber music. This season continues exploring familiar favorites in new light and championing underrepresented voices through lesser-known treasurers. Artistic Director Byron Schenkman programs each concert to explore a theme, connecting composers to each other, to their societies, and to our time.
New Season, New Accessibility! This season Sound Salon unveils new ways to make our performances more accessible than ever! With pay-as-you-wish tickets for all concerts, everyone can experience the joy of music. Plus, we’re expanding our concert venues to include more intimate spaces and increasing flexibility with a wider variety of show times.
Sound Salon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, supported by donors. Grantors include Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, 4Culture, ArtsFund, Arts WA, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Discover more about these programs, join the community, and find an online archive of music at www.SoundSalonMusic.org