GRAND BAND is NYC’s New Music Piano Sextet. This unique ensemble has been described as ‘the Traveling Wilburys of the city’s new-music piano scene’ by the New York Times and a ‘supergroup of soloists’ (The Glass) and has garnered praise for delivering electrifying performances of new and contemporary music for six pianos. Making its debut at the Bang on a Can Marathon in a headlining performance of Steve Reich’s epic Six Pianos, the ensemble has been in increasing demand. Following a performance at (le) poisson rouge last summer, the New York Times declared that Grand Band consists of ‘six of the finest, busiest pianists active in New York’s contemporary-classical scene’ and that the group was a ‘rousing new ensemble.’
 
http://grandbandnyc.blogspot.com/
 
GRAND BAND is:
 
Vicky Chow
David Friend
Paul Kerekes
Blair McMillen
Lisa Moore
Isabelle O’Connell
 
VICKY CHOW is the pianist for the Bang on a Can All-Stars. She performs around the world as soloist & chamber musician and has been called a ‘new star of new music’ by the LA Times.
 
DAVID FRIEND’s playing has been described as ‘astonishingly compelling’ (Washington Post), ‘magical’ (NY Concert Review) & ‘enlivening’ (NYTimes). He maintains a busy schedule of performances with new music groups in NYC & abroad.
 
PAUL KEREKES is a composer & pianist who WQXR describes as ‘striking…ecstatic…dramatic.’ Currently pursuing graduate work at Yale, he has worked with top figures in new music as both composer & pianist.
 
BLAIR MCMILLEN is an indispensable force in the new music community in NYC. Highly regarded as both chamber musician & soloist, the NY Times’ Anthony Tommasini declares: ‘When played by the formidable Mr. McMillen, any piece sounds terrific.’
 
LISA MOORE was the founding pianist for the Bang on a Can All-Stars and is a renowned soloist & chamber musician. She has released 7 solo & over 30 collaborative discs and performed around the world with groups such as Steve Reich & Musicians, London Sinfonietta, and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
 
ISABELLE O’CONNELL ‘the young Irish piano phenom’ (New Yorker), has performed as soloist and chamber musician
across North America, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. A member of Crash ensemble, her solo album RESERVOIR features new music from Ireland.