Steuart Liebig, a celebrated veteran of the LA underground music scene, unveils a new lineup of his band Minim on the Santa Monica Public Library’s Soundwaves New Music series, Saturday June 1, at 3:30PM in the Main Library’s MLK Jr. Auditorium, in the Main Library at 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Trained as a classical bassist and composer, Liebig was an early adopter of the six-string electric bass and has remained on the cutting edge, using everything from kitchen implements to iPad apps to expand his instrument’s sonic potential. He worked with jazz legend Les McCann and pop/rock star Michael Penn, but has primarily collaborated with artists who, like him, follow their personal visions beyond genres, such as Julius Hemphill, Vinny Golia, and Nels Cline.
This will be Liebig’s fourth Soundwaves performance, but his first as bandleader. He previously performed in a duo with flutist/vocalist Emily Hay, in a trio with trumpeter Kris Tiner and guitarist GE Stinson, and in drummer/composer Nathan Hubbard’s quartet. His band for this show is the third edition of Minim, his improvisational chamber music project, with oboist Breana Gilcher, cellist Maggie Parkins (who has played Soundwaves with The Smudges and with Brightwork New Music), and pianist Vicki Ray (who has appeared solo three times and once with violinist Tom Chiu). Each is in high demand for their virtuosity and creativity.
There will be two more Soundwaves concerts after this one: the Isaura String Quartet on June 22 and The Present Quartet on July 6. Soundwaves was created by librarian/musician Jeff Schwartz and composer Daniel Rothman in 2016 to present world-class avant-garde music at the Santa Monica Public Library. There have been almost 100 events, supported by grants from the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library and the Amphion Foundation. Programs have included collaborations with the Angel City Jazz Festival, Piano Spheres, Jacaranda Music, Microfest, Cold Blue Music, and the Dog Star Orchestra. A complete list of shows, with many videos, is at soundwavesnewmusic.com.
All Library programs are free and open to the public. Parking is available underneath the Main Library, several bus lines and the Metro E line stop nearby, and there are bike racks. The MLK Auditorium is wheelchair accessible. Please call (310) 458-8600 to request additional accommodations.
Submitted by Jeff Schwartz
