Instruments Of the People (IOP)
Instruments Of the People, formed in 2009 by Francisco Roldán and Danny Mallon, encompasses the global pairing of guitar and percussion throughout the ages. These easily obtainable instruments allowed a way for people to gather together and create music in communities around the world. IOP is a reflection of this living tradition and the people who continue to create a rich tapestry of musical culture.
Internationally celebrated musicians, Roldán (guitar) and Mallon (percussion), come together to create a multicultural music experience. Instruments Of the People showcases a variety of styles including Bambuco, Blues, Danza, Joropo, Porro, Tango and more! This eclectic duo features music from Columbia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Spain, the United States of America and Venezuela.
ZigZag Quartet
This unique ensemble, with Alexander Wu (piano), Hilliard Greene (double bass), and Danny Mallon (percussion), zigzags through countries, time periods, dance styles and musical genres – from classical to flamenco, jazz, to works written for and premiered by them – showcasing the artistry of each instrumentalist.
Interweaving, with Gretchen Farrar-soprano
With Interweaving, we express a commitment to performing songs with classical guitar of varied styles, genres, and eras with a common thread of conviction. Interweaving (entretejiendo in Spanish) is about taking single strands of melody, harmony, poetry, rhythm, and dynamics and fusing them together into a cohesive, expressive whole. Gretchen Farrar's voice and Francisco Roldán's guitar thread their way in and out of each other, creating a gorgeous, variegated tapestry of sound.
Belleza, with Anna Tonna-mezzo soprano
Francisco Roldán's and mezzo soprano Anna Tonna's long standing collaboration showcases composers from the Caribbean, South America and Central America, as well as both historical and contemporary pieces from the United States and Europe. Presenting well known masters of Latin American guitar in the genre of song, Belleza programs works by Heitor Villa-Lobos from Brazil, Ernesto Cordero from Puerto Rico, Leo Brouwer from Cuba, Elliot Carter from USA, as well as Negro Spirituals, Mexico's Manuel Ponce, Spain's Joaquín Rodrigo and Colombian composer Jaime León.
Compass, with Carlo Valte, oud and Danny Mallon, percussion
This unique ensemble explores musical genres from all points of the compass. The “true north” roots of this instrumentation can be traced back to the Near East and the Mediterranean. You can hear these influences echo throughout the different genres we explore with original arrangements of composers Marcel Khalife, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Federico García Lorca, Raphael Landestoy, Chick Corea and others.
Compass was formed in NYC in 2013 and has been performing this attractive blend of acoustic music to the delight of audiences ever since.