Enthralling Music from Bay Area’s Gyan Riley Trio

With classical and jazz traditions mingling with Indian, African and Eastern European influences, guitar virtuoso Gyan Riley and his trio perform original music from his latest CD, “Melismantra,” at the Fulkerson Recital Hall on Friday, October 10.

Oakland Magazine called this music “never less than enthralling,” and the East Bay Express described his CD as “a mesmerizing mix of classical, rock, jazz, and traditional Indian music.”

The first guitarist ever to be awarded a full scholarship for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Gyan Riley scored a recording contract for his debut CD while still a student. He has since performed internationally, including gigs with the San Francisco Symphony and his father, the composer/pianist Terry Riley. He also taught guitar at HSU for the 2005-06 academic year.

After a 10-city tour of Ireland next spring, Riley will be playing Carnegie Hall and recording one of his father’s compositions with the Kronos Quartet.

Joining him for this concert are drummer Scott Amendola and violinist/violist Timb Harris. Together they’ve adapted the music on the “Melismantra” CD for live performance. “We’ve also opened up certain sections for improvisational solos,” Riley said, “and to allow for unexpected twists and turns, which I feel adds a lot of excitement to the live element.”

The music on “Melismantra” is available at http://www.gyanriley.com/, and http://www.cdbaby.com/ as well as on Amazon, iTunes and other websites. CDs will be available for purchase at the concert on Friday, October 10 at 8 pm in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus. Tickets are $8 general, $3 students/seniors from the HSU Box Office (826-3928) or at the door. A Guest Artist concert sponsored by the HSU Department of Music.

Media: North Coast Journal "The Hum," Arcata Eye.