Flutist Jennifer Grim will perform on July 24th and 26th.
Hailed as “a deft, smooth flute soloist” (The New York Times), chamber musician, educator, and advocate Jennifer Grim is making her first appearance with KCMF this summer. Her most recent album, “Through Broken Time” (New Focus Recordings, September 2022), received wide acclaim. Featuring a collection of works at the intersection of Afro-Modernism and post-minimalism, Grim presents a range of multi-dimensional works with characteristic precision, virtuosity, and expressive power.
Before the July 26th concert, Grim will be featured in a Meet the Artist Q&A beginning at 6:30 PM. “The pre-concert Meet the Artist events are a key part of the concert experience,” says Artistic Director Natalie Zhu. “They allow the audience to gain insight into the creative process, hear the inspiration behind the music, and enjoy personal stories from the artists.” Purchasing tickets for the July 26th enables you to also be able to attend Grim’s Meet the Artist event.
On July 24th, Grim will help open the festival with Aaron Jay Kernis’ “Air” for Flute and String Quartet, a piece that explores the flute’s emotional possibilities and provides the perfect showcase for her “seemingly boundless talent” (Jon Sobel, BlogCritics). On July 26th, Grim will join pianist Henry Kramer for Dana Suesse’s Night Sky and Valerie Coleman’s Wish: Sonatine for Flute and Piano. Dr. James Wells–the writer of our program notes for the festival–highlights Suesse’s piece for its expansive melody, interludes, and theme development. “The call and response between the piano and flute allows the listener to feel as if we are overhearing a heart-felt, deep conversation between close friends,” he says. Coleman’s piece is notable for the rich variety of musical styles she weaves together. Wells characterizes it as “a tour de force of compositional excellence.” Listen to it on Grim’s “Through Broken Time” album here!
Get to know Jennifer!
Q. What’s at the top of your bucket list?
A. Hiking the Inca Trail at Machu Picchu
What are the top three songs on your playlist?
It’s a three-way tie between Kendrick Lamar, a Tribe Called Quest, and De La Soul. I play their music on shuffle in the car
What is a little known fact about you?
I was a Psychology major at Stanford University and almost went into that field instead of music.
What piece of music never fails to move you?
Bach’s St. John Passion
