Pasadena Presbyterian Church is presenting genre-bending chamber music by The Whyman Project, on its “Friends of Music” Concert Saturday, January 14, starting at 7:30 p.m.
The exciting music collaboration uses strings, a jazz rhythm section and piano to create an intriguing mashup of classical, jazz, pop, rock, and film music, all while redefining and expanding the piano quintet and jazz genres.
The Whyman Project, led by founder Ryan Whyman, offers an intriguing mix of musical styles and genres. The ensemble has become a regular fixture on PPC’s Music at Noon series, and will be featured for the first time in the church’s evening concert.
The Project started in school, where Whyman wanted to compose pieces for piano and string quartet, and the string players wanted to expand beyond their classical training. The newly formed quintet soon welcomed a jazz rhythm section to their group, and The Whyman Project quickly took off.
Whyman’s original compositions and arrangements defy category. His music has the remarkable quality of being both sophisticated and accessible to audiences who find themselves transported between all manner of genres, time periods, textures and moods.
The Whyman Project has performed at venues and events big and small, from galas, museums, and concert halls to coffee shops and weddings all around Los Angeles and Orange County.
In May 2014, the ensemble was chosen as one of the winners of the prestigious Beverly Hills Music in the Mansion Auditions. They also performed for Yo-Yo Ma at the Valley Performing Arts Center in May 2015.
Whyman also plays the piano and accordion. Other members of the ensemble include Shawn Cai and Linda Yun on violin, Ben Bartelt on the viola, Billy Tobenkin on cello, Rodrigo Moreno on upright bass and Kirk Portuguez on drums and percussion. Travis Flournoy handles the video projection.
The concert is free. For more information, call PPC at (626) 793-2191 or visit www.ppcmusic.org.
The Pasadena Presbyterian Church is at 585 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena.
