AACM NYC: Celebrating 61 Years of Creative Music with David Virelles, Thurman Barker, Noah Barker, and The Rhythm Method

Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians’s (AACM) New York City Chapter, Inc. celebrates 61 years of creative music with Richarda Abrams as the Mistress of Ceremonies. SET 1 David Virelles solo piano SET 2 Thurman Barker & Noah Barker Duo Thurman Barker drums, percussion, bells Noah Barker piano (AACM New York City Chapter Inc.’s 2025 Emerging Artist) SET 3 Thurman Barker solo percussion SET 4 Thurman Barker’s new string quartet plays a world premiere of ROCK CITY (Zion National Park) The Rhythm Method Leah Asher violin Marina Kifferstein violin Carrie Frey viola Meaghan Burke cello This evening is presented by AACM New York City Chapter, Inc. in Partnership with Roulette. The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), a non-profit tax-exempt arts organization co-founded in 1965 by Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams, Jodie Christian, Kelan Phil Cohran, and Steve McCall, is one of the oldest musicians associations in the United States. Since its founding in Chicago, Illinois in 1965, the organization’s members have developed a body of work that encompasses the spectrum of traditional and contemporary music. The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians New York City Chapter, Inc. a non-profit tax-exempt entity was established in 1983 by AACM members who moved to New York. The AACM is significantly unique in that it has nurtured and brought to fruition so many accomplished composers and performers. The organization’s artists have developed a body of work that has achieved lasting significance across borders of music genres and geography to play a critical role in the ever evolving process of music creation and its vital influence throughout the world. AACM members who have been featured in our programs include: Anthony Braxton, Roscoe Mitchell, Wadada Leo Smith, Henry Threadgill, Thurman Barker, Adegoke Steve Colson, Iqua Colson, Chico Freeman, Amina Claudine Myers, George Lewis, Reggie Nicholson, Peggy Abrams, Richarda Abrams, Laroy Wallace McMillan and posthumously Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams, Leonard E. Jones, Frank Gordon, Joseph Jarman, Leroy Jenkins, Kalaparusha Ahra Difda, Lester Bowie, Steve McCall, Fred Anderson, John Stubblefield and Fred Hopkins. AACM New York City Chapter, Inc. continues to produce concerts annually in New York. Our members have received degrees from top Universities and have expertise in many areas ie. artists, painters, and novelists. Because of the AACM New York City Chapter, Inc. our members have gained international recognition as accomplished musicians and composers, many of whom have been invited by renowned orchestras throughout the USA and Europe to perform their music. Our members are master musician composers and have taught in major universities all over the world. David Virelles is a pianist and composer who grew up in a musical family in Santiago de Cuba, immersed in both the Afro – Caribbean diaspora’s music and Western classical traditions. While he considers his work “a hundred percent traditional,” drawing from a synthesis of traditions, he creates a unique, syncretic personal music rather than merely mixing elements or recreating existing styles. This vision was showcased in Virelles’ world premiere of his interdisciplinary piece ORO, commissioned by Carnegie Hall, and at the premiere of Vaivén, commissioned by the Pierre Boulez Saal. In addition to his solo work, Virelles has performed/ collaborated with Henry Threadgill, Ravi Coltrane, Andrew Cyrille, Reggie Workman, Tomasz Stańko, Bill Frisell, Román Díaz, Milford Graves, Terri Lyne Carrington, Marcus Gilmore, Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Tom Harrell, Paul Motian, José Luis Quintana “Changuito”, Stanley Cowell, Hermeto Pascoal, Chucho Valdés, and Juan Pablo Torres. Virelles’ 2012 album Continuum appeared on many “Best of the Year” lists, being selected as the #1 album by The New York Times. Thurman Barker is a celebrated percussionist who built his career on innovation. As a professional musician, composer and college professor, he brings endless passion and decades of experience together to entertain, educate, and expand the horizons of his art. His career has spanned decades, and his talent encompasses and crosses over into many musical genres. From jazz and blues to contemporary, classical and beyond, his sound blurs traditionally rigid lines to the delight of his audiences. Barker’s wealth of knowledge was built through countless incredible collaborators. Most notable musical experiences have been with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. A charter member of the group, Thurman first appeared in AACM productions with Joseph Jarman’s pioneering ensembles. He then went on to record and play with many members, including Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams, Amina Claudine Meyers, Anthony Braxton, Leroy Jenkins, Roscoe Mitchell and Henry Threadgill. After moving to New York in the late 70s, Barker worked and recorded with Sam Rivers and Cecil Taylor. Since creati