Trio Globo to give free concerts, workshops on April 23 & 24 at SLCC-Meramec

Trio Globo (pictured), the eclectic jazz/folk/classical/world music band that includes (from left) cellist Eugene Friesen, multi-instrumentalist Howard Levy, and percussionist Glen Velez, will be in St. Louis next week on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 for a residency at St. Louis Community College-Meramec.

Levy, Friesen and Velez will take part in two days of workshops and concerts, all of which are free and open to the public. The residency will culminate with a concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Meramec Theatre featuring Trio Globo with the Meramec Orchestra and Choir and other Meramec Arts students.

Levy was the keyboard and harmonica player in the original lineup of Bela Fleck's Flecktones, who share with Trio Globo a proclivity for mixing musical genres from all around the world. Friesen has been a member of the Paul Winter Consort since 1978, and is known for incorporating the cello into unusual musical settings and for his use of extended techniques. Velez also has worked extensively with Paul Winter, as well as with composer Steve Reich's ensemble, and has collaborated with other well-known performers ranging from Pat Metheny to the New York City Ballet.

Here's the complete schedule of events for Trio Globo's St. Louis residency:

Thursday, April 23
Noon: Trio Globo Opening Concert in the Meramec Theatre,
1:30 p.m.: Choir rehearsal, Eugene Friesen, HW102
2:30 p.m.: Overtone singing, Glen Velez, HW102
3:30 p.m.: Harmonica Workshop, Howard Levy, HW102
3:30 p.m.: Improvisation/spoken word, Eugene Friesen, Theatre
7:30 p.m.: Dress Rehearsal, Trio Globo with the Meramec Orchestra and Choir, Theatre

Friday, April 24
10 a.m.-Noon: String Workshop, Eugene Friesen, HW102
10 a.m.-Noon: Improv and Movement, Glen Velez and Howard Levy, HE131
1:30 p.m.: History of Harmonica, Howard Levy, HW102
2:30 p.m.: Percussion workshop, Glen Velez, HW102
3:30 p.m.: The New Cello, Eugene Friesen, HW102
7:30 p.m.: Trio Globo Concert with Meramec Orchestra, Concert Choir, Arts students, Theatre

For a sample of some of Trio Globo's music, check out the embedded video window below. For more information on the Trio Globo workshops and concerts at St. Louis Community College-Meramec, you can call the SLCC-Meramec community relations office at 314-984-7529 or the music department at 314-984-7639.