There are a lot of famous people in my family. Both sides.
Or infamous, depending on how you know them, or what you know them for.
It's a daunting task just to be related to them.
In fact, most people who know who I am, know me as my mother or father's daughter.
My uncle on my mother's side, Ricky Ian Gordon, is so busy jet-setting around the country and globe, I can barely keep track of him. But lucky for us Northern Californians, he will be here, at UC Berkeley, a couple zip codes from my own, playing at Hertz Hall this Sunday April 29, 3 pm.
Because I grew up with his music in the colorful background of my not-so-normal childhood, I can't say for sure what category it falls into. Ricky's music is modern, historical, intensely emotional, vibrant, violent, whimsical, poetic and brave. Think Thelonious Monk meets Angels in America at a show also featuring a dead European composer inspired by ee cummings in a forest of very tall, mossy trees.
The last time he was in California was for a memorial and before that I'm not sure I was born yet.
If you're too far away, find his music on CD or iTunes. My favorite songs on iTunes: Daybreak In Alabama, Once I Was, They Dance, Joy, Afternoon On A Hill, Dances For Piano: Waltz.
See you soon?
That's really cool. I know his music.
Posted by: maggie | 24 April 2007 at 03:41 PM
Cam's a Gordon on his Mom's side, too. Maybe we're related :D
Posted by: Anita | 25 April 2007 at 12:59 AM
Maggie-- what an exciting comment. I always wonder who knows Ricky's work.
Anita-- Gordon is a post WWII changed name. My grandfather knew that to keep his overtly Jewish name it would threaten his livelihood...
Posted by: shuna fish lydon | 25 April 2007 at 04:46 AM
um, he's one of my favorite contemporary composers. and you're RELATED to him.
Posted by: robert | 25 April 2007 at 02:57 PM
Hello,
I'm a graduate student at the University of Mississippi and I am singing many of Ricky Ian Gordon's pieces. I am also doing research on his pieces set to Langston Hughes text for my research project and possibly later dissertation work. I came across your blog after googling him! Does he have a website other way to contact him. Thanks so much for your time. Sincerely, Natalie
Posted by: Natalie Bottoms | 09 October 2007 at 10:37 PM