“Pianist Vijay Iyer['s] keyboard prowess and epic vision place him in a category by himself among jazz soloists.”
Chicago Tribune

Live Arts and the Eastern State Penitentiary co-present a concert by jazz composer and pianist Vijay Iyer. Iyer will play in conjunction with the ongoing film installation Release, for which Iyer composed the music. Curated by Julie Courtney, Release is a collaboration between Iyer and filmmaker Bill Morrison (click here for Decasia), who turned newly found archival footage of the 1930 release of the notorious criminal Al Capone into a 12-minute experimental film. Iyer will play music from his new album Solo, as well as an expanded live version of the soundtrack for Release, in the beautiful central rotunda of Eastern State Penitentiary.

Before and after the concert, audience members are encouraged to visit the film installation, located next to Al Capone’s cell.

Iyer's Historicity was named #1 Jazz Album of 2009 in the New York Times, NPR, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and the Village Voice Annual Critics Poll. Bill Morrison’s films and videos have been screened in theaters, museums, and concert halls worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Sundance Film Festival, and Tate Modern.

Steinway piano for this event has been selected from Jacobs Music Company.

As a separate event, Morrison’s film Decasia will be screened at the Penitentiary during the Live Arts Festival. Click here for more information.