The Art of Being Present, with Tyshawn Sorey

Tyshawn Sorey describes his musical output as “a bundle of contradictions” — and who would know better? He’s a riveting drummer whose dynamic range runs from cyclonic intensity to whisper-like calm. As a Pulitzer-winning composer, he favors a glacial pace and the subtlest of movements, but also knows how to deliver a thunderous jolt. What unites all of his work is a call to focus the attention, for listeners and musical participants alike. So in this lively conversation, we dig into that imperative — as it applies both to Members… Dont!, a principled tribute to Max Roach; and “For Marilyn Crispell,” a piano concerto dedicated to one great pianist (Crispell) and designed for another (Aaron Diehl). We’ll also touch on the value of an academic perch, the friction within arts institutions, and the lessons imparted from elders like Roscoe Mitchell.