Melinda Rice (Violin), Ryan Tanaka (Piano), Chris Votek (Cello),
Formed in 2005, the A-Tribute Ensemble largely focuses on performances utilizing improvisational forms. Borrowing ideas from jazz, folk, world, and classical musics, the group performs in a wide variety of styles ranging from the old to the new. Since its conception, the ensemble has developed several unique skills in music, ranging from rhythmic phasing techniques, 12-tone harmonies, improvised structures (fugues, dialogues, narratives), and improvisations based off of classical musical works.
Contact ryant at ryangtanaka.com for performances or commissions -- the ensemble is available for formal concert performances, background music for various events, or for educational concerts.
Press/Reviews
"...your trio really broke into new grounds in improvisation I thought that has been waiting to be explored. So many things were happening between each of you that I thought the level of listening and development of ideas was extremely imaginative that I was almost humbled by it...It was also done, with the element of play and fun yet there was depth in how things would appear and sink into the fabric..." - Kraig Grady 07/14/07
Samples
One Minute Form (2007)
Performed by the A-Tribute Ensemble. March 14, 2007 @ CalArts Roy O' Disney Hall
Fugue Improvisation in G Minor (2007)
Performed by the A-Tribute Ensemble. March 14, 2007 @ CalArts Roy O' Disney Hall
Phasing (2007)
Performed by the A-Tribute Ensemble. March 14, 2007 @ CalArts Roy O' Disney Hall
Improvisations Based on Béla Bartók's "Mikrokosmos"
Performed by the A-Tribute Ensemble. March 14, 2007 @ CalArts Roy O' Disney Hall
This example is part of a larger project which can be found here.