To call the four pianists featured in the Impulse Artist Series: In Their Own Element emerging artists is only partly fair: Each has performed internationally and received numerous awards, so theyre hardly county-fair prize winners. Hosted by Shepherd School-trained pianist Jade Simmons, the series features Nigerian pianist Sodi Braide, who works with a large repertoire covering a host of styles and periods, and Phyllis Chen, who practices as a toy pianist, composer and performance artist. Also participating is Brazilian-born Vanessa Cunha, fresh from a recital at Carnegie Hall, and concert pianist Cameron Smith, who recently completed his doctorate at Rice. The four will perform together as well as in solo recitals at Wade Wilson Art surrounded by the work of American abstract painter Danielle Frankenthal. Theyll demonstrate their refined techniques and chat about what its like to be rising stars not emerging artists anymore. All four pianists will perform during todays concert. Each will also perform a solo concert (Braide tomorrow, Cunha on Thursday, Smith on Friday and Chen on Saturday). 7 p.m. daily. Through September 20. 4411 Montrose. For information, call 832-247-6647 or visit www.impulseartistseries.org. $20.
Tue., Sept. 16, 7 p.m., 2008
This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2008.