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"The human mind is not a dignified organ, and I do not see how we can exercise it sincerely except through eclecticism. —E.M. ForsterFor Immediate Release - New York, NY - On Jan. 2nd at 7pm, Kick off 2026 with a night of genre-defying sound and fearless creativity. The evening opens with Gene Pritsker’s Sound Liberation, performing an electrifying set that blends classical, hip-hop, and experimental sound worlds. Their performance includes he premiere of Pritsker’s powerful suite 'Gnawa Gnaw' featuring the poetry of Sista Zock.
The night continues with a full set by the stunning Sahara von Hattenberger / Joanne Kang Duo (cello and piano), exploring modern lyricism and bold expression. Their program features evocative works by Andrea Casarrubios, Gene Pritsker, Fazıl Say, and Randall Woolf — a journey across contemporary voices from around the world.
A night of music without borders. Innovation without compromise.
Sahara is the co-founder of "duo étrange" (a soprano/cello duo) that focuses on accessible contemporary music. She released her debut solo album in 2024 entitled "1Q84" for cello and jazz piano trio; a re-imagining of the Claude Bolling Suite alongside 4 new commissions. She is a member of the Chamber Orchestra of New York and plays regularly with other NYC-based orchestras like the New York Pops and American Composers Orchestra. She has been a recipient of 5 different Canada Council for the Arts grants to support new music, as well as a Chamber Music America grant this year to commission NYC based composer Kebra Seyoun-Charles. Her mission is to elevate new classical music.
Joanne Kang is a New York–based Australian pianist praised for her “fleet-fingered virtuosity” and stylistic versatility. She has performed internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist, collaborating with artists and ensembles including The American String Quartet, the American Modern Opera Company, members of the Silk Road Ensemble, and the late Kaija Saariaho in the world premiere of Semafor. From 2020–2023 she was pianist of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, hailed as “one of the strongest ensembles in the city” (New York Classical Review).
She has appeared in venues across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, Seoul Arts Center, among many others. Joanne holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where she received the Harold Bauer and Helen Cohn Awards.
Sound Liberation, an eclectic chamber ensemble/band, was formed in 1996. The band has gained exposure in the New York city area and has generated a loyal core following playing such notable venues as Joe's Pub, Wetlands, Knitting Factory, The Blue Note, Downtime, New Music Cafe, Cutting Room, Le Poisson Rouge and many other performing spaces.
Sound Liberation's musical philosophy, developed by band founder Gene Pritsker, is based upon "ending the segregation of sound vibration (i.e. musical Genres)". The group incorporates its philosophy by performing compositions that encompass a diverse range of musical genre, heavily influenced by hip-hop and rock rhythms. This enables one to hear elements from classical music to Jazz to music of various cultures at a Sound Liberation show.
“Pritsker’s band is Wagnerian in its concept and ecumenical in delivery, inviting all to join on stage for the journey to freedom.”
“Sound Liberation comes across as more of a worldview than just a bunch of musicians getting together…“
- Jazz Weekly, by George W. Harris • June 9, 2025
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Listing Information
Composers Concordance
Double Feature
Sound Liberation & Sahara von Hattenberger / Joanne Kang Duo
Friday, Jan. 2nd, 2025 at 7pm
ShapeShifter Lab
837 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
TICKETS
$28
Composers
Andrea Casarrubios, Gene Pritsker, Fazıl Say, Randall Woolf
Performers
Sound Liberation
Gene Pritsker - guitar
Sista Zock - poetry/voice
Franz Hackl - trumpet
Larry Goldman - bass
Lee Jeffryes - drums
Sahara von Hattenberger / Joanne Kang Duo
Sahara von Hattenberger - cello
Joanne Kang - piano
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
ShapeShifter Plus, 156 28th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232-1608, United States
Tickets
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