Talk about good vibrations.
The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition will present — as part of its “Celebrate: 20th Annual Spring Pier Art Show” — jazz vibraphone virtuoso Stefan Bauer, who fell in love with Brooklyn not only as a musician, but as a father, too.
“I take my cues from things happening around, and so what has happened to me in Brooklyn has influenced my music,” Bauer said.
Bauer visited New York for the first time in 1978 and again in 1991, both times to study under vibraphone masters. It was the second time around, while staying in Park Slope, that he fell in love with Brooklyn. He moved to the borough 11 years ago, raised two children here, and even composed a piece entitled “Coney Island,” inspired by an afternoon spent with his daughter at the People’s Playground in 2008—three days before Astroland closed.
Bauer said his experiences in the borough continue to shape his work, which is influenced by his love for all things creative.
“I’ve always dreamed of the confluence of different artistic branches, I feel inspired by that, because I love reading, I love good movies, I love photography, and I love music, of course,” said Bauer, who plays a unique instrument that resembles a xylophone with an array of resonating tubes under the bars.
Bauer’s played at the Pier Art Show six times before, and praises the waterfront warehouse’s acoustics. The May 20 performance will be the jazz musician’s first solo show at the venue.
Stefan Bauer at Celebrate: 20th Annual Spring Pier Art Show [499 Van Brunt Street, located on the pier in Red Hook] May 20, 3 pm.
Reach reporter Will Bredderman at (718) 260–4507 or e-mail him at wbredderman@cnglocal.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/Will_Bredderman
