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The Music of Frank Zappa Comes to Ojai
Gail Zappa Joins "The World of Frank Zappa" Symposium

UPDATED May 25, 2010 – Ojai, CA –  Frank Zappa, America’s great musical iconoclast and innovator, once said “a composer is a guy who goes around forcing his will on unsuspecting air molecules, often with the assistance of unsuspecting musicians.” Famous to some for his rock band “The Mothers of Invention,” and to others for his sharp tongue and avant-garde classical music, Zappa enjoyed a legendary career that spanned more than 30 years and astonished the world by breaching the barriers of musical genres.

At the 2010 Ojai Music Festival (June 10-13) patrons will have a unique opportunity to experience Zappa’s music and learn more about his legacy. On Friday afternoon, June 11, the Festival Symposium will address “The World of Frank Zappa.” His widow, Gail Zappa, will be among the panelists connected with Zappa who will discuss his genre-bending career. Also present will be Dietmar Wiesner of the Ensemble Modern, recounting the group’s tours and their recordings with Zappa in the 1990s; Ian Underwood a member of the Mothers of Invention; Todd Yvega, Zappa’s right-hand man with respect to the Synclavier; and Steve Vai, electric guitarist, also former Zappa bandmember. The Symposium will be held at Matilija Auditorium at the Matilija Junior High School.  Tickets can be purchased in advance online at OjaiFestival.org.

Whatever the field – philosophy, politics, social criticism, rock, classical music, or film – Frank Zappa was a gifted maverick. Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1940, he wrote rock, jazz, electronic, orchestral, and musique concrète works. During his career he appeared as a solo artist, directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. Bestowed with a keen interest in music from an early age, he became conversant in everything from doo-wop to the “serious” music of classical composers Bartok and Stravinsky, and avant-garde pioneers Varèse and Schoenberg. 

The Friday night concert on June 11, 8:00 p.m. at the Libbey Bowl, will juxtapose two works by Varèse (Density and Octandre) with selections from two albums by Zappa (‘Greggery Peccary & Other Persuasions’ and ‘The Yellow Shark’). ‘The Yellow Shark’ was recorded by Frank Zappa and the Ensemble Modern in 1992 and was the last Zappa album released before his death in 1993. 

This year’s Festival will mark the first appearance in Ojai of the Frankfurt-based group Ensemble Modern, described by The New Yorker as “the best contemporary new music ensemble.” Included will be soloists: Hermann Kretzschmar, a pianist since 1985, who also toured with Zappa; Megumi Kasakawa, viola; Patrick Judt, who has worked with the ensemble since 2006; pianist Ueli Wiget, a member since 1986; and Dietmar Wiesner, flute and a founding member of the Ensemble Modern.

A special “Zappa Package” is offered to those who want to immerse themselves in the life and work of this extraordinary musician.  The package includes ticket to the Friday afternoon Symposium; a pre-concert dinner with other Zappa friends at Jester’s Pub; and the Friday night concert for $100 per person (reserved seats) or $70 for lawn. Prior to the concert there will be a pre-concert lecture featuring Mr. Kretzschmar and Mike Lang, Los Angeles freelance studio pianist who worked with Zappa on several recordings.

Visit OjaiFestival.org for detailed programming information, multimedia video/audio clips, artist biographies, and more.  Audiences are invited and encouraged to participate in all Festival events and can turn to the web site OjaiFestival.org for help in planning, or contact (805) 646-2094 for more information and to make reservations.