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Human freedom, compassion, musical statements

azz is one of the most vital and ever-changing musics in the world. Without continual innovation any artistic tradition can become lifeless. Jazz has always had the ability to cut across boundaries of time and space, revealing the unity among seemingly different cultures. There is a powerful relationship between tradition -- the continuity of culture -- and creative freedom of innovation through the spirit of improvisation.

- Chris Bakriges

Musician inspired by Matisse's 'Jazz'

Origionally Published Wednesday, December 16, 2009 By CORI URBAN

CHICOPEE - The sick-bed "painting with scissors" paper cut-outs French painter Henri Matisse created before his death and the text that accompanied them when they were published in 1947 inspired Elms College music lecturer and artist-in-residence Christopher G. Bakriges - a pianist, composer and educator - to create a musical reflection on the work.

"Teaching the Eye to Hear: Musical Reflections on Matisse's 'Jazz'" is Bakriges' musical interpretation of the artist's visual images. His son, violinist David C. Bakriges, is featured on the CD.

The series of 20 Matisse plates, collectively called "Jazz," "really stimulated me to look at his composition, form and color and really respond to that in a musical way," Bakriges said. "I could see what he was doing in my mind's eye and really respond to it musically."