Ensemble Mik Nawooj

Hip Hop and Classical Genres Collide

Red Poppy group-artist-in-residence Ensemble Mik Nawooj (EMN) has been turning heads in the Bay Area Music scene with their innovative collision of classical and hip hop styles. The ensemble’s leader, composer and pianist JooWan Kim believes that hybridization, or the fusing together of musical styles, is the mechanism through which music has transformed so radically over the last century. In EMN’s case, JooWan Kim’s particular fusion of classical instrumentation’s rigorousness and technical variety with classic hip hop’s lyrical dynamism and captivating beats, allows each genre to surge to new and unforeseen heights of ingenuity. For this show at the Poppy, EMN will present their re-imaginings of Wu-Tang Clan classics “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Wu Tang Clan Ain’t Nothing to Fuck Wit” from Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” and “Who Am I” from Doggystyle, as well as other original music from their upcoming debut studio album.

Ensemble Mik Nawooj’s performance is supported by the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

Ensemble Mik Nawooj is:

JooWan Kim – composition, piano
Do D.A.T. & Sandman – MCs
Shauna Fallihee – soprano
Anna Washburn -violin
Lewis Patzner – cello
Carmen Lemoine – flute
Jeannie Psomas – clarinet
Eugene Theriault – bass
Lyman Alexander – drums

For this show, fellow Red Poppy group-in-residence The View from Bernal Hill will open for EMN, adding their own “chamber flavored jazz” to the mix. Freshly back from their first West Coast tour, the trio will deliver their usual outpouring of positive energy as they perform songs from their first EP “We Are No Beautiful Children,” providing an exquisite prelude to what is sure to be an exhilarating musical whirlwind of an evening.

The View from Bernal Hill is:

Camille Mai – piano, voice
Nahuel Bronzini – guitar
Schuyler Karr – bass

Check out EMN’s website and concert video.
Find The View from Bernal Hill on Facebook here.
Join the official Facebook event and invite all your friends!

Admission: $10-15. Doors at 7:00pm Show at 7:30.

Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.