Prominently established as a unique and masterful instrumentalist, double bassist Edgar Meyer delights his audiences as both a vibrant classical performer and innovative composer. Recognized for his uniqueness in the field by a MacArthur Award in 2002, Meyer's unparalleled technique and musicianship in combination with his gift for composition have brought him to the fore, where he is appreciated by a vast, varied audience.
CAPA will present Edgar Meyer at the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St., on Friday, April 4, at 8 p.m.
From 1986-1992, Meyer was a member of the progressive bluegrass band "Strength in Numbers," whose members included Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck and Mark O'Connor.
Meyer then became involved with an inventive trio project with Béla Fleck on banjo and Mike Marshall on mandolin, performing original compositions marrying bluegrass, classical and other traditional styles. In October 1997, the Fleck/Marshall/Meyer trio opened the 1997-98 season of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in conjunction with the release of their disc, Uncommon Ritual.
Subsequently, Meyer joined with violinist Joshua Bell and legendary bluegrass musicians Sam Bush and Mike Marshall to form a quartet featuring a unique fusion of classical and bluegrass musical styles. The 1999 album, Short Trip Home, was nominated for a Best Classical Crossover Album Grammy Award and the group was subsequently invited to perform at the 42nd annual Grammy Award ceremony.
Meyer and colleagues Yo-Yo Ma and Mark O' Connor have been widely acclaimed for the 1996 release of Appalachia Waltz, which soared to the top of the charts and remained there for 16 weeks. Appalachia Waltz toured extensively in the U.S., and the trio was featured both on the David Letterman Show and the televised 1997 Inaugural Gala.
The follow-up recording, Appalachian Journey, was released in March 2000 and took them not only to major venues across the U.S. but also to Europe and parts of Asia. Appalachian Journey won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album that season.
As a solo classical bassist, Meyer has released a concerto album with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra featuring Bottesini's Gran Duo with Joshua Bell, Meyer's Double Concerto for Bass and Cello with Yo-Yo Ma, Bottesini's Bass Concerto No. 2, and Meyer's Concerto in D for Bass along with an acclaimed album of Bach's Unaccompanied Suites for Cello.
Meyer has also performed as a guest bass player for an assortment of recording artists such as Garth Brooks, Bruce Cockburn, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Hank Williams, Jr., Emmylou Harris, James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, T-Bone Burnett, Reba McIntyre, the Indigo Girls, Travis Tritt and The Chieftains.
His latest recording, Edgar Meyer, showcases Meyer on multiple instruments, layering tracks of piano, banjo, mandolin, dobro, and guitar with his masterful double bass in 14 new works of his own creation. Visit www.edgarmeyer.com for more information on the artist.
Tickets for the Columbus performance are $32.50, $27.50, $22.50 and $17.50 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office, 39 E. State St., all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, call 614-431-3600 or 614-469-0939.