University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Cellist and award-winning composer Stephen Katz has charted new territory for the rhythmic potential of the cello. The groundbreaking technique he calls “Flying Pizzicato” picks up where guitar playing leaves off, taking listeners into the realm of highly rhythmic, individual-note, strummed counterpoint. He also uses live looping electronics to generate dynamic orchestral textures. In other words, he composes and performs soulful cello pieces that juggle two or three “voices” at a time, to make music that simultaneously lays grooves, weaves tunes, and lifts spirits. Stephen has premiered his cello compositions at Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City, and performed internationally with the Paul Winter Consort, Essex String Quartet and more. A veteran cello teacher, Katz has been a regular workshop presenter at the New Directions Cello Festival since its inception in 1995. In addition to this performance, he will spend two weeks as an artist-in-residence at Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute as part of our Arts in Healthcare Initiative. Equipped with a laptop, microphone, and cello, he will work with patients, families and staff in the hospitals to create an original composition that reflects the hospital experience.