The SF Jazz fest is in full swing (sorry, we couldn't help the pun). Thursday and Friday the Herbst Theater will hose the world premiere of Anomaly, a new piece by Glenn Kotche which was commissioned for the Kronos Quartet by the Angel Stoyanof Commission Fund. Although Kotche may be most familiar as the drummer for Wilco, his percussion career has more breadth and depth than most other rock drummers. Kotche answered questions about the piece, and its connection the Bay Area for us below. SFist also has one pair of tickets to give away to each night’s show. Enter by 8 pm Wed. night. Winners will be notified via email and can pick tickets up the night of the show

What inspired Anomaly?
Several things - initially just watching Kronos perform and getting ideas on how to expand upon the overlooked similarities between a string quartet and the drum set. Then the passing of my closest uncle inspired some improvised vibraphone lines that ended up supplying many of the melodic motifs of the piece. Also, learning about the man in whose honor it was commissioned - Angel Stoyanof. Meeting and getting to know his family and his life a bit. All of these things played key roles in the way I approached the piece and how it all came together.

Photo by Richie Wireman

How was composing it different from other music you've worked on?
Well, everything I've composed up to this point has been for percussion - so that's the biggest difference. I had been exposed to writing for other voices while in college and when Kronos approached me I was at a point where I was really curious about expanding some of the rhythmic ideas that I've been dealing with in my percussion writing to other instruments and colors.

What should the audience pay particular attention to?
I hope they'll just enjoy listening to it. But, in two of the 7 movements the members of the quartet are playing quite a bit of non-traditional percussion. I think these unusual colors will contrast nicely with some of the other - prettier movements. One thing they might notice is how the members of the quartet are interdependent on each other for the execution of certain melodies and rhythmic lines. Rhythmically, it's a tough piece. Also, there are several points where the drums and strings are playing similar parts - so it might be interesting to notice how those ideas translate between the two instrument families.

Tell us about working with the Kronos Quartet
It really is an honor - something I never expected and feel extremely fortunate to be a part of. They have set an amazing example for any group or musician - their dedication to creating new works and constantly expanding the idea of what a string quartet is and is capable of is inspiring on so many levels. And they're all super nice and down to earth guys, very easy to get along with, actually everyone in their organization is - not always the case with people as talented as they are.

What was the most unexpected thing about this piece/ working with Kronos?
I think getting the idea to write a piece for them - with optional percussion and making it something rhythmically vibrant, and then getting a call from David Harrington requesting the exact same thing. Must have been meant to be.

Are there any San Francisco influences in the piece?
The big one is Angel Stoyanof - as I mentioned earlier. And of course Kronos themselves. I wrote every detail with them in mind. If it was not written specifically for them - I would never have been able to make it as rhythmically complex as I wanted and did make it. Also, knowing that it would be premiered at the SF Jazz Festival all along I think influenced a sort of freedom and democracy in the piece that I feel is a key inherent quality of jazz.

What's your take on the music scene here?
Besides the obvious rich musical history, most of my experiences are from coming here so many times with Wilco. This has always been a sort of second home for us. The response and support that the band gets in the Bay Area is and always has been incredible for us.

Any tips for other musicians?
Stay curious. Follow your heart.

Other than this week, when will Anomaly be performed?
That remains to be seen. Hopefully next year in Chicago and New York.
Wilco tours an incredible amount and Kronos tours even more than we do!
I'll happily make the time to play it as much as possible with this group though.