Chris DeBlasio (1959-1993)
Twenty years ago in New York Mimi Stern-Wolfe, a pianist/conductor/impressario, started producing concerts of music by composers with AIDS, roughly timed to coincide with World AIDS Day. Among those who attended performances of their music were Chris DeBlasio, Kevin Oldham and Lee Gannon (all now deceased), as well as the still very vital Fred Hersch. A CD of highlights was released a few years ago, and a chronology of the series is available at www.ArtistsWithAIDS.org.
The series returns again this year on Sunday December 6 at St. Marks in the Bowery. The program features songs cycles of the late Chris DeBlasio, including the landmark “All The Way Through Evening” with lyrics by author and poet Perry Brass.
