Formed in 1992, the Bang on a Can All-Stars are recognized worldwide for their ultra-dynamic live performances and recordings of today’s most innovative music. Freely crossing the boundaries between classical, jazz, rock, world and experimental music, this six-member amplified ensemble has consistently forged a distinct category-defying identity, taking music into uncharted territories. Performing each year throughout the U.S. and internationally, the All-Stars have shattered the definition of what concert music is today.
Together, the All-Stars have worked in unprecedented close collaboration with some of the most important and inspiring musicians of our time, including Steve Reich, Ornette Coleman, Burmese circle drum master Kyaw Kyaw Naing, Tan Dun, DJ Spooky, and many more. The group’s celebrated projects include their landmark recordings of Brian Eno’s ambient classic Music for Airports and Terry Riley’s In C, as well as live performances with Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, Don Byron, Iva Bittova, Thurston Moore, Owen Pallett and others. The All-Stars were awarded Musical America’s Ensemble of the Year and have been heralded as “the country’s most important vehicle for contemporary music” by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Current and recent project highlights include “In C”, a new dance collaboration with Sasha Waltz & Guests based on Terry Riley’s minimalist classic; Can Dance, a brand new multi-media concert pairing composers and choreographers; a new recording of legendary composer/performer Meredith Monk’s MEMORY GAME; Julia Wolfe’s Flower Power for Bang on a Can All-Stars and orchestra, a multi media concert exploring the sonic landscape of the late 1960s; Road Trip, an immersive and visually stunning concert collaboratively-composed by Michael Gordon, David Lang, and Julia Wolfe to commemorate the 30+ year journey of Bang on a Can; the touring performances and recording of Julia Wolfe’s Pulitzer Prize winning Anthracite Fields for the All-Stars and guest choir; Julia Wolfe’s acclaimed Steel Hammer, plus a moving theatrically staged collaboration with SITI Company and director Anne Bogart; Field Recordings, a major multi-media project and CD/DVD now featuring 30 commissioned works by Tyondai Braxton, Mira Calix, Anna Clyne, Bryce Dessner, Florent Ghys, Michael Gordon, Jóhann Jóhannsson, David Lang, Christian Marclay, Steve Reich, Todd Reynolds, Julia Wolfe, and more; the Lincoln Center Festival 2017 world premiere of Cloud River Mountain, a collaboration featuring Chinese superstar singer Gong Linna; the world premiere performance and recording of Steve Reich’s 2×5 including a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall, and much more. With a massive repertoire of works written specifically for the group’s distinctive instrumentation and style of performance, the All-Stars have become a genre in their own right. The All-Stars record on Cantaloupe Music and have released past recordings on Sony, Universal and Nonesuch.
Julia Wolfe’s Pulitzer Prize winning oratorio documents the history of coal in industrial-age America. Visuals by Jeff Sugg.
(with video)
David Lang’s newest work is a monumental meditation on how people might imagine the world, both before and after human existence. (with video)
David Lang’s newest work is a monumental meditation on how people might imagine the world, both before and after human existence. (with video)
The All-Stars honor their long relationship with Steve Reich in this performance of one of his most revered pieces.
Meticulously recreated, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s landmark recording, 1996, includes many of his monumental film
scores: The Last Emperor, The Sheltering Sky, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Celebrating the legendary composer’s 90th birthday year (2025), Bang on a Can All-Stars perform a new live
arrangement of Riley’s iconic and inspirational 1969 album.
Brian Eno’s 1978 Music for Airports, reimagined for performances with either the All-Stars sextet or an
expanded ensemble of local musicians and/or chorus.
This All-Stars performance showcases work by David Lang, Julia Wolfe, Michael Gordon, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Meredith Monk, Ornette Coleman, George Lewis, and more.
Julia Wolfe’s Flower Power, featuring Bang on a Can All-Stars + orchestra, is a musical and visual homage to the optimism,
idealism, and psychedelia of the 60s. (with video)
Julia Wolfe curates a concert to showcase some of the most creative and accomplished women composers working today.
For over 30 years, Bang on a Can has been breaking down the traditional barriers that exist in concert repertoire between composers, performers and concert-goers. Our innovative and aggressive approach to programming and presentation has created a large and vibrant international audience made up of people of all ages who are rediscovering the value of contemporary music.
Current and recent project highlights include “In C”, a new dance collaboration with Sasha Waltz & Guests based on Terry Riley’s minimalist classic; Can Dance, a brand new multi-media concert pairing composers and choreographers; a new recording of legendary composer/performer Meredith Monk’s MEMORY GAME; Julia Wolfe’s Flower Power for Bang on a Can All-Stars and orchestra, a multi media concert exploring the sonic landscape of the late 1960s and more…
