Music

Gyan Riley
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Gyan Riley Trio

Pluck
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Terry Riley & Gyan Riley
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Sheet Music

Gyan Riley

Steam of Gratitude (2011)

Featuring Gyan Riley (guitar)

Gyan's first all solo classical guitar CD of original compositions, comprised entirely of dedications to J.S. Bach, John Dowland, Agustin Barrios Mangore, Egberto Gismonti, John McLaughlin, and Zoran Dukic. Tzadik Records.

REVIEWS:"With this collection, Riley shows himself to be a highly skilled performer of music that is both deeply personal and profoundly inspired. They truly are beautiful, in the most complex and nuanced definition of the word."
-Molly Sheridan, New Music Box

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Melismantra (2007)

Featuring Gyan Riley (guitar), Zakir Hussain (tabla), Tracy Silverman (violin), Scott Amendola (drums).

A fusion of acoustic experimental jazz with global overtones, especially African rhythms and Indian melodic modes.

REVIEWS: "...beautifully showcases his love of raga, jazz fusion and classic flamenco with simply phenomenal guitar playing. World class accompanists Tracy Silverman/electric violin, Scott Amendola/drums, and Zakir Hussain on tabla, catapult Riley's compositions to a level way beyond his years."
-KVMR Top Picks of 2007

"...his refined guitar patterns and sensitive melodic hooks have unexpected power and draw the listener in. For the CD's 55 minutes duration, I found myself engrossed."
"Riley demonstrates that he's an effortless distiller of prevailing influences."
-The Wire, January 2008

"...never less than enthralling."
-Oakland Magazine, July 2008

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Food for the Bearded (2002)

Featuring Gyan Riley (guitar), Tracy Silverman (viola), David Doll (percussion), Terry Riley (piano, vocals)

Gyan Riley debut album of original works, plus premiere recording of Piedad by Terry Riley, New Albion Label.

REVIEWS: "No matter how you present it, Food for the Bearded is one beautiful, heartwarming album. Gyan Riley comes through as a sensible instrumentalist and a composer as unclassifiable as his father, Terry Riley. Elements of Spanish classical, contemporary, French jazz, and Indian classical music all become part of [his] style. Gyan Riley emphasizes musicality over novelty without sacrificing creativity in the process. Recommended"
-Francois Couture, All Music Guide

"A magnificent first recording replete with imagination, passion and originality. Hats off, gentlemen. A genius."
-Guitarra Magazine

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Gyan Riley Trio

New York Sessions (2010)

Featuring Gyan Riley (guitar), Timba Harris (violin/viola), Ches Smith (percussion)

Jazz and classical traditions mingle with Indian, African, Spanish, and Eastern European influences. Virtuoso guitar playing, lyrical fiddling, and mind-bending percussion.

REVIEWS: "There's no way to pigeonhole the music of guitarist Gyan Riley and his trio. His music has a beauty all its own."
-San Francisco Examiner

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Pluck

Pluck (2011)

Featuring Gyan Riley (guitar), Wu Fei (guzheng)

Pluck is the first and self-titled release of a duo project with the wonderful guzheng player/singer/composer Wu Fei. They made this recording at the beginning of their collaboration in the Summer of 2011, along with a series of shows at The Stone, Barbès, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Both Wu and Riley are classically trained performers and composers who have also embraced various improvisational styles. Together they draw on a huge variety of traditions, including jazz, Indian raga, and Chinese, Spanish, and Western classical music.

REVIEWS: "Few stylistic boundaries are left intact in this collaboration..."
-NY Times

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Terry Riley & Gyan Riley

Terry Riley & Gyan Riley LIVE (2011)

Featuring Gyan Riley (guitar), Terry Riley (piano, vocals)

Terry and Gyan Riley have been performing together since the late 90's and have appeared in concert throughout the USA and Europe. This completely live release features some of their favorite moments from four different performances given over seven years.

"Nothing I have done can match the intuitive synchronicity we have shared many times on the stage. Gyan supplies a brilliant counterpoint to the strands and moods of these pieces, always surprising me with a virtuosity that serves and energizes his musical invention. I could not have dreamed up a better marriage of mind and spirit than this collaboration."
-Terry Riley

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Sheet Music Available for Purchase

All scores will be sent via email as PDF files. Some scores may also be available in the printed/bound form (please send email to info@gyanriley.com for specific requests/pricing).

Stream of Gratitude (2009)

In four movements (Prelude, Fugue, Sarabande, Gigue). Inspired by the music of J.S. Bach, particularly the 2nd Suite for Lute, BWV 997. Commissioned by the 2010 New York Guitar Festival.

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Irican (2008)

A catchy, driving, single-movement solo guitar work.

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Four Etudes for the Right Hand (2008)

Complete with pertinent preparatory exercises for each etude, the series explores the techniques of tremolo, cross-string trills, arpeggios in odd-numbered groupings, balancing voices in chords, and index finger "picking."

Videos: Etude 1, Etude 3, Etude 4

Shop Digital Download: GyanRiley.com $15