Terry Riley at Morgan Salon

Terry Riley

Morgan Salon

April 15, 2023

Terry Riley – keyboards and vocals

Gyan Riley – guitar

Morgan Fisher – keyboards

Sara Miyamoto – percussion, keyboards

Seeing Terry Riley, one of the most impressive modern composers and performers, in an intimate setting, was very special. Riley brought a vast world of music with him to the show. As a maestro of amazing works since the early 1960s, he has composed for and performed with an amazing range of full-size orchestras, chamber ensembles like boundary-leaping Kronos Quartet, traditional Indian music masters, and his own experimental electronic solo keyboard work, just for starters.

No single intro could do justice to the vastness of his vision. Several of his works are genuine landmarks of minimalism and pioneering works with electronic experimentation. He influenced several generations of musicians from all genres. Better to listen and behold. In the smaller venue of Morgan Salon, he also tapped his deep well of musical inspiration to create, in duets and trios, a musical space with huge vistas.

Starting out with vibrant, almost bluesy, duet with his son, Gyan, on guitar, it was fascinating to see the spontaneous interaction of the two. They searched, pushed, backed off, and found intriguing sounds in a snippet from the longer conversation of their many collaborations. The second song was a panoply of musical inspiration. In Riley’s keyboard playing, one can hear modern jazz, show tunes, film soundtracks, modal jazz, and classical music all rolled into one. He pulls from a broad consciousness where difference is less important than connection, unity, and sheer delight in how sound can be arranged in the most unexpected and pleasing ways.

Having studied classical Hindustani singing, Riley sang several numbers with the unique microtonal shading and mantra-like fluidity of classic Indian vocal music. Riley sang with minimal percussion, which added to the sense of his playing coming from other musical spheres. The final number of the first set was with Fisher. Both keyboards interacting over rolling tones, unique settings, and intriguing tonalities created a fitting tribute to the full potential of electronic keyboards.

The second set featured more Indian singing, and another tune with his son on guitar and Miyamoto on percussion. The tunes moved from pensive to rollicking with a strong sense of experimental fun often built up from layers of loops. The solo number featured Riley on Riley on Riley, all built from the full possibility of the keyboard. Visually, it was one keyboard, but aurally, it was a cosmos. 

Though Riley started songs following his inclinations, Fisher started one song in the second set, which Riley couldn’t help but jump in on. They explored startling lines, layering sounds, motions, and sonic complexities. Though all the tunes were wonderful, their duet was the high point of the show.

Musicians who have explored so deeply into the world of music leave a powerful resonance. Maybe it’s the feeling of having the musical world laid at your feet, or your ears, or maybe it’s the intensity of so many sounds presented so holistically, comfortably, intimately. Whatever it is, hopefully, Riley will play again soon in Tokyo, and Morgan Salon is the perfect place to hear his musical consciousness at work.