By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

The Civic Music Association wraps up its 2007-08 season with a 7:30 p.m. concert on Friday by the Ahn Trio at Sheslow Auditorium at Drake University. Tickets, $15 and $35, are available through IowaTix.com.

Ahn Trio tests boundaries of classical music with new CD

Born in Korea and trained at Julliard, the Ahn Trio first reached national acclaim for their classical music when they graced the cover of Time magazine in 1987 as part of a story about Asian-American whiz kids. Twenty-one years later, the group of sisters — Lucia Ahn (piano), Angella Ahn (violin) and Maria Ahn (cello) — have become a mainstay on the classical music scene and are among its more progressive groups helping to bridge the gap between classical and popular music audiences while maintaining their integrity as classical musicians.

Their fifth and newest CD, “Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac,” a mix of established works by Kenji Bunch, Michael Nyman and Astor Piazzolla, as well as arrangements by rock legend David Bowie and jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, might be their best work to date, though it’s difficult to say because each album they record is noticeably different from the last. Their debut album for Sony BMG Masterworks not only includes the contributions of singer-songwriter Susie Suh, but also four bonus tracks featuring remixes by Tao of Sound (title track), DJ Spooky (“Song of the Land”), Superdrive (“This is Not America”) and Ra.D (“My Funny Valentine”).

“It’s something very personal and exciting,” Angella Ahn said. “We produced it on our own, it includes traditional and modern recordings, and we are enjoying going in a new direction with the rock production experience. It’s an album anyone can listen to and enjoy in a relaxed manner.”

The group’s violinist said she hopes the album appeals to fans of classical and popular music. She said classical music sometimes intimidates people, but it shouldn’t.

“We’ve always been real believers that classical music is for everyone. All music is for everyone. Classical music is incredible. Once people hear it and experience it they usually love it. So we’ve always been open and inclusive, but I don’t know if we’re doing anything different or rebellious,” she said.

What is different about the Ahn Trio is its ability to blur the lines of classical and popular music without alienating purists while attracting casual observers.

“We live in a world where genres blur all the time,” Angella Ahn said. “This whole idea of labeling music was created by marketing people, but when you talk to musicians they think all music is good music.”

Another reality of the modern world of music is that an artist’s image plays a significant role in its success. Though she blushes at the idea that she and her sisters possess a certain sex appeal, Angella Ahn admits that image can help further an artist’s career. The Ahn Trio, for example, has appeared in such magazines as Vogue and GQ.

“Of course we’re three girls and we care about fashion and looking nice,” she said. “But we’re much more about the music.”

Outdoor summer fest lineups announced

• Function in the Junction — Held Thursdays 6-8 p.m. in Valley Junction, West Des Moines; free. Comfort Zone (May 1), Cinco de Mayo celebration with Latino Pride and The Tony Valdez Large Band (May 3), Jonny & the Rectifiers (May 8), Blues Bureau (May 15), One Nite Stand (May 22), Freestyle (May 29). The series runs through Oct. 2.

• Fridays at the Fountain — West Glen Town Center Fountain Plaza, West Des Moines, 5:30-8 p.m.; $5. Dick Prall (May 30), Towncrier (June 6), Bound2Be (June 13), Hello Dave (June 20) and Jemstate (June 27). Through July 25.

• Blues Before Sunset — Fridays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in front of the State Historical Building in the East Village; free. Sarah Oltrogge, event coordinator, said in a statement, “This year we’re focusing on exposing the audience to new talent, so a lot of the names they see might not be familiar to them.” Hot Tamale & the Red Hots (June 6), The Andy Schneider One-Man Band (June 13), Blues Bureau (June 20), Jonny & the Rectifiers (June 27), Lady Blue (July 11), Bob Pace Band with Steve George (July 18), Erick Hovey Band (July 25) and Bo Ramsey (Aug. 1).

Scene notes

Local R&B group One Nite Stand has a new lead singer, Zack Williams. The Queens, N.Y., native started singing at his grandmother’s church at the age of 9, and has performed on television. He was a semi-finalist on Dick Clark’s “Your Big Break” in Los Angeles. … Tony Tarbox called from the Channel Q studio to tell us that 105.1 FM is now playing one or two songs by local bands every hour during the day. “There’s room for it,” said Tarbox, who used to host “The Garage,” an all-local music show on Channel Q on Sunday nights. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” … The 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge kicks off with the first round of competition on Thursday at Zimm’s at 8 p.m. Five local bands will each play a 30-minute set. … Cirque du Soleil performs “Saltimbanco” Thursday through Sunday at Wells Fargo Arena. Tickets are $41 to $91. … Central College in Pella hosts the Joe Martin Quartet on Friday at 8 p.m. in the Maytag Student Center. Martin, a New York City jazz bassist, is a Pella native. Admission to the concert is free to the public. Call (641) 628-5334. … Folk singer Dennis Warner, a staple of the former Lighthouse Coffeehouse in West Des Moines, plays the Anchor Coffee House at Westminster Church in Des Moines on Saturday at 7 p.m. Beverages and desserts will be available. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 274-1534. … Kansas City jazz and jump blues band the Grand Marquis make their Des Moines debut on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Vaudeville Mews. Admission is $6. … Glen Phillips, former lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket, plays the Civic Center’s Temple Theater in the Temple for Performing Arts on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Phillips is on tour to promote his new CD, “The Secrets of the New Explorers.” Jonathan Kingham opens. Tickets, $26.50, are on sale through Ticketmaster. … This month’s “Live From Studio One” performances held Mondays at 7 p.m. on KUNI at include Lojo Russo (Monday), Dennis Stroughmatt (April 21) and Carolyn Cruso (April 28). … Two notable all-ages rock shows this week at the House of Bricks: From First to Last, School Yard Heroes, Automatic Loveletter and Dropping Daylight on Monday at 5 p.m. $14. On Tuesday at 5 p.m. it’s Emery. $12. … Multi-instrumentalist and beat poet Bitch and The Exciting Conclusion play Tuesday at 10 p.m. at the Vaudeville Mews. Admission is $7. … Inspirational singer-songwriter David Bailey will perform and talk about his battle with brain cancer on April 29 at 7 p.m. at Hoyt Sherman Theater. The event sponsored by Iowa Radiology is free to the public. … Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music” plays Wells Fargo Arena May 16-18. Tickets, $12-$25, are on sale now. … “American Idol” finalist Josh Gracin plays Prairie Meadows May 25. Tickets, $20, are on sale now through Ticketmaster. CV

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