red fish blue fish

The New York Times calls red fish blue fish a “dynamic percussion ensemble from the University of California.” Founded more than 25 years ago by Steven Schick, the San Diego-based ensemble performs, records, and premieres works from the last 85 years of western percussion’s rich history. The group works regularly with living composers from every continent. Recent projects include the world premiere of Roger Reynolds’ Sanctuary and the American premiere of James Dillon’s epic Nine Rivers cycle with the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE). In the Summer of 2011, red fish blue fish collaborated with George Crumb, Dawn Upshaw and Peter Sellars to premiere the staged version of The Winds of Destiny. Eighth Blackbird invited red fish blue fish to join them in performances of works by American icons John Cage and Steve Reich at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. The New York Times called their “riveting” John Cage performance the “highlight” of the program. In 2012 red fish blue fish presented four concerts of percussion music alongside Percussion Group Cincinnati at the John Cage Centennial Festival in Washington, D.C., where they performed highlights from Cage’s collection of percussion works.

Recordings of the percussion chamber music of Iannis Xenakis and Roger Reynolds on Mode Records have been praised by critics around the world.  Their recording of the early percussion works of Karlheinz Stockhausen received Deutscheschallplattenkritikpreis for the best recording of contemporary music in 2015.

red fish blue fish has had impact on new music percussion both by virtue of their many performances and acclaimed recordings, but also through their commitment to research and pedagogy as a resident ensemble at the University of California, San Diego. The numerous alumni of red fish blue fish now hold major teaching and artistic positions throughout the world.