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Graham Reynolds and Friends at the Continental Club

By Michael Barnes | Monday, January 31, 2011, 12:06 PM

A few words about Graham Reynolds, if I may.

I first encountered the composer, pianist and band leader in 1999. He scored a dance for the sprightly Andrea Ariel. Right away, it was clear his music defied conventions: Serious yet playful; intellectual, yet appealing first to the ear, then the heart.

Reynolds was — is — omnivorous, borrowing from every known tradition. He was just as happy lifting themes from TV theme songs as writing symphonies, operas, concertos, club music, esoteric noise and, especially, music for Austin’s warehouse theater scene, to which he brings unparalleled skills.

In short, Reynolds is, as violin prodigy Ruby Jane put it on Saturday night at the Continental Club: “A genius.”

Consider this: That very night, he played for Robert Wilson, among the world’s leading experimental theater artists and a University of Texas ex, at the Blanton Museum of Art gala. The normally reticent Wilson gave him a big bear hug.

Then he skittered down to South Congress Avenue for three sets at a packed Continental Club, mostly zooming off into musical space, as inspired by Duke Ellington. (Jane revealed her vocal potential in a terse version of “Satin Doll.”)

My date that night, Eugene Sepulveda, has been a Reynolds fan since he collaborated with choreographer Stephen Mills and visual artist Trenton Doyle Hancock on the astonishing Ballet Austin creation “Cult of Color: Call to Color,” one of the most sophisticated bits of culture this city has ever witnessed.

Sepulveda introduced me to a covey of young musicians form Mother Falcon who have worked closely with Reynolds lately, although I must admit, in the club din, I didn’t memorize their names. I’m hoping that I learn more about them soon.

Next to me during the thrilling climax of the last set, as Reynolds forced the piano to do the impossible, I stood next to Ariel herself. We smiled. It’s a been an amazing run.

Other journalists have written more astutely about Reynolds. I’m just reconnecting. As I type this, I’m listening to his CD “The Difference Engine.” Hard not to imagine that Reynolds’ music will be remembered long after all of us have abandoned this earthly plane.

Photo: Jay Janner

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