Chris Chalfant's Book of Unstandards: Anthology of Music
The book is a collection of 128 scores , Chris Chalfant wrote over the past thirty years. "Musicians, listeners and the music industry at-large tend to pigeon-hole artists into a narrow area of expression. I purposely have chosen music for this collection which represents all styles, genres and levels of complexity which allows the player to get a broader sense of my life’s work. When I write, I think more poetically, without limiting myself to the restrictions of western rhythms and pitch orientation. I find myself more and more being drawn to traditional world music, where the concepts of rhythm, tonality, tuning and cadence don’t necessarily fit into the mold of the western music. Knowing these alternative systems gives me a much wider gamut of musical and philosophical possibilities." said author Chalfant. She adds: "I am particularly interested in the sense of “one” in African traditions. The “one” refers not only to the self, but also to the community. An individual, through their music, stays open to what the community has to offer, while maintaining a strong sense of self. I keep in mind this broad sense of “one” as the premise for my music. Also, the Japanese Buddhist philosophy of “living under the blade” - meaning being present at any given moment, and that “this” moment may be our last - also guides me in my music. This moment-to-moment awareness is the essence of what true improvisation is about, especially when playing with others. Playing with musicians who also practice this mindfulness allows for an infinite possibility of sound. The music stays alive; it breathes each time it is performed. "
Chris Chalfant was born in Akron, Ohio and currently resides in New York. She began composing at age fourteen and has won four awards for her compositions. To date she has written over 400 pieces, including piano, vocal, jazz, classical, sound-movement poetry, multi-media, guitar, choir and others. In 2003 Czech Republic National Radio aired the compositions that she performed at the Prague Mezinárodní Festival Jazzového Piana. Her works have also been performed at the Leukerbad International Composers Conference, Vision Festival, and Femme de Piano Festival. In addition, her works have been performed and recorded by the Lifetime Visions Orchestra, Noah Howard, Bobby Few, Graham Haynes and others. Her books include “First Performances,” “Children’s Songs” and “Listening Along the Path.”