Music Matters: Empire Wild ~ Americans in Paris

Featuring treasures from the American Songbook tradition juxtaposed with music by French composers from the early 20th century, Empire Wild brings both to life with original arrangements and a passion for finding common threads between disparate genres.

Empire Wild is a genre-bending, crossover ensemble founded by Mitchell Lyon and Ken Kubota, two Juilliard-trained cellists dedicated to exploring musical frontiers and pushing their instruments to the limit. The ensemble fuses pop, folk, jazz, and more into their innovative songwriting and composition. Honored with the Ambassador Prize in the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, Empire Wild has captivated audiences nationwide with their unique artistry. Their debut EP, Paper Seasons, showcases original songs that highlight their distinctive sound and instrumentation, and their live performances feature a mix of original music, inventive covers, and fresh takes on classical pieces. Recent performances include stops at prestigious venues like the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, the Harriman-Jewell concert series in Kansas City, and Lincoln Center’s Kaufman Music Center.

A reminder that all seating is first come, first served. There is no need to bring a paper ticket; simply give your name at the door.

Host or Publisher La Grua Center