Eyvind Kang


Eyvindur Y. Kang is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist. His primary instrument is viola, but has also performed on violin, tuba, keyboards and others.
In addition to his solo work, Kang has worked extensively with Bill Frisell and John Zorn. His wife and musical partner is vocalist Jessika Kenney.

Biography

Eyvindur Y. Kang was born 23 June 1971 in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. Kang says his family heritage is "a mixture of Icelandic, Danish and Korean." His mother is the Icelandic-Canadian scholar and writer Kristjana Gunnars. He was raised in Canada, Iceland, and the United States, and has since lived and worked in countries ranging from Italy to Iceland. He studied piano and violin as a child, and as a teen played bass guitar in a reggae band.
A recurring theme in his solo work is the "NADE", the meaning of which Kang is not willing to disclose. Referring titles include "Theme from the first NADE", "5th NADE/Invisible Man", "Theme from the sixth NADE" ; "Jewel of the NADE", "Mystic NADE" and "Harbour of the NADE". His preferred instrument is the viola.
In 2014 Kang visited Vossajazz in western Norway, for a gig with Bill Frisell's trio Beautiful Dreamers, including drummer Rudy Royston, for the opening concert. During the concert Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen joined in for a tune.

Discography

Solo albums

  • 1996: Sweetness of Sickness
  • 1996: 7 NADEs
  • 1998: Theater of Mineral NADEs
  • 2000: The Story of Iceland
  • 2002: Live Low To The Earth, In The Iron Age
  • 2003: Virginal Co Ordinates
  • 2007: Athlantis
  • 2007: The Yelm Sessions
  • 2011: Visible Breath
  • 2012: The Narrow Garden
  • 2012: Grass
  • 2019: Chirality
  • 2020: Ajaeng Ajaeng
  • 2021: Sonic Gnostic
  • 2025: ''Riparian''

    Collaborations

;With Joe McPhee
  • 1996: Common Threads
;With Bill Frisell
  • 1996: Quartet
  • 2004: Unspeakable
  • 2005: Richter 858
  • 2007: Floratone with Floratone
  • 2008: History, Mystery
  • 2010: Beautiful Dreamers
  • 2010: Sign of Life: Music for 858 Quartet
  • 2012: Floratone II with Floratone
  • 2013: Big Sur
  • 2016: When You Wish Upon a Star
;With Wayne Horvitz
  • 1998: 4+1 Ensemble
  • 2001: From a Window
;With Dying Ground
;With Secret Chiefs 3
  • 1998: Second Grand Constitution and Bylaws: Hurqalya
  • 1999: Eyes of Flesh, Eyes of Flame
  • 2001: Book M
  • 2004: Book of Horizons
;With Dylan van der Schyff and François Houle
  • 1999: Pieces of Time
;With Mr. Bungle
  • 1999: California
;With Michael Bisio
  • 2000: MBEK
;With Amir Koushkani
  • 2001: In the Path of Love
;With Skúli Sverrisson & Hilmar Jensson
  • 2002: Napoli 23
;With Tucker Martine
  • 2004: Orchestra Dim Bridges
;With Billy Martin & Socket
  • 2005: January 14 & 15, 2005
;With Jessika Kenney
;With John Zorn
;With Jessika Kenney and Hyeonhee Park
  • 2014: ''At Temple Gate''

    Guest appearances

  • String arrangements for Blonde Redhead - Misery Is a Butterfly
  • Animal Collective - Feels
  • Alvarius B - "Blood Operatives of the Barium Sunset"
  • various projects with Bill Frisell's Quartet
  • various projects with Sun City Girls
  • The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
  • Sunn O))) & Boris - Altar - Songs "The Sinking Belle ", "The Sinking Belle "
  • Thilges - "La Double Absence"
  • Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions
  • Six Organs Of Admittance - Luminous Night
  • Rahim AlHaj "Fly Away"
  • Alvarius B - "Baroque Primitiva"
  • Ensemble Pearl - "Ensemble Pearl"
  • The Invisible Hands - "Teslam"