Digital Musicians, Dancers Collaborate for 'Kraftwerk Tribute'

SUNY Buffalo State musicians and dancers will combine their talents in an unusual performance Thursday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall.

Called “A Kraftwerk Tribute,” the hour-long show features five works of the seminal German band. The performance is free and open to the public.

“Kraftwerk's music is unique. Musicologists consider this band to have originated electronic dance music in the 1980s,” said J. Tomás Henriques, assistant professor of music and director of the Digital Music Ensemble. “They were using synthesizers in a way that no one was doing. They also were the first band to predict the dominance of machines in our society.”

While members of the Digital Music Ensemble use synthesizers, rhythm machines, and custom-made controllers to create the music, the newly formed dancer company, “2 a.m.: A Cloud Dance Company,” will perform on a few selections. Assistant professor of theater and choreographer Carlos Jones directs the company that is composed of two Buffalo State alumni, adjunct dance professor Leanne Rinelli, and professional dancer/choreographer April Biggs.

This marks the first time the Digital Music Ensemble has collaborated with campus dancers.

“Working with live musicians is always a delight and the music of Kraftwerk lends itself to this type of collaboration,” Jones said. “When Tomás approached me about doing the project, I was skeptical. I wasn’t sure how the music would translate today. Once we got into the process of creating, the doubts quickly faded.”

Henriques said he chose the music of Kraftwerk for the poetic and sociological aspects of the music.

“It’s also danceable,” said Henriques who added that he would like to extend the show beyond this week’s performance.

“Hopefully, it will serve as a showcase that we can take to other SUNY schools,” Henriques said.