Stay On It: The Music of Julius Eastman

Stay On It: The Music of Julius Eastman (2026) featured a 17-musician ensemble of musicians from Austria and the U.S.. performing the exuberant, radical music of American composer Julius Eastman. Led by music director Brian Lawlor and performed in Vienna, Austria, the program included Eastman’s landmark works Femenine—with its shimmering sleigh bells and slowly shifting sonic landscape—and the exuberant, groove-driven Stay On It. The program also included screenings of Joy Boy: A Tribute to Julius Eastman and A Different Score. illuminating Eastman’s life, artistry, and lasting influence.

The evening featured wild improvisation and two sleigh-bell machines created by composer and inventor Chris Janka.

With
Alexander Babikov, guitar; Nika Bauman, flute; Mario Bergamasco, guitar; Maria Chlebus, marimba; Sarah Maria Dragović, viola; Marko Ferlan, bass; Thomas Grimm, basson/sax; Leonie Maria Groessl, violin; Igor Gross, vibraphone; Erin Jorgensen, marimba; Tara Khozein, voice; Lukas Lauermann, cello; Brian Lawlor, piano; Hasti Molavian, voice; Mona Matbou Riahi, clarinet; Emily Stewart, violin; Alexander Yannilos, electronics/drum kit

Films by Anaïs Ngbanzo & Collectif Faire-Part (Victoire Karera Kampire, Mawena Yehouessi, Fallon Mayanja, Paul Shemisi, Rob Jacobs, Anne Reijniers)

Instrument build by Chris Janka

Music Direction by Brian Lawlor

Concept & Production by Erin Jorgensen, Brian Lawlor, & Ana Marković

video by Aled Ordu; photos by Victoria Nazarova