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Curated and hosted by iconic DC impresario and musician Jim Thomson.

“Big Lazy, the elegantly gritty instrumental trio led by the extraordinary guitarist Stephen Ulrich, plays stunningly beautiful music that evokes everything from truckers romps to the haunting film scores of Bernard Herrmann.” 

– The New Yorker

Stephen Ulrich, guitarist and Big Lazy band leader has released his first solo album, Music from This American Life on Barbès Records. The album is a collection of 10 pieces Ulrich was commissioned to write for Ira Glass’ iconic radio program of the same name. At once shadowy and optimistic, Ulrich’s music weaves a melodic and textural foundation through many This American Life episodes. Ulrich is best known for his long running ‘crime jazz’ trio Big Lazy and for his score to the HBO series Bored to Death. Barbès Records has also just released the band’s back catalogue of 6 albums. Big Lazy, New York City’s gritty instrumental trio has flourished for over 20 years, creating film music and playing its singular brand of ‘guitar noir’ from the Whitney Museum of American Art to the Opéra National de Lyon. The band is known for its cinematic music and legendary live performances. With sparse instrumentation – Ulrich plays electric guitar, Andrew Hall on acoustic bass and Yuval Lion on drums – the trio forges a new American music from archetypes in Blues, Jazz, Surf, Latin and Rockabilly. 

The trio will perform music from This American Life as well as selections from its 6 albums. Big Lazy’s current line-up features arranger, composer and keyboardist Marlysse Simmons of the bands Bio Ritmo and Miramar. Big Lazy is, in the words of influential music journalist Robert Christgau (the dean of American rock criticism), “the Big Apple Crème de la Crème.”

About Jim Thomson: Jim Thomson owns and operates the Washington, DC-based boutique record label Electric Cowbell Records. He currently runs Multiflora Productions out of Washington, DC, an independent live music production agency that specializes in expanding the reach of eclectic traditional and non-traditional artists by creating a time and space where their work is presented in an environment where audiences and artists alike have a meaningful and significant experience together. In 2014 he became the music coordinator for the Capital Fringe Festival and also programmed the “Fringe Music in the Library ” series, which offered free live music in the DC Public Libraries through a sponsorship from the DC Public Library Foundation. He has booked several US tours for acclaimed artists such as Sahel Sounds recording artists Mdou Moctar and Les Filles de Illighadad, along with Zedashe from the Republic of Georgia, BCUC from South Africa, and several others. He is a founding member and played drums in: GWAR, Alter-Natives (SST Records), Bio Ritmo, and CSC Funk Band. He currently plays drums in the DC-based punk rock band, Time Is Fire. Jim is currently producing a series of releases for the acclaimed indie salsa orchestra Bio Ritmo’s 30-year anniversary and booking the US debut tour for Sublime Frequencies recording artist Baba Commandant from Burkina Faso.

Beer, wine, and other concessions will be available for purchase!

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