JIJI

Applauded by the Calgary Herald as “…talented, sensitive…brilliant,” JIJI is an adventurous artist known for her virtuosic performances that feature a diverse selection of music, ranging from traditional and contemporary classical to free improvisation, played on both acoustic and electric guitar. Through her impeccable musicianship, compelling stage presence, and constant premieres of new musical works, JIJI’s intriguing programming solidifies her reputation as THE 21st century guitarist.

The Kansas City Star described JIJI as “A graceful and nuanced player,” adding that “…she presented an intimate, captivating performance” in reviewing her recent concerto debut appearance with the Kansas City Symphony.

As a major highlight of her 2019-20 season, JIJI performed Hillary Purrington’s concerto Harp of Nerves at Zankel Hall of Carnegie Hall with the American Composers Orchestra and conductor George Manahan. Other highlights from this season include JIJI’s Lincoln Center debut Great Performers series in April 2019 and the world premiere of four new pieces in her concert at 92nd Street “Y” in November 2019.

Upcoming major performances include an electric guitar concerto written for her by the emerging Latvian composer Krists Auznieks, which will be premiered in Riga, Latvia with Sinfonietta Riga in March 2020 and JIJI’s solo recital at Caramoor this July 2020.

Recent highlights encompass a wide array of venues, including: Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall, Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, 92nd Street “Y”, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Moss Arts Center, Green Music Center, National Art Gallery, National Sawdust, Miller Theater, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Purdue Convocations, Mass MOCA, Le Poisson Rouge, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Princeton Sound Kitchen, Virginia Arts Festival, Festival Napa Valley, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

JIJI is currently sponsored by D'Addario Strings and GuitarLift by Felix Justen. Her performances have been featured on PBS (On Stage at Curtis series), NPR’s From the Top, WHYY-TV, FOX 4-TV, Munchies (the Vice Channel), The Not So Late Show (Channel 6, Kansas), and Hong Kong broadcast station RTHK’s The Works.

Following the success of her EP recording, Underglow, JIJI is currently working on recording her new project, UNBOUND, which features commissioned music written specifically for her. Additional details to be announced in the summer of 2020.

As a passionate advocate of new music, JIJI has premiered works by numerous emerging composers including Gabriella Smith, Krists Auznieks, Gulli Björnsson, Natalie Dietterich, Hillary Purrington, Evan Chapman, Molly Joyce, and Paul Lansky. In 2019 alone, she premiered four new solo works and a concerto.

Dedicated to commissioning new musical works, JIJI was granted BMI commissioning fund; it was awarded for her outstanding performance in the CAG Competition, to aid composers with funding for their projects. Using this fund, JIJI commissioned Nina C. Young to write her a new guitar piece for premiere in an undetermined upcoming performance.

JIJI also performs her own compositions, incorporating electronic media and acoustic music, and worked as a composer for the Yale Repertory Theater, Yale Cabaret, and Yale school of Art. She recently played her own music at LA art gallery human resources as part of The Darkness Sounding, a winter solstice music festival featured on the cover of LA Times. Her music is influenced by her regular activities as a DJ, highlighting the electronic dance styles of happy hardcore and Berlin experimental electronica. Her recent project NIGHT+DAY is to incorporate these two artistic personas; performing concertos with orchestras and followed by a DJ set.

JIJI’s most recent ensemble endeavors include touring with Latin Grammy winners Cuarteto Latinoamericano, Carla Canales, Verona Quartet, Linda Chesis, Sara Shafer, Grammy nominated Soprano Molly Netter, and performing with Brasil Guitar Duo. In addition, as a member of the ensemble Wild Up, JIJI is excited to hear that they have been nominated for a GRAMMY.

In 2018, JIJI joined the ASU Music school faculty as Assistant Professor of Guitar, and is excited about her upcoming adventures as a resident of Arizona. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and creating weird sounds on Ableton.