Ashley Bathgate

American cellist Ashley Bathgate been described as an “eloquent new music interpreter”(New York Times) and “a glorious cellist”(The Washington Post) who combines “bittersweet lyricism along with ferocious chops”(New York Magazine). Her “impish ferocity”, “rich tone” and “imaginative phrasing” (New York Times) have made her one of the most sought after performers of her time. The desire to create a dynamic energy exchange with her audience and build upon the ensuing chemistry is a pillar of Bathgate’s philosophy as a performer. Her affinity to dynamism drives Bathgate to venture into previously uncharted areas of ground-breaking sounds and techniques, breaking the mold of a cello’s traditionally perceived voice. Collaborators and fans alike describe her vitality as nothing short of remarkable and magical for all who are involved. Bathgate is a member of the award winning, internationally acclaimed sextet, Bang on a Can All-Stars, the chamber music group HOWL and is also a founding member of TwoSense, a duo with pianist Lisa Moore, and Bonjour, a low-strung, percussive quintet.

Equally at home in both the concert hall and the rock club, Bathgate focuses on presenting concerts that draw from a wide range of musical genres. Her dedication to performing traditional music is equally matched by her passion to promote new music by today’s composers. That dedication has led her to work with an esteemed list of composers and musicians such as John Adams, John Luther Adams, Louis Andriessen, Nik Bärtsch, Iva Bittova Martin Bresnick, Don Byron, Jace Clayton, Bryce Dessner (The National), Arnold Dryblatt, DJ Spooky, Ben Frost, Philip Glass, Michael Gordon, Annie Gosfield, Ann Hamilton, Glenn Kotche (Wilco), David Lang, Lori Lieberman, Yo-Yo Ma, Meredith Monk, Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Questlove and The Legendary Roots Crew, Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Trio Mediaeval, Julia Wolfe, Shara Nova (My Brightest Diamond) and Nick Zammuto (The Books).

Bathgate has toured the U.S., South America, Russia, Australia, Europe, and Asia with the Bang on a Can All-Stars and has collaborated with several notable ensembles including the Choir of Trinity Wall Street (Julia Wolfe’s Anthracite Fields at Avery Fisher Hall), the Los Angeles Master Chorale (Anthracite Fields at Disney Hall), Red Fish Blue Fish (Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians at Disney Hall), the Kronos Quartet (Brian Eno’s Music for Airports at MIT, Cambridge) and eighth blackbird (Reich’s Pulitzer Prize winning Double Sextet at Carnegie Hall & The Barbican).