Wayne Lopes

Wayne Lopes;1954 NYC. American Composer/Musician Cofounder of 'Gift of Eagle Orchestra' and 'Cosmic Legends'(music/theater Group), While working with (I.A.I.) Improvising Artists Inc. with Founder Paul Bley, Wayne had the opportunity of meeting many of the great Jazz improvisors of the time including Ornette Coleman, Sam Rivers, Leroy Jenkins and Perry Robinson who later joined forces in the formation of Cosmic Legends. Wayne also contributed to performances with Charles 'Bobo" Shaw and 'The Human Arts Ensemble' Judith Malina and Hanon Reznikov with 'The Living Theater' Renowned for his technique, innovation and improvisational style, Wayne Lopes, Sylvie Degiez and Van Manakas founded the Gift of Eagle Orchestra aiming to cultivate and explore the potential of improvised large scale music/theater performance. eventually leading to the formation of 'Cosmic Legends' a multimedia experimental performance group. Cosmiclegends in association with dozens of masterful artists have been responsible for creating lively and spontaneous Multi-media events throughout NY contributing to what eventually became known as 'performance art'. Compositions such as 'The Dwarf of Oblivion' 'Noah and the Metamorphosis' 'Devachan and The Monads' along with the premier of Angus Maclise' 'ORFEO' directed by Composer/Pianist Sylvie Degiez were all performed at 'The Kitchen' Center for the Arts in NYC. featured members have included Ira Cohen, Taylor Mead, Judith Malina, Rashied Ali, Oliver Lake among others. othe collaborations and recordings have included Sylvie Degiez Piano, Rashied Ali Drums, Leroy Jenkins Violin, Van Manakas Guitar, Steve Swell Trombone, Michael Hashim Tenor sax. Perry Robinson Clarinet, Lou Grassi Drums, Recordings; A Catskill Suite, Over the Ocean, Love and Politics, Among the infinite Forms,