A room cast in dim blue light, with a projection of stars and planets on a wall behind the stage. The theatre hosting Ephemera Trio’s Meteor Orbit already felt otherworldly.

The trio, formed in 2015 by Keyna Wilkins (flute, piano) with Elsen Price (double bass) and Will Gilbert (trumpet), brought with them a program of 11 works. With some tracks pulled from the 2021 album Blackholes and Modulations, each zeroed in on an area of interest in the massive expanse of space – accompanied by visuals and pre-recorded audio provided by astrophysicist and professor Paul Francis, who had translated electromagnetic waves recorded in space into audible sound.

He later joined the ensemble for a post-concert Q&A, giving wonderful insight into both Wilkins’ compositional process and his own work.

Elsen Price holds his double bass, Keyna Wilkins plays flute while sitting in front of a piano, Will Gilbert holds his trumpet. The backdrop is starry space.

Ephemera Trio. Photo © Phyllis Photography

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