Vibraphone, marimba recording artist, composer and famed jazz percussionist [Arthur Lipner](http://www.ArthurLipner.com) presents the New York City premiere of his music documentary film, Talking Sticks on Sunday, June 26, 2016, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM at Symphony Space Performing Arts Center, 2537 Broadway and 95th Street in Manhattan. A question and answer session with the vibraphone and marimba master and documentary film producer, Arthur Lipner, as well as a live performance, will follow the screening. Tickets are $14, $10 for Symphony Space members, $12 for seniors and students (who show identification to purchase at the Box Office). Talking Sticks creates a portrait of the inner and outer journeys and explorations that characterize the music career of Mr. Lipner. A foundational theme of this film is how Lipner has stayed on the path to overcome the challenges and disconnects that a mallet instrument player, touring performer, educator, composer, and now filmmaker faces in terms of the mainstream music scene in the United States, and how he has forged success and a healthy balance of mind, body and spirit. Designed for all ages, this educational documentary brings together mallet instrument performances from different cultures around the world, interviews with influential vibraphone and marimba artists including Gary Burton and Mike Mainieri, along with classic footage of such mallet instrument pioneers as jazz artists Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson and classical artist, Vida Chenoweth (the first concert marimbist), and a behind-the-scenes look at the factory manufacturing of mallet instruments. [Go here](https://www.facebook.com/arthurlipner/videos/1611533832492088/) (Facebook page) for the movie trailer and ticket information for Talking Sticks.
Arthur Lipner started performing professionally at age 14. He is an active performer on vibraphone, marimba and steel drums, a composer and educator whose career spans more than three decades and he is recognized as one of the leading voices on his instruments. He has traveled around the globe as a jazz musician and percussionist, performing in concert halls, jazz clubs and recording studios in 23 countries. The Chronicle Herald (Nova Scotia) wrote, Lipner belongs to that rare category of master player that includes Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson...
Vibraphone (vibes) and marimba provide the centerpieces and backdrop for Lipners documentary film in which creativity, culture and connection are intertwined to forge the visual, musical and thematic messages. His personal musical experiences and search for fulfillment take viewers to Ghana, the Rio Carnival in Brazil, the carving of an ice xylophone in Norway, a 100 year-old marimba factory in Mexico, a stone marimba in Iceland and more. Talking Sticks includes a history of mallet instruments, the manufacturing process, and glimpses of the critical role of music in different cultures. Grammy-winning vibes player Gary Burton, ice musician Terje Isungset, who is interviewed in an igloo, and others discuss percussion and music in their lives throughout Talking Sticks.
For more information and tickets, visit Symphony Space[](http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/9286/Film/talking-sticks). Contact Living Arts Productions at (203) 762-8083 or info@talkingsticks.com to book Arthur and Talking Sticks to a theater or community event.[](http://www.ArthurLipner.com)
