March 22, 2008
8:00 pm	to	9:00 pm

Conspiracy of Beards is a 30-member a capella male choir which performs exclusively the songs of the legendary poet, novelist, and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. Inspired by the late performing artist Peter Kadyk and directed by Daryl Henline, the group performs gritty, uplifting renditions Cohen’s songs. Since its foundation in 2003, the choir has performed to dozens of enthusiastic audiences around the San Francisco Bay Area. Notable performances include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco City Hall and the Great American Music Hall, as well as appearances on PBS television station KQED, radio station KFOG and national radio program West Coast Live. The group became an official non-profit organization in 2006.The concept of a men’s group singing Leonard Cohen songs came from Peter Kadyk, a multimedia artist who passed away in 2001. Kadyk, whom friends describe as a “visionary” artist, never got around to realizing his Cohen choir. But after his death, his wife, Anah, asked his brother Patrick and director Daryl Henline to organize the group as a tribute for an event in June 2003. Originally conceived as a one-time performance, comprised of 8 or 9 guys singing just 2 or 3 songs, the choir immediately gained a momentum and continued well past everyone’s expectations. After that first show, an employee of City Lights Bookstore asked the Beards to play an in-store event. Word of mouth spread fast, and the chorus quickly went from a one-time experiment to a practicing group within a few months. In the beginning, the members of the choir had all been friends with Peter Kadyk. But eventually newcomers were drawn to the Leonard Cohen project and the Beards became a bona fide singing group in its own right.

Conspiracy of Beards is now considered an integral part of the San Francisco folk scene. Transforming Cohen’s simple melodies into complex 4 to 5 part harmonies, their sound ranges from tender to robust. One can hear influences of contemporary, jazz, gospel, barbershop, classical and even doo-wop styles in the unique arrangements by chorus members. Using the genius of Cohen’s words, the Beards inspire the audience to ponder personal, political and spiritual life throughout the show, amid laughter and cheers. The songs have real and relatable meaning which affects listeners in an intimate manner. And when sung by a group of sincere gentlemen, it is a rare phenomenon which touches audience members on many levels.

Posted on March 17th, 2008 by cafegrumpy
Filed under: Events