Che Buford

(he, they) is an NYC-based artist whose work explores creating new narratives within the world of music while engaging in themes of memory and place. Che performs as a violinist in various musical settings: traditional orchestras, chamber music, improvisational performance and interdisciplinary collaborations. Dedicated to breaking down barriers of traditional concert presentation, Che celebrates and performs music by today’s artists, works by those historically underrepresented, and his own music. Works previously programmed include pieces by Jessie Montgomery, Brian Raphael Nabors, Chris Cerrone, Carlos Simon and Tania Leon. He has also had the opportunity to participate in The Next Festival for Emerging Artists as a Fellow, Westben’s Performer-Composer Residency and Boston Center of the Arts ACTivate residency, where he collaborated with marimbist Steph Davis. Che’s compositions have been described as “earnest, meditative, and with a sense of conviction.’’ Their music explores themes of remembrance and place while taking inspiration from poetry and natural acoustic phenomena. With engaging sound worlds and meticulous structure, Che’s music embodies a wide range of influences from various musical aesthetics. Their recent engagements include being invited to participate in Gabriela Lena Frank’s inaugural Virtual Artist Partnership Program, where he collaborated with violinist and composer Veda Hingert McDonald on a piece for solo violin with electronics, as well as a world premiere by principal oboist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Katherine Needleman, titled, “Wounds in so many places.” Che holds a degree from Boston Conservatory as a presidential scholar in violin performance where he studied with Rictor Noren. When Che isn’t interacting with music, he enjoys taking long walks, cooking vegan food and thrifting.