BIG EARS

Listen: Roomful of Teeth’s Quizassa

The self-titled 2012 debut by groundbreaking vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth—which helped member Caroline Shaw win a Pulitzer—contains two pieces by Big Ears alum and Tune-Yards leader Merrill Garbus. Our favorite is “Quizassa.” So much happens in these three minutes, which breathlessly pivot from the operatic to the choral to the percussive. The throat-singing drone that emerges and vanishes just before the halfway point, the chanted antiphony of the midsection, the clear physical exertion of every voice in the room—what a wonder. Perhaps they’ll perform it at Big Ears 2019.

BIG EARS
Knoxville, TN · USA

Purchase Passes Now DONATE

Festival

Explore the lineup of upcoming Big Ears performances.

Overview

Schedule

Passes

Hotels

Accessibility

Archive

Explore

Discover travel, lodging, & dining options to enhance your festival experience.

Knoxville

Travel

Things To Do

Venues

FAQ

Support

Big Ears is made possible by the passion & generosity of our supporters.

Donate

Partners

Merchandise

Community

The passion & generosity of our community makes Big Ears possible.

Scholarship

Volunteer

Parade & Street Party

City Songs

About

Learn more about what The New York Times calls “one of the world’s greatest music bashes.”

Who We Are

News

Press

Staff

Contact