EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University alumni Kari Landry, in partnership with Tim Gocklin, both part of the group Akropolis Reed Quintet, received a GRAMMY® Award for the album they recently recorded with composer and pianist Pascal Le Boeuf and drummer Christian Euman. This collaborative album, “Are We Dreaming the Same Dream?”, was honored as Best Instrumental Composition for Le Boeuf’s piece “Strands” at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 2, 2025.

Released April 26, 2024, on the Bright Shiny Things label, the album reflects the influences of Geri Allen, Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, and Leonard Bernstein, exploring the idea that diverse strands of experience, more than one unified “dream,” are what define America and ignite artistic creation.

With music described as “sleek, new” and “hyper-fluent” by The New York Times, GRAMMY®-nominated composer, jazz pianist, and electronic artist Pascal Le Boeuf’s album-length “Are We Dreaming the Same Dream?” draws together classical and jazz idioms in a unique meditation on author Ralph Ellison’s words from The Invisible Man: “America is woven of many strands; I would recognize them and let it so remain.” 

Composed for an ensemble comprised of Akropolis Reed Quintet, drummer Christian Euman, and himself as pianist, Le Boeuf’s work reflects the influences of Geri Allen, Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, and Leonard Bernstein (all of whom explored themes of American unity or disunity) Le Boeuf probes the idea that diverse strands of experience, more than one unified “dream,” are what define America – and ignite artistic creation. Akropolis performed the piece in November 2023 at the University Musical Society Chamber Series in their native Ann Arbor, Michigan, becoming the first reed quintet to perform in the series. 

Akropolis first met composer and jazz pianist Pascal Le Boeuf through the I-Park Foundation in 2018. Forming a friendship, they began to dream of a commission and collaboration. Clarinetist Landry said, “This would be the first time a reed quintet and piano joined forces, and Pascal thought the combination would be further enhanced with drummer Christan Euman added to the mix.” 

The group workshopped ideas and techniques with Le Boeuf in 2019, resulting in Part One of Are We Dreaming The Same Dream?, which they recorded in 2020. Two years later, the goal of recording a complete album was realized. This is the sixth studio album to feature Akropolis and the first reed quintet to twice rank on the Billboard Charts (2021 and 2022). 

“Are We Dreaming the Same Dream?” was commissioned by the Akropolis Reed Quintet with support from the National Endowment for the Arts “Art Works” program, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music Recording Program, the Alice M. Ditson Fund Recording Program, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. This work was completed by Pascal Le Boeuf while in residence at Copland House, Cortlandt Manor, New York, as a recipient of the Copland House Residency Award. Akropolis performed the piece in November 2023 at the UMS Chamber Series in their native Ann Arbor, Michigan, becoming the first reed quintet to perform in the series. 

About Akropolis Quintet 
Celebrating its 15th year as “a sonically daring ensemble who specializes in performing new works with charisma and integrity” (BBC Music Magazine), the Akropolis Reed Quintet comprises five reed players and entrepreneurs unbounded by limits or categorization. 

Described by The Wire as a “collective voice driven by real excitement and a sense of adventure,” Akropolis is the first reed quintet to twice grace the Billboard Charts (2021 and 2022). Winner of seven national chamber music prizes including the 2014 Fischoff Gold Medal, Akropolis is known for performing “works that brilliantly exploit their unique instrumentation” (Gramophone). Composed of the same five members that brought about its founding in 2009, Akropolis delivers 120 concerts and educational events worldwide each year and has premiered and commissioned more than 130 works by living artists and composers. Ever since “[taking] the chamber world by storm” (Fanfare), the five Akropolis artists have remained united by a shared passion to make music that sparks joy and wonder. 

Akropolis’ 15th anniversary season in 2023-2024 included their UMS debut, premieres of the music of Derrick Skye and Stephanie Ann Boyd, imaginative renditions of music by Ravel and Stravinsky, and touring their sixth album, “Are We Dreaming The Same Dream?”, with GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer Pascal Le Beouf. 

The quintet is also known for powerful collaborations with youth and others within its Detroit community. Certified as a 510(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Akropolis is the recipient of the 2015 Fischoff Educator Award, as well as seven consecutive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit the website.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, EMU is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.