Artistic director of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society, conductor Kenneth Slowik first established his international reputation primarily as a cellist and viola da gamba player. His work as a member of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, Castle Trio, Smithson String Quartet, Axelrod Quartet and with Anner Bylsma’s L’Archibudelli, has been widely recognized and praised over many years. He now devotes increasing amounts of time to conducting the orchestral, oratorio and operatic repertoire with both modern-and period-instrument ensembles on both sides of the Atlantic. Maestro Slowik has been a viola da gamba soloist with the National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony and Cleveland Orchestras. He frequently provides the organ or harpsichord continuo for performances of large-scale baroque works at various festivals in the U.S. and abroad. Maestro Slowik’s impressive discography includes over 50 recordings, including work with Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Quincy Jones.