Short Takes October 2017

 

…… this autumn’s Canadian improvisers in Europe include Ingrid Jensen (trumpet) and Christine Jensen (saxophones) in “Infinitude” with American guitarist Ben Monder, Fraser Hollins (double bass) and Jon Wikan (drums). The quintet performs at Jazzfest Berlin on Sunday November 5, on a bill that includes Tyshawn Sorey leading an orchestra of Berlin musicians, and John Beasley’s MONK’estra. Later in the month, the November 14 program at Amsterdam’s Zaal 100 includes a quartet with Eric Boeren (cornet), Mike Reed (drums), Toronto’s Karen Ng (alto saxophone), and Hornby Island-based guitarist Tony Wilson.

….. IICSI-MUN has partnered with Sound Symposium and the School of Music at Memorial University to have improviser, composer, instrument inventor, and microtonal specialist Gayle Young working with students in a week-long residency, including an October 13 workshop followed by a concert at Suncor Energy Hall.

….. In October, at Open Space in Victoria, artists Margaret Dragu (Vancouver) and Jörn J. Burmester (Berlin) led a 5-day workshop-like “(Un)Symposium,” to “turn traditional conference models on their heads and open up possibilities for how unique human actions can be instruments of cultural, political, and social creation.”

….. Douglas Ewart, 2015-16 IICSI Improviser-in-Residence, is one of 50 artists in “Infinite Games 50/50,” a current exhibition at Chicago’s Open House Contemporary. Organized by artist John Preus, the exhibition consists of works constructed from materials salvaged from 50 closed Chicago public schools. Ewart’s assemblage/sonic sculpture is entitled “First Chair,” dedicated to the message: “When children/people are well nourished spiritually, emotionally, intuitively, and intellectually, they do well in all facets of life and they thrive!”