News

On April 2, 2025, the Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) named Dr. Ajay Heble, Founding Director of the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI), a 2025 Jazz Hero—a title awarded to community leaders who go above and beyond to nurture, support, and advocate for jazz and the arts.

Heble, who was also founding Artistic Director of the Guelph Jazz Festival, is one of twenty-nine individuals across North America recognized this year as part of the JJA’s Jazz Heroes initiative, which honours “activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz.” As the JJA notes, “Jazz Heroes are essential to the health of the overall jazz ecosystem.”

The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) invites applications for one (1) twelve-month residential postdoctoral fellowship position to be held at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. / L’Institut international pour les études critiques en improvisation (IICSI) lance un appel à candidatures pour un (1) poste de boursier postdoctoral (en résidence) de douze mois à l’Université de Guelph, en Ontario, au Canada.

On November 8 in Vancouver, IICSI’s Founding Director Ajay Heble was inducted at a formal Celebration of Excellence and Engagement as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Canada, the country’s most prestigious body of independent scholars, researchers and creatives at the forefront of intellectual leadership.

The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) at the University of Guelph, presents another series of public concerts and events as part of its bilingual musical improvisation camp in the Gaspésie called Musical Improvisation at Land’s End (MILE) / Coin-du-Banc en folie. Returning for its sixth edition, the camp this year will run from August 10–17, 2024, and is intended for adventurous and curious musicians of all ages.

Dr. Fillion will work together with IICSI’s founder and current director, Dr. Ajay Heble, over the next two months to ensure a smooth transition and to get acquainted with the…

Artists and scholars reflect on improvisation as a key resource for contemporary life during the colloquium and improvisation festival, “Silence-Producing Machine: Improvisation in and Beyond Music and the Arts” The…

The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) is thrilled to welcome the Susanna Hood Trio and Sarah Belle Reid for an inspiring evening of music and movement at ImprovLab, IICSI’s new state-of-the-art research and performance facility on the University of Guelph campus—“the best sounding room in Guelph” (Bry Webb). Tickets are $15 or PWYC and available online through IICSI’s Eventbrite page. While tickets will be made available at the door, attendees are encouraged to reserve tickets ahead of time.

The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) invites applications for one (1) twelve-month residential postdoctoral fellowship position to be held at the University of Guelph. 

In late 2022, IICSI approached Studio Oleomingus, a partner on their new SSHRC grant “Improvising Futures,” about creating a video game which showcases the last ten years of IICSI’s research findings. Enthusiastic and up for the task, Studio Oleomingus and IICSI set to work to determine the format, content, and technical specifications of the game, meeting monthly with an advisory committee to talk through ideas, troubleshoot potential issues, and narrow in on a delightful player experience. 

After almost a full year of collaboration, what emerges is a freeform digital toy: a collection of playing cards that contain within them a variety of media, including audio tracks, documentaries, short films, photographs, recorded performances, artwork, and more, from different research and creative outputs generated by IICSI and their network over the past decade. We proudly present to you, The Hand You Are Dealt: Improvising the Archive.

IF 2023 will feature world-renowned artists across all disciplines, including jazz legends Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith; acclaimed bassist/singer Mali Obomsawin performing with her quartet; visionary instrument builder and improvisational polymath Douglas R. Ewart with Juno award-winning percussionist Jesse Stewart; two-time Governor General’s award-winning playwright Judith Thompson with trumpeter jashen edwards; Guelph’s  spoken word artist Truth Is … performing in a world premiere context with drummer Marshall Trammell; Dancetheatre David Earle; pianist Marianne Trudel and percussionist John Hollenbeck; vocal improviser Rhiannon; and much more.