Broken Bow Ensemble: murmur

Composed by John Teske, murmur explores through sound the subtleties of human consciousness, awareness and experience. As our society becomes more interconnected, it can feel as if time is accelerating and the sense of self, of authenticity and intention can be lost in a scattered existence. By slowing the experience of time through music, the listener's attention is brought to detail. This focus can open a door to a deeper awareness of the environment, sensations in the body, and other people. The Broken Bow Ensemble is a 26-piece orchestra dedicated to performing original contemporary classical music. This new ensemble features local musicians, including Tari Nelson-Zaglar, Brianna Atwell, Jessie Polin, Greg Campbell, and more.

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Neil Welch: solo saxophone

Local saxophonist Neil Welch explores the underbelly of the saxophone. From whisper soft gestures to bellowing cries, Welch's musical voice centers around extremes on the instrument - multiphonics, pitches clusters, and minimalist sound-cycle repetitions are strong components of his performances. The show tonight features two sets of acoustic material, some composed and some improvised.

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KROMER + Empty Boat

Two great quartets in the Seattle avant jazz and experimental scene. Opening the night will be KROMER, featuring Ivan Arteaga (sax), Katie Jacobson (voice), Cameron Sharif (piano/keyboards), and Evan Woodle (drums). Empty Boat, led by drummer Don Berman, features Kate Olson (sax), Geoff Harper (bass), and Dennis Rea (guitar).

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Polarity Taskmasters + Magda Mayas

Flutist/vocalist Emily Hay, pianist Motoko Honda, and percussionist Brad Dutz are all major players in the Los Angeles experimental/ improvised music scene. As the trio Polarity Taskmasters they create abstract experimental soundscapes through intense improvised ensemble interaction combined with electronic effects, jazz idioms, extended classical techniques, primal vocals, and stories from the id. Developing a vocabulary utilizing both the inside as well as the exterior parts of the piano, using preparations and objects, German pianist Magda Mayas explores textural, linear and fast moving sound collage.

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Rova Saxophone Quartet

For over 30 years,  Rova Saxophone Quartet has explored the synthesis of composition and collective improvisation, creating exciting, genre-bending music that challenges and inspires. Founded in 1978 and inspired by a broad spectrum of musical influences - from Ives, Varese, Messiaen, Xenakis, and Feldman to Art Ensemble of Chicago, Coltrane, Braxton, Lacy, Taylor, Sun Ra and Ornette Coleman - ROVA began composing, touring, and recording, collaborating with such like-minded colleagues as guitarists Henry Kaiser and Fred Frith and saxophonist John Zorn, along with fellow Bay Area trailblazers Kronos Quartet and Margaret Jenkins Dance Company. In 1983 ROVA became the first new music group from the USA to tour the Soviet Union. Their new projects are the Celestial Septet with the Nels Cline Singers, and Electric Ascension, an epic re-imagining of John Coltrane's masterwork with an all-star large ensemble.

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Paul Hoskin

Paul Hoskin's annual eighty-minute contrabass clarinet solo improvisation. Hoskin is currently working with language form as he extends his approach. He fully recognizes the vocal elements of a solo. Besides, he is currently listening to Archie Shepp's Blase. Extended technique is a given, simply develop form in the moment. Spontaneous composition rather than improvisation.

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Monktail Composers Series #10

Monktail Creative Music Concern presents an evening of new music for percussion and ensemble, featuring compositions and improvisations from Sam Yoder (Midday Veil), Nick Gonzalez (Curious Mystery), Mark Ostrowski, Stephen Fandrich and others.

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Big Crinkly Trio

Big Crinkly Trio was formed in 2010 by Jim Knodle, Doug Lilla, and Pete Turner, three musicians who have a long history, but hadn't played together for some time. The trio consists of the slightly unusual instrumentation of trumpet, bass, and drums with each member trying to maintain balance with the other two. The material they present consists of originals by all three members plus pieces by Monk, Steve Swallow, Carla Bley, Bill Frisell, Dave Holland and others.

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Seattle Composers' Salon

The Seattle Composers’ Salon fosters the development, performance and appreciation of new music by regional composers and performers. At bi-monthly, informal presentations, the Salon features finished works, previews, and works in progress. Composers, performers, and audience members gather in a casual setting that allows for experimentation and discussion. Everyone is welcome! Composers for this month: Matthew James Briggs, Keith Eisenbrey, John Teske, John Cage.

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Pacific Rims Percussion Qt.: Dear John

Pacific Rims Percussion Quartet performs two works written 49 years apart on this tribute to composer John Cage on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. Credo in Us (1942) is a prime example of Cage’s early percussion work, strictly and conventionally notated, but innovative in form and content. The instrumentation uses not only piano, gongs and tom-toms, but employs found instruments such as tin cans, an electric buzzer, and a phonograph. Four4 (1991), is one of a large group of numbered pieces he wrote during his last years, this one for percussion quartet.

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