Ben Kates plays alto saxophone and has done since the 4th grade. He’s played with folks like Han Bennink, Ana Mendoza, Mary Oliver, Maxx Katz, William Hooker, Thollem McDonas, John Gruntfest, Linda Austin, Gino Robair, Tere Mathern, Tatsuya Nakatani, John C. Savage, Wally Shoup, Jonathan Sielaff, Arrington de Dionyso, Urs Leimgruber, U Sco, Reed Wallsmith, Smegma and John Wiese. His ongoing collaborations include Thicket (a trio with John Niekrasz and Brian Mumford), Halfbird (a trio with Grant Pierce and Brandon Conway), Academy Award Nominated Actress Minne Driver (a trio with Holland Andrews and John Niekrasz) as well as It’s OK, Girl with Danielle Ross. He’s performed at the CMG’s Improvisation Summit of Portland, The No-West Fest, FanFare at Performance Works Northwest, A Portland Circus for John Cage’s Silence at PNCA, The Quiet Music Fest, as a member of Niekrasz’s Orchestra Becomes Radicalized and toured around the country in various bands. He was the artistic director of the Creative Music Guild for several years and is now a middle school principal. He occasionally plays the baritone saxophone these days. pitchandsiren.com
Danielle Ross is a choreographer, performer, and dance scholar. She has choreographed numerous evening length works in Portland ( at venues including Disjecta Contemporary Art Center, the Headwaters Theater, BodyVox, and Appendix Projects Space) and generated many shorter works in non-traditional venues throughout the city. Her work has received funding from Regional Arts and Culture Council project grants, Oregon Arts Commission’s Career Grant, and Portland Institute for Contemporary Art’s Precipice Fund. Ross enjoys bringing together various arts communities in Portland. In 2014, she ran (with collaborator and poet Stacey Tran) Pure Surface, a series dedicated to collaborative performances made by performers, video artists, and poets. She also served on the board of and curated performance for the Creative Music Guild from 2012-2018. Ross has an ongoing collaboration called It’s OK, Girl with saxophonist Ben Kates. As a performer, she has worked with Linda Austin (Portland), Ayako Kato (Japan/Chicago), lu yim (Portland/NewYork), Bouchra Ouizguen (Morocco), and Zoe|Juniper (Seattle). Ross’ most recent project, Granular Peripheries, has been performed in Detroit, Evanston, and Chicago and is a truly site specific work documenting the social histories of each venue it is performed in. Ross is also a PhD candidate in Performance Studies at Northwestern University. For more: daniellerossperformance.com.
Noah Simpson
Energetic, dynamic, and attentive describe Noah Simpson’s modern approach to contemporary trumpet playing. Simpson is celebrated as a performer, composer, and forward thinking improviser, who has performed with artists like George Benson, Bernard Purdie, and Ron Artis II.
1. GUZO is Madelyn Villano. She is a biracial noise musician who works with strings, samples, and electronics living in Portland, OR. Her live performance focus is mostly supporting her own somatic relief with sound — which lately translates into filling up space with loud, intense sonics.
2. Shane Mcdonell uses techniques inspired by musique concrete to produce sounds made from hardware, software, and natural phenomena.
3. Physical Strength (Ivan Tribuzuio/guitar & Caspar Sonnet/percussion) is a duo exploring the use of gestural playing and impl, emental gravity in affection to sound within an improvised framework.
St. Philip Neri 2408 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Doors at 7PM, Show at 7:30, $10
Creative Music Guild
Confluence Series
Tim Berne and Gregg Belisle-Chi (NYC)
With Gordon Grdina (Vancouver, CA)
And Saloli (PDX
Cover:
$20
Set times
9:30pm Tim Berne and Gregg Belisle-Chi
8:45pm Gordon Grdina
8pm Saloli
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Tim Berne and Gregg Belisle-Chi
Tim Berne -Alto Sax
Gregg Belisle-Chi – Guitar
Tim Berne has been performing internationally since 1982 with various ensembles including Caos Totale, Fractured Fairy Tales, Bloodcount and Snakeoil among others. He has made over 50 recordings as a leader for labels such as Soul Note, Sony, JMT, ECM and Intakt records.
Gregg Belisle-Chi is an Asian-American guitarist and composer living in Brooklyn, New York. Described by the New York Times as “a subtle stunner,” his work draws from the spaces between the spiritual and the analytical, the ethereal and the tactile, inviting listeners to a place of pause and reflection; music that “oozes beauty both in concept and execution, making us luxuriate in its immersive sonorities.” (Part-Time Audiophile)
Their debut duet Album Mars is out on INTAKT Records
“A guitarist of impeccable technique and broad imagination…”- Nate Chinen
“The great enjoyment of listening to Tim Berne songs comes largely from them being puzzles that challenges your ears to put together, making the tenth listen as fresh as the first one. Gregg Belisle-Chi has mastered Berne’s idiosyncratic language and on Mars he helps to place some of those puzzle pieces together, in real time. And the more of a Tim Berne’s song is revealed, the more brilliant it comes across.” – Something Else Reviews S. Victor Aaron
Gordon Grdina – Guitar, Oud
Gordon Grdina is a JUNO Award (Canadian Grammy) winning oud/guitarist whose music spurs constant genre exploration throughout avant-garde jazz, free form improvisation, experimental rock, and Arabic music. His singular approach to the instruments has earned him recognition from the highest ranks of the jazz/improv world.
“Like the great athlete who sees the action ahead of him unfold in advance, Gordon Grdina has advanced powers of anticipation. A virtue no less crucial when he plays by himself”-All About Jazz Doug Collette
Mary Sutton performs as Saloli and composes music for keyboard instruments. She aims to create sonic landscapes that entrance and enthrall the listener into sweetly vulnerable introspection. Saloli’s debut album of synthesizer compositions, The Deep End, was released through Kranky in 2018. Her next album, The Island: Music for Piano Vol. I, was self-released as a limited edition cassette December 21, 2021 and is available now.
Zenith
The zenith is an imaginary point directly above a particular location, on the imaginary celestial sphere. This is/will be aWinter Solstice celebration and sonic and visual meditation with this symbology and healing/hoping/global/solar awareness in mind.
They Gamble Ensemble:
Machado Mijiga– woodwinds, Efx
Noah Simpson– Trumpet, Efx
Michelle Alany– Violin, Efx
Alexis Mahler– Cello, Viola, Efx
Andrew Jones– Upright bass, Efx
Alex Callenberger– Sound design, keyboards
Michael Lockwood– Drums, Glockenspiel
Holland Andrews– Vox, efx
Devin Jane– Projections Artist
Mike Gamble– Guitar, efx, Synth, Musical Director
Special Guest:
Jamondria Harris– streaming dance and sound
Location
2360 NW Quimby Street Portland, OR 97210
To Attend:
Please email for a reservation
6:30 doors
7pm Show
December 15th, 8pm
St Philip Neri Church
2408 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
w/proof of vaccination.
“Discordance is a series showcasing artists who’s discipline encompasses noise, free improvisation and musique concrète. Artists involved are both regional and afar.”Caspar Sonnet
ABOUT:
Leila Bordreuil is a Brooklyn-based cellist, composer and sound-artist from France. She accesses concepts as diverse as Noise, contemporary classical, free jazz, and experimental traditions but adheres to none of them. Her music mixes deep melancholia with harsh noise-walls at ear-bleeding levels, and was described by the New York Times as “steadily scathing music, favoring long and corrosive atonalities”.
Driven by a fierce interest in pure sound and inherent texture, Leila challenges conventional cello practice through extreme extended techniques and unorthodox amplification methods, to the extent she sometimes seems to be playing the P.A system rather than the cello. Her compositions frequently incorporate sound-spatialization by way of site-specific pieces and multichannel installations, and focus on neurological perception and our physiological relationship to sound and space.
As per the tradition of improvised music, she has maintained a very active concert schedule sharing the stage with a wide range of artists including Marina Rosenfeld, Lee Ranaldo, Eli Keszler, Anthony Coleman, Peter Evans, Thurston Moore, Nate Wooley, SENYAWA, C. Spencer Yeh, Toshimaru Nakamura, Tetuzi Akiyama, Susan Alcorn, Ingrid Laubrock, Zeena Parkins, Weasel Walter, Kim Gordon, Chris Corsano, Aki Onda and more.
Her collaborative projects are notoriously numerous and diverse, and include duos with Bill Nace (Body/Head), Japanoise artist Tamio Shiraishi (Fushitutsa), techno producer Bookworms, bassist Zach Rowden, sound-artist Julia Santoli, saxophonist Michael Foster, and a freely improvised trio with Sean Ali and Joanna Mattrey.
Soft Fantasy (Lo Moran) is a portland based noise and conceptual artist. They have releases through Unseen Force.
Energy Gradient (Eren Guney)
Communes with magnetic tape to investigate & amplify the ruinous consequences of our collective anthropocentric hubris
Caspar Sonnet will be premiering an exciting new composition which include talented players as Sam Klickner and Rose Moore!
Leila Bordreuil is a Brooklyn-based cellist, composer and sound-artist from France. She accesses concepts as diverse as Noise, contemporary classical, free jazz, and experimental traditions but adheres to none of them. Her music mixes deep melancholia with harsh noise-walls at ear-bleeding levels, and was described by the New York Times as “steadily scathing music, favoring long and corrosive atonalities”.
Driven by a fierce interest in pure sound and inherent texture, Leila challenges conventional cello practice through extreme extended techniques and unorthodox amplification methods, to the extent she sometimes seems to be playing the P.A system rather than the cello. Her compositions frequently incorporate sound-spatialization by way of site-specific pieces and multichannel installations, and focus on neurological perception and our physiological relationship to sound and space.
As per the tradition of improvised music, she has maintained a very active concert schedule sharing the stage with a wide range of artists including Marina Rosenfeld, Lee Ranaldo, Eli Keszler, Anthony Coleman, Peter Evans, Thurston Moore, Nate Wooley, SENYAWA, C. Spencer Yeh, Toshimaru Nakamura, Tetuzi Akiyama, Susan Alcorn, Ingrid Laubrock, Zeena Parkins, Weasel Walter, Kim Gordon, Chris Corsano, Aki Onda and more.
Her collaborative projects are notoriously numerous and diverse, and include duos with Bill Nace (Body/Head), Japanoise artist Tamio Shiraishi (Fushitutsa), techno producer Bookworms, bassist Zach Rowden, sound-artist Julia Santoli, saxophonist Michael Foster, and a freely improvised trio with Sean Ali and Joanna Mattrey.
100 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
100 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
The Extradition Series returns on Saturday, October 23 for its first concert since the the pandemic shutdown, presenting four extraordinary works of experimental music:
> Antoine Beuger, “Como un Océano de Olas Innumerables” (2018), performed by Matt Carlson (piano), Lee Elderton (clarinet), Catherine Lee (oboe), and Collin Oldham (cello)
> Drew Baker, “How You Gaze Across the Vast Time” (2009), performed by Lee Elderton (soprano saxophone)
> Ailie Robertson, “Vedbæk” (2018), performed by Matt Carlson (piano), Lee Elderton (clarinet), Catherine Lee (oboe), and Collin Oldham (cello)
> Jordan Nobles, “Nocturne” (2013), performed by Matt Carlson (piano), Catherine Lee (oboe), and Collin Oldham (cello)
Doors 7:15pm, music 7:30pm
NOTE: Facebook added a header that says this event is free, but it is not. Sorry! Tickets are available at the door. $10-$20.
To ensure everyone’s safety, and in accordance with best practices at other regional venues and businesses, all guests must present proof of Covid vaccination for entry. Proof can include your physical vaccination card or a photo of the card indicating that your final vaccination was administered no less than 14 days before the event. Proof must be accompanied by photo ID. All guests must also wear masks that fully cover their nose and mouth throughout the event. Seating will be arranged to promote social distancing.
7pm John stowell, Matt Mayhall, Andrew Jones
8pm Miles Okazaki Solo Stream
9pm John stowell, Matt Mayhall, Andrew Jones
John Stowell
John is a unique jazz guitarist influenced as much by pianists and horn players as he is by guitarists. His original take on harmony, chords and improvisation sets him apart.
He has taught internationally for over 40 years in every educational setting.
His clinics are informal, hands-on and informative. In addition to music theory and guidelines for improvisation, John shares his professional experience with the business of music.
Matt Mayhall
Matt Mayhall is a percussionist, composer, session musician and educator. Over the past twenty five years he has gigged, toured, and recorded with an eclectic range of world-renowned performers in jazz, improvised music, singer-songwriter, folk, indie rock, indie pop, American roots music and performance art. He has released two albums of his own compositions: Fanatics (2020) and Tropes (2016).
https://mattmayhall.bandcamp.com/
Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones is an improviser, composer, and bassist in Portland. Since arriving in 2009, he’s been involved with the music community in a myriad of contexts: contributing compositions to jazz releases on the PJCE label, performing with rock, hip hop and folk groups and working with countless singer-songwriters. He’s also formed a long association with Portland’s experimental music community and Creative Music Guild, making multiple appearances at the Improvisation Summit of Portland and TBA performing with visiting musicians, collaborating with local dancers, accompanying theatre and presenting his own music. His main creative vehicle, The Crenshaw, is based on Andrew’s poetry, which he sets to electronic music. Those beat-pieces are then recreated with his warped synth samples, upright bass and a collaborator on drum set framing Jones’ voice. In 2019 he finished a fourteen-month international touring stint with acclaimed Los Angeles songwriter/composer Julia Holter. During the pandemic, Jones has turned to more session and audio production work; writing arrangements, contributing bass tracks, and mixing various new releases. In the coming year he plans to record The Crenshaw’s second full length album.
https://thecrenshaw.bandcamp.com/
Miles Okazaki is a NYC-based guitarist originally from Port Townsend, a small seaside town in Washington State. His approach to the guitar is described by the New York Times as “utterly contemporary, free from the expectations of what it means to play a guitar in a group setting — not just in jazz, but any kind.” His sideman experience over the last two decades covers a broad spectrum, from standards to experimental music (Kenny Barron, John Zorn, Stanley Turrentine, Dan Weiss, Matt Mitchell, Jonathan Finlayson, Jane Monheit, Amir ElSaffar, Darcy James Argue, and many others). He was seen prominently with Steve Coleman and Five Elements from 2009–2017. As a leader, Okazaki has released six albums of original compositions over the last 12 years, and is currently an artist on the Pi Recordings label. He has also released a six-album recording of the complete compositions of Thelonious Monk for solo guitar, published a book (Fundamentals of Guitar) with Mel Bay, taught guitar and rhythmic theory at the University of Michigan for five years, and holds degrees from Harvard University, Manhattan School of Music, and the Juilliard School.
