Sunday, November 13, 2011

Improvisations I: New Music at Real Art Ways


Improvisations I
October 22, 2011
Real Art Ways
Hartford, CT

Following our concert with Parrhesia at Real Art Ways this past June, Joe Morris and I approached longtime friend and colleague Will K. Wilkins, Executive Director at RAW, with the notion of curating a long-term music series centered on improvisation.  To our delight, he agreed to the concept.  

Our first evening of music took place several weeks ago in a lovely, high-ceiling gallery at Real Art Ways.  We gathered two groupings of musicians.  The first centered on two English improvisers, clarinetist Alex Ward and bassist Dominic Lash, alongside Joe Morris on guitar.  This trio had performed the previous night at The Lilypad in Boston.  

I worked with bassist Ken Filano, reedist Charlie Waters and drummer Andrew Barker.  Charlie I got to know through our work with Adam Rudolph and Go: Organic Orchestra.  He asked to bring along his friend Andrew, who I had not encountered before this evening.  Ken is an old friend and colleague, who I have gotten to know through work with Bill Dixon and, recently, as a member of Ken's new quartet, Baudolino's Dilemma.

Having the opportunity to engage in work this close to home is, to say the least, a delight.  This is an ongoing series, and we are planning events well into 2012.


 images by Maurice Robertson and Byron Dean

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