Dapper Toronto imprint All-Set! Editions may be a newcomer to the subterranean ecosystem of experimental music distribution, but it already has a clearer sense of self than other more established labels. It’s spearheaded by a trio of composer-players, multi-instrumentalist Mike Smith, bassist Pete Johnston and pianist Ali Berkok. Its identity can’t easily be articulated inContinue reading “All-Set! Editions: Essentially Not Jazz”
Genre Archives
Darcy James Argue Secret Society. Real Enemies.
Its title meant to be taken satirically, Real Enemies is an extended multimedia meditation on paranoia and conspiracy theories—and you can dance to it. Created by Vancouver-born composer Darcy James Argue and interpreted by eighteen of New York’s top improvisers, the thirteen tracks delve into all manner of twentieth- and twenty-first-century conspiracy theories, ranging fromContinue reading “Darcy James Argue Secret Society. Real Enemies.”
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra New Music Festival.
LIKE A BENEVOLENT OCTOPUS, THE VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S ANNUAL NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL HAS BEEN EXTENDING ITS TENTACLES in a variety of occasionally surprising directions since its inception four years ago. This year, for example, the event opened with a performance by avant-jazz big band the Hard Rubber Orchestra—not quite as shocking as it might seem, givenContinue reading “Vancouver Symphony Orchestra New Music Festival.”
The Cosmic Range. New Latitudes.
I’d certainly forgive someone who proclaimed that capital-P psychedelia’s death knell sounded long ago. With so many acts flogging the familiar, tired mélange of tropes pilfered from various underground-rock sources of yore, it’s difficult to find any new music coming from that general orbit. But Matt “Doc” Dunn’s The Cosmic Range is one of theContinue reading “The Cosmic Range. New Latitudes.”
The Musical Lightness of Éric Normand
The world of improvised music has spawned a core of musician–organizers who have built scenes and networks and record labels to support and extend the music. Few, however, have achieved what Éric Normand has, creating a hotbed of free improvisation in the relatively isolated little city of Rimouski, more than 500 kilometres northeast of MontrealContinue reading “The Musical Lightness of Éric Normand”
Lerner, Filiano, Grassi. Live at Edgefest.
Although a tale of two cities—three if you count the Ann Arbor, Michigan, recording location—this CD confirms that Toronto pianist Marilyn Lerner has cemented a mutually beneficial musical relationship with bassist Ken Filiano and percussionist Lou Grassi, both based in New York. Like a contemporary auto that doesn’t stint on speed and comfort just becauseContinue reading “Lerner, Filiano, Grassi. Live at Edgefest.”
Not the Wind, Not the Flag. Vermillion.
STALWARTS OF THE TORONTO MUSIC SCENE, guitarist / saxophonist Colin Fisher and percussionist Brandon Valdivia—who collaborate as Not the Wind, Not the Flag—have diverse avant-garde credentials. They have played everything from rock to new music to free jazz, in ensembles of every size. Vermillion, the duo’s first LP after eight years of live shows, cassettes, and CDs,Continue reading “Not the Wind, Not the Flag. Vermillion.”
Nick Fraser Quartet. Starer.
Known for powering—literally—jazz or improvised ensembles from behind his kit, Toronto drummer Nick Fraser brings his compositional talents upfront on Starer. Like a gracious host who ensures each of his guests is properly included in party discourse, the drummer minimizes his role to commentary via irregular clunks and pops, opening up the pieces to beContinue reading “Nick Fraser Quartet. Starer.”
Ida Toninato. Strangeness Is Gratitude.
There are few Montreal venues Ida Toninato hasn’t shaken with her thunderous saxophone. She is renowned, both locally and abroad, for her powerful tone and her passionate involvement in avant-garde music. In recent years, her practice of improvisation has morphed into composition, in particular using locations with an exceptionally long reverberation time. She now regularlyContinue reading “Ida Toninato. Strangeness Is Gratitude.”
Tim Brady. Instruments of Happiness; Of Sound, Mind and Body. Concert #3 Le Gesù.
For over two decades Tim Brady has been creating orchestral works written specifically for ensembles of electric guitars. He is also a master guitarist, occasionally spotted running his fingers over a fretboard in less formal settings. His latest studio CD of notated material collects three works by three different composers, while the stellar improvising trioContinue reading “Tim Brady. Instruments of Happiness; Of Sound, Mind and Body. Concert #3 Le Gesù.”