Epistrophy Arts presents

Frode Gjerstad Trio

Space 12 3121 E 12th St

Tuesday Feb. 2.  8pm.  doors 7:30

tickets available at the door $10-$15 sliding scale.

all ages admission

www.epistrophyarts.org

Frode Gjerstad - alto sax

Paal Nilssen Love - drums

Nick Stephens - bass

Epistrophy Arts is proud to kick of its 12th year of presenting cutting-edge improvised music in Austin with a special performance by three of Europe’s most prominent creative musicians - Frode Gjerstad, Paal Nilssen-Love and Nick Stephens.

Drawing heavily upon the energy of the free-jazz continuum as defined by Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus and John Coltrane, alto saxophonist Frode Gjerstad is a pioneer of Norwegian improvised music. His various ensembles have served as a training ground for the current (and most vital) generation of Norwegian experimental musicians. Gjerstad first came to prominence with British percussionist John Stevens’ group in the 1980s, and later played in a trio with William Parker and Hamid Drake. His career has spanned over 20 years and has included collaborations with many of the leading lights of improvised and experimental music including Peter Brötzmann, Han Bennink, Evan Parker, Derek Bailey, Louis Moholo-Moholo, and noise musician Lasse Marhaug.

Powerhouse drummer Paal Nilssen-Love is no stranger to adventurous Austin music audiences. He has taken part in some of Epistrophy Arts’ most noted presentations including sold out performances by The Thing, The Peter Brotzmann Tentet, and Atomic. Nilssen-Love has established himself as a powerful and dynamic musician through his wide ranging collaborations with leading improvisors Ken Vandermark, Mats Gustafsson, Peter Brötzmann and left-field rock artists like Thurston Moore, Jim O’Rourke,the Ex’s Andy and Terrie, and Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto. In December he completed a tour of Ethiopia with Ken Vandermark, Ab Baars and members of The Ex.

Bassist Nick Stephens has been an active member of the fertile UK improvising community since the late 1970s. In the process, he has played with many of the major players on that scene including Evan Parker, John Stevens, and Lol Coxhill ”Stephens thrives in a trio where he can soak up space with booming long notes, slip in a sleek line between the splash of cymbals and the texture of a horn, and place otherworldly arco color in the foreground,” wrote jazz critic Bill Shoemaker in 2007. “The bassist is the fulcrum of two of the better albums by improvising trios this year”

photo: http://www.paalnilssen-love.com/Press/frode.jpg

“Gjerstad has a a crying alto tone that has a searing emotional directness… he skillfully builds extended improvisations out of fleet, leaping lines colored with a chilling, soulful directness. He plays with the command and authority of a mature musician who has honed a personal voice, while continuing to push in new directions.” -Michael Rosenstein, Cadence

“He (Paal Nilssen-Love) is simply one of the best new musicians I’ve heard during the latest years!” -Pat Metheny

“Nilssen-Love is one of the most innovative, dynamic and versatile drummers in jazz!” Down Beat “Drummer Paal Nilssen-Love stormed the Norwegian jazz scene in the early ’90s and has been working relentlessly ever since in both traditional and avant-garde jazz. It wasn’t long before he jumped on the metaphorical freight train Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustaffson had established between Scandinavia and Chicago; the drummer appeared on Ken Vandermark’s School Days and has enjoyed growing exposure in the U.S. since 2000. His other engagements and collaborations include trios with Frode Gjerstad, Sten Sandell, and Raoul Björkenheim, plus the group Atomic. He released his first solo CD, Sticks & Stones, in 2001.” -All Music bio excerpt

About Epistrophy Arts:

Epistrophy Arts is a grass-roots cultural organization dedicated to presenting the finest adventurous and improvised music in Austin Texas. Since January of 1998 we have presented over 60 concerts with some of the major figures in international contemporary adventurous music.

We are funded and supported in part by individual contributions, the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and the Vortex Repertory Theater Company.

Epistrophy Arts Presents

Thursday, April 30, 2009
Peter Brötzmann, Nasheet Waits and Eric Revis Trio

Peter Brötzmann (Germany) - saxophones, clarinets
Nasheet Waits (New York) - drums
Eric Revis (San Antonio) - bass

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Present at the very beginning of the European Free Improvisation scene, Peter Brötzmann began his career as a visual artist with connections to the Fluxus movement. After hearing a concert by jazz legend Sidney Bechet, Brötzmann rejected a career in the galleries. He taught himself saxophones and clarinets, played modern jazz influenced by Ornette Coleman, and worked with American greats like Don Cherry and Steve Lacy. Brötzmann developed a style similar to radical American saxophonist Albert Ayler (without much knowledge of Ayler), an uncompromising, screaming cry that challenged itself to greater heights of rage and energy. His landmark 1968 recording “Machine Gun” is a frightening and incendiary slab of sound that (with only acoustic instruments) can measure up to any guitar/electronic noise project happening today. Time has added subtlety and beauty to Brötzmann’s sound. Bluesy lyricism and timeless muezzin-like calls emerged in later years. His spools of dark-toned phrases emerge and unravel over pulsing tempos (these days Brötzmann seems to enjoy the heart-like beat of a masterful rhythm section). His music has all the sincerity, natural wisdom, and universal depth that a mature artist can possess. He remains one of the most inspiring and influential saxophone players in jazz and free improvisation.

In this exciting (landmark) collaboration, Peter Brötzmann is joined by two of the most important members of the current generation of mainstream jazz artists.

Drummer Nasheet Waits is a New York native. His interest in the drums was encouraged by his father, legendary percussionist, Frederick Waits. Waits received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Long Island University. He studied privately with renowned percussionist Michael Carvin. Carvin’s tutelage provided a vast foundation upon which Waits added influences from his father, as well as mentor Max Roach. It was Roach that first gave Waits’ formidable talent international spotlight, hiring him as a member of the famed percussion ensemble M’BOOM. Waits’ talent came to the attention of reedman Antonio Hart, who asked him to originate the percussion chair of his first quintet. More recently Waits has been a member of Andrew Hill’s bands, Jason Moran’s Bandwagon, and Fred Hersch’s trio. Moran, bassist Tarus Mateen, and Waits have been deemed, “the most exciting rhythm section in jazz” by JazzTimes. The 2001 recording “Black Stars” with the Bandwagon was named the “Best CD of 2001” in Jazz Times and The New York Times. Waits’ recording and performing discography is a veritable “who’s who” in jazz, boasting stints with such notables as Geri Allen, Mario Bauza, Hamiett Bluiett, Ron Carter, Steve Coleman, Stanley Cowell, Stefon Harris, Andrew Hill, Jackie McLean, The Mingus Big Band, Greg Osby, Joshua Redman, and Jacky Terrason.

Grammy-winning bassist Eric Revis has been one of the most solid voices in jazz for over 15 years. The deep-running power of his beat and his potent tone keep him in demand among notable musicians such as Branford Marsalis and Jeff “Tain” Watts. Born in Los Angeles, Revis grew up listening to funk and rock. At 14 he taught himself electric bass. After attending Southern University, Revis relocated to San Antonio for a gig playing 6 nights per week. As Revis worked the gig, fellow band members introduced him to jazz. Discovering this music, Revis switched to acoustic bass. Revis moved to New Orleans to study under Ellis Marsalis, Harold Battiste, and Victor Goines from 1991 to 1992. In 1994, he moved to New York to become the regular bassist for Betty Carter. It did not take long for New York musicians to take a notice. He worked regularly with Billy Harper, Louis Hays, and Lionel Hampton. In 1997, Branford Marsalis asked Revis to join him on his recording “Bug Shot”. Since then, Revis has been one of Marsalis’ most reliable allies. Rafi Zabor says “Eric Revis seems to me the finest rhythm partner yet to join a working Marsalis group: a terrific band bassist whose work evades casual notice. The lunging, deep-running power of his beat, acuity of accent, and his instinct for the right propulsive run of notes have given this band stronger legs to stand on, and an increased capacity for friendly earthquake.”

This project is funded in part by individual contributions, The Creative Opportunity Orchestra, The City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

Ab Baars Trio & Ken Vandermark
Ab Baars (Amsterdam) - tenor saxophone, clarinet, shakuhachi

Ken Vandermark (Chicago) - tenor saxophone, clarinet

Wilbert de Joode(Amsterdam) - bass
Martin van Duynhoven (Amsterdam) - drums

Friday, April 10 2009
8pm
at Austin’s Historic Victory Grill
1104 E. 11th St.
Austin, Texas

$15 advance general admission
$18 at the door

tickets available at Waterloo Records, End of An Ear


A highly distinctive voice from the fertile Dutch jazz scene, Ab Baars brings an idiosyncratic creativity into combination with skill and knowledge of his music’s roots.  Though his music has been described as “joyfully obstinate”, it has an undeniable and colorful catchy-ness that stems from its stripped essence.  As an instrumentalist, Baars has been influenced by (among others) American Jazz greats like Roscoe Mitchell and John Carter (both of whom he has worked with).  As a composer/improvisor/band-leader Baars displays all of the musical characteristics that have come to define the Dutch creative music scene: open forms, varied improvisational strategies, wacky use of juxtaposition, and an unwillingness to treat jazz—or any music—as a fixed art form.  Ab Baars is an important member of The ICP Orchestra, the defining group of Dutch jazz.

Named as one of the 25 most significant improvising musicians under 40 by Downbeat magazine, Ken Vandermark has been a powerful and influential voice in contemporary jazz, both on and off the stage.  He’s the leader of dozens of bands and a valued collaborator to some of the most exciting artists working today.  He’s an important organizer of concerts and festivals.  He also, at the age of 35, received the prestigious “Genius Grant” from the MacArthur Foundation.  All of the (well-deserved) credentials, accolades, and associations sometimes distract from the most notable thing about Ken Vandermark: he’s one of the most moving and powerful saxophone stylists working in the music today.  His strong instrumental voice can shift from an oblique angularity to a comfortable and rocking back-beat.  He is equally at home when swinging “in the pocket” or stretching the music to its outer limits.  Though he has a distinctive style, the breadth of Vandermark’s projects is a testament to his vital creativity.

For more information about Ab Baars:
www.stichtingwig.com
For more information about Ken Vandermark:
www.kenvandermark.com
For more information about Wilbert de Joode:
www.wilbertdejoode.com

Also, :

Peter Brotzmann/Nasheet Waits/Eric Revis
Peter Brotzmann (Germany) - saxophones, clarinets
Nasheet Waits (New York) - drums
Eric Revis (San Antonio) - bass
Wednesday, April 30 2009
8pm
at Austin’s Historic Victory Grill
1104 E. 11th St.

This project is funded in part by individual contributions, The Creative Opportunity Orchestra, The City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

Save the date…. Epistrophy Arts will be presenting 2 special events at Austin’s Historic Victory Grill in April.  Check back for more specific information about these events soon.

Ab Baars Trio & Ken Vandermark
Friday April 10
Austin’s Historic Victory Grill (1104 E. 11th St.)

Peter Brötzmann, Nasheet Waits, Eric Revis Trio
Thursday April 30
Austin’s Historic Victory Grill (1104 E. 11th St.)

11-15-08 511

Originally uploaded by pgmoreno2002

On November 14th, 2008. Epistrophy Arts and the Thing helped to celebrate the 20th anniversary of an Austin institution. Ruby’s BBQ has been the most enthusiastic supporter of Epistrophy Arts since the beginning of our organization. The restaurant has fed almost every musician we have brought to town since 1999.

Ruby’s 20th Anniversary Celebration 1988-2008

with The Thing

Mats Gustafsson (Sweden) - baritone sax
Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten (Norway) - contrabass
Paal Nilssen-Love (Norway) - drums

Fri Nov. 14th
doors 7PM

@ Ruby’s BBQ   (512 West 29th Street, just off Guadalupe.) rubysbbq.com

very limited $10 advance tickets available now at Ruby’s BBQ.

Additional tickets available to supporters of Epistrophy Arts for $20 minimum donation.  Please contact P.G. Moreno for information.  pg (@) epistrophyarts.org

“Tapping into rock’s most primal forces with a fire and fury that’s something to behold” MOJO

“The sheer power they can generate from wood, metal, breath and muscle is stunning” BBC

“The Thing Convert nouveau punk and vintage garage-rock into a roaring scream up, but the sheer energy and love of the music keep gimmickry at bay” UNCUT

Free Jazz ecstasy meets Garage Rock Intensity.  Scandinavian action jazz ensemble The Thing in a rare intimate performance following the release of their limited edition box set ‘Now and Forever’ and in anticipation to their upcoming Steve Albini produced release ‘Bag it’.  The Thing blends the spontaneity and imagination of classic free jazz with the emotional immediacy of underground garage rock. With acoustic traditional jazz instrumentation, the three young Scandinavians can match the power of the fiercest rock band. The Thing’s repertoire consists of 60’s era new-jazz (Don Cherry, Ayler, James Blood Ulmer, David Murray) and reinterpretations of underground rock classics (PJ Harvey, White Stripes, Sonics, The Ex, Lighting Bolt). This is no watered down jazz-rock. The Thing take the most uncompromising aspects of both genres and turn up the heat. Tearing down the walls that separate free jazz/punk rock/garage/noise/improv etc.with wicked glee, The Thing shine a searing hot light on the idiocy of getting hung up on categories.

Individually and collectively, The Thing’s genre defying spirit has led to collaborations with a wide range of today’s most creative musicians including Joe McPhee, Thurston Moore, Otomo Yoshihide, Ken Vandermark, Peter Brotzmann and many others.  Saxophonist Mats Gustafsson is a frequent collaborator with Sonic Youth and is featured on their recent release entitled _Andre Sider Af Sonic Youth_ with Japanese noise legend Merzbow.

Since 1999, Ruby’s Barbecue has been a regular supporter of Epistrophy Arts.  During the Thing’s first visit to Austin in 2004 the musicians were so impressed with the food and hospitality that they adopted the iconic Ruby’s T-Shirts as their stage uniform.  Since that time, The Thing have worn their Ruby’s shirts onstage in hundreds of concerts across 3 continents.  Epistrophy Arts and The Thing are proud to help celebrate the legacy of a great family-owned Austin institution and their generous support and advocacy for the arts.  Ruby’s makes Austin a great place to live!

*Only 4 U.S. dates on this tour - http://www.paalnilssen-love.com/band_thething.html

And check out an interview with Thing saxophonist Mats Gustafsson

http://www.bagatellen.com/?p=1969

Reviews of the CD “Action Jazz” by The Thing.

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=22619

http://www.dotshop.se/ds/release.php?code=STSJ123CD

About Epistrophy Arts:

Epistrophy Arts is a grass-roots organization dedicated to presenting the finest in improvised and adventurous music in Austin Texas.  Since January of 1998 we have presented over 60 concerts with leading international figures in improvised music and modern jazz.  Epistrophy Arts is funded and supported in part by individual contributions, the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

For more information on the artists:
http://www.ingebrigtflaten.com/
http://www.paalnilssen-love.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mats_Gustafsson
http://www.efi.group.shef.ac.uk/

Epistrophy Arts presents

Peter Brötzmann / Han Bennink Duo

Legendary free music duo in a rare Texas appearance.

When:
Saturday Apr 26, 2008
at 8:00 PM

Where::

Victory Grill
1104 E. 11th St.
Austin, Texas 78702

$15 Advance tickets available now @ End of An Ear and Waterloo Records.
$18 @ door

(512) 462-6008 for ticket info

“Few modern saxophonists can sound as powerfully abrasive as Mr. Brotzmann, and few drummers can seem as convincingly unhinged as Mr. Bennink. Each is a pillar of the European free-improvising scene, and a touchstone for the rambunctious wing of the contemporary avant-garde.” -New York Times 2006

Epistrophy Arts is proud to present one of the legendary duos in the history of free music at Austin’s Historic Victory Grill on Saturday April 26. German saxophonist Peter Brötzmann and Dutch drummer Han Bennink were first heard together on late-1960’s recordings such as Brötzmann’s seminal Machine Gun (FMP), these frequent collaborators have been making music for more than 40 years and working as a duo since 1976. This performance is part of a rare two-week American tour.

Brötzmann is a self-taught musician and co-founder of the groundbreaking FMP label whose early collaborations in the mid-1960’s helped build the foundation of the European free jazz scene. He has since worked in various formats with a seemingly endless list of the genre’s most respected performers, including membership in such all-star ensembles as the Globe Unity Orchestra, the ICP Orchestra, Last Exit and his own Die Like A Dog Quartet and Chicago Tentet. His discography as a leader/co-leader alone spans more than 65 releases. The latest is 2008’s Born Broke (Atavistic), a two-disc set with drummer Peeter Uuskyla. Learn more at
http://www.efi.group.shef.ac.uk/mbrotzm.html

Known for his penchant for theatrics and use of found objects as percussion instruments, Han Bennink is a pioneer of the renowned Dutch jazz and improvised music scene and one of the world’s most respected improvisers on his instrument. Bennink established his reputation early on with his collaborations with jazz luminaries Eric Dolphy, Sonny Rollins, Wes Montgomery etc. His enormous body of work includes well over 200 recordings featuring collaborations with a long list of iconic figures and longstanding membership in such groups as the Brötzmann/van Hove/Bennink trio, Clusone Trio, Tobias Delius 4tet and ICP Orchestra. A specialist in the duo format, Bennink has also recorded duets with Eugene Chadbourne, Dave Douglas, Ellery Eskelin, Myra Melford, Misha Mengelberg and Cecil Taylor among many others. Learn more at http://www.hanbennink.com/

About Epistrophy Arts:

Epistrophy Arts is a grass-roots cultural organization dedicated to presenting the finest adventurous and improvised music in Austin Texas. Since January of 1998 we have presented over 50 concerts with some of the major figures in international contemporary adventurous music.

This project is funded in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the Creative Opportunity Orchestra and through individual contributions.