Electronics and jazz go back at least five decades with luminaries such as Roland Kirk and George Russell being among those who innovated with spontaneous, non-acoustic sounds.
Given the dual advances in improvisational techniques and electronic musical controllers, modes of expression for improvising exist today that never would have been possible even 20 years ago. JP Carter and Andy Haas are two of today’s foremost exponents of electronically enhanced improvisers.
Perhaps “enhanced” isn’t even the correct word to describe the alchemy of both Haas and Carter; in both cases electronics are absolutely central to their overall expression. Both are excellent acoustic improvisers, but even better when electronics are involved. Where better than to showcase the futuristic, painterly sounds of solo improvisers than at an art school?
Born in Burnaby, trumpet and electronics player JP Carter started playing trumpet and piano at age 12. He led The Millennium Project from 1996-2001, played with bands like the Tony Wilson 6tet, Fond of Tigers, Francois Houle’s New Quartet/Octet, and the NOW Orchestra. Carter is best known for being the signature instrumental sound of Dan Bejar’s Destroyer, who made the Polaris Prize Short List in 2011. His current projects as a composer/performer are the Inhabitants, Carsick and the Aeroplane Trio. His unique approach to the trumpet and versatility as an improviser make him a significant contributor to Vancouver’s creative music scene. Saxophonist Andy Haas was an original member of Toronto’s Martha & the Muffins, but has spent much of the last three decades performing, recording and collaborating with many musicians who were at the center of New York’s creative avant-garde such as John Zorn, Fred Frith, Ikue Mori, Thurston Moore, Marc Ribot, and more. Haas plays with Americana, North African instruments and spontaneous electronic creations, often at the same time. His Resonant Music label is an outlet for his own recordings, the Hanuman Sextet and Radio I Ching. Haas’ most recent release is Ask The Oracle recorded in Toronto with Music Gallery friends Colin Fisher (see Saturday October 20), Aaron Lumley, Brandon Valdivia and Doc Dunn.
More info: 416-204-1080 • www.musicgallery.org
