The 2640 Space January 10

Ad in CityPaper:  Critic's Pick

Preview Baltimoresun.com:  Sam Sessa

Alcorn/Hullman/Leckie Trio:

Mix together the creativity of an improviser, the virtuosity of a classically educated musician, and the versatility of a session player, and the results are surprising, exciting, and pleasing.  Pedal Steel Guitarist Susan Alcorn, Violinist Melissa Hullman, and Double Bassist Jake K. Leckie will perform a set of freely improvised music based on and guided by original scores and the compositions of Astor Piazzolla, Victor Jara, and traditional folk songs.  This eclectic ensemble approaches the challenging and diverse repertoire with energy, respect, and freedom. 

 

Trudel/Hopkins Duo

Tenor saxophonist Eric Trudel and bassist Adam Hopkins were both born and raised in the Baltimore area.  They perform together and contribute compositions regularly as members of local music projects Quartet Offensive, Your Daddy's Trio, and the Jon Rogerson Group.  As a duo they made the decision early on not to play composed music, and as a result have grown greatly as improvisers.  The Trudel/Hopkins Duo was formed in April of 2008 by way of weekly impromptu sessions and have since developed into a performing ensemble.  In addition to their projects together Eric is a member of the Sub-Atomic Particles, and Adam is a member of the D.C. groups Panacea, Restoring Poetry in Music, and Turn Around Norman.

Macgregor Burns and the VCR

Concrete Acoustic

Satabdi at Joe Squared

Back to the East Coast

Goodbye Elk, Bon Voyage fellow artists in residence, Adios Banff!  I am on my way back to Brookline, MA tomorrow.  After the holidays, I will be heading to Baltimore to hang with the many people I miss there, and play some gigs:

Jan 2 - Joe Squared with Satabdi Express (Indian Classical/Gypsy Jazz/Rock)

Jan 3 - El Rancho with Satabdi Express

Jan 4 - The Greater Faith Baptist Church

Jan 5 - Joe Squared with The So On and So Forth (Acoustic jazz)

Jan 10 - 2640 space with Susan Alcorn and Melissa Hullman (Tango/Free Improv)

Jan 11 - The Greater Faith Baptist Church

Then I am back to Brookline, I get my sh!t together, and I move to Montreal.  It will be a very exciting couple of weeks. 

My time at Banff was amazing, to say the least.  I was able to shed like crazy, my vision as a producer has expanded, and my focus has sharpened.  I am most grateful for the connections I made here, and the people I will keep in touch with for years to come.  There were some things I did not end up having time for, including snowboarding, finishing a surround mix, taming an Elk, and putting string arrangements on a record.  However, the projects I was able to follow through with turned out great.  

Some of the highlights from the end of the Banff fall term:

Recording session with the Better Vistas Quintet/Sextet

Curling is ridiculous, and I did not think I would have such an amazing time

Performing a piece of new music by composer Emilie LaBelle (rehearsal picture)

Playing gigs with The Salt Lik Trio

Performing O Rosa Bella, an improvisatory arrangement by Terri Hron for Adam Kinner, Rosabel Choi, and myself.  Finishing the Blaze record, mixing the Turtle Boy session, mixing the Spanner record with John DS Adams and Erin Donovan, teaching bass to Erika who is going to start stealing gigs from me soon I am sure, AND the craziness that ensued in the last couple nights of the residency before the musicians left.  Oh man.

Well folks, that's it for now.  Soon, www.organicsoundlab.com will be revamped as a website.  If that happens, I will keep this blog going at:

http://organicsoundlab.blogspot.com

Peace, love, happy holidays!