Since the beginning of the Pandemic in the early 2020, I had a lot of time to think about what would be my next project. I wanted new compositions to reflect on the state of the world and the time we are living in, but also it was important for me to express my personal
The difficulty of approaching music with words was aptly put by Henry Threadgill in the following: “The process of talking about and defining music literally is one of monumental proportion. Yet this tradition does have a long and uneven history and many precedents. To me this proportion is like trying to define apples with pears,
From trumpeter and composer Nate Wooley: I haven’t counted my last two birthdays. I figure that, since I didn’t really “live” those years, I shouldn’t have to add them to my age. But, since the easing of restrictions, I’ve been able to go out and play some music, and that’s getting me somewhere closer to
From drummer and composer Tim Daisy: When the lockdown began in March of 2020, my initial reaction was to take a pause from music and just “wait it out” for a couple of months. When it became clear that COVID-19 was a virus that wasn’t going to go anywhere, I began to strategize on how
From saxophonist and composer Dave Rempis: At the onset of the COVID pandemic in the US in winter 2020, I was on tour. First in Europe for 10 days with Michael Zerang’s Blue Lights, ending with a performance with Michael and Elisabeth Harnik at the ArtActs Festival in Austria on March 6. I then flew
From saxophonist and composer Angela Morris: I’ve spent my pandemic time composing, blobbing, putting on shows for my series Brackish, recovering from two broken bones, teaching over zoom and in schools, protesting, and occasionally performing. Mostly trying to keep the emotional boat afloat! In April 2020, Anna Webber and I released our big band’s debut
From bassist and composer Nick Dunston: Somehow, I am fortunate enough to be currently on a plane to another country for a mini vacation with my partner. To be honest, the end/start of the calendar year has never felt particularly conclusive nor refreshing for me, but any opportunity to sit down with my thoughts, reflect,
I had the opportunity to talk with drummer Colin Hinton over the past six months about his music, training, and perspective as an artist. Cisco Bradley: You are about to release a collaborative trio record with Rema Hasumi and Shawn Lovato. How did that band come together? What concepts and ideas are you collaborating on?
From Andrew Lamb: In order to begin speaking about my project, I must give thanks and praise to The Most High for allowing me to be present in this dimension. I have lost several of my colleagues and those which I have known and interacted with from the inception of the pandemic and literally every
Jessica Pavone’s creative practice encompasses developing a personalized voice on her instrument as both an instrumentalist and composer. She has been focusing primarily on two projects recently. Lull Pavone’s new work, “Lull,” is a composition for string octet and soloists in four movements. Recorded during the pandemic year of 2020, the piece reflects a multifaceted
