Little Women/Ultimate VAG in DC tonight, Marshall Allen on Friday!
2 views
Skip to first unread message
plan...@gmail.com
Jan 16, 2008, 3:09:27 PM1/16/08
to The Hosiery
Clavius Productions is proud to present the return of original Sun Ra
Arkestra member Marshall Allen to DC. Joining the 83-year-old legend
will be Philly stalwart Elliott Levin (sax/flute/vocals), Kohoutek
members Scott Verrastro (percussion) and Damian Languell, and upright
bassist Brit Powell of Barkitecture. Space will be the place Friday
night in DC:
Friday, January 18
Velvet Lounge
915 U St NW WDC
http://www.velvetloungedc.com
202-462-3213
$10, doors at 9pm, 18+
Marshall Allen (of Sun Ra Arkestra!) w/ Extra Terrestrial Guests
Elliott Levin, Scott Verrastro, Brit Powell, and more
Mind Over Matter Music Over Mind (DC free-jazz)
Marshall Allen
After joining the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1958, Marshall Allen (alto
saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, arranger)
led Sun Ra Arkestra's formidable reed section for over 40 years. As a
featured soloist with the Arkestra, he pioneered the avant-garde jazz
movement of the early 60s. Marshall was one of the first jazz
musicians to play traditional African music and what is now called
"world music." He is featured on over 200 Sun Ra releases, as well as
appearing with Phish, Sonic Youth, Digable Planets, Medeski Martin &
Wood, et al. Marshall assumed the helm of the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1995
and continues to reside at the Sun Ra Residence in Philadelphia,
composing, writing and arranging.
Elliott Levin
Elliott Levin (flutes, saxophones, words) was born and raised in
Philadelphia, pursuing early studies with Michael Guerra (legendary
saxist/clarinetist of Philadelphia Orchestra under Stokowski); and
composer/flutist Claire Polin (collaborator with flute innovater
William Kincaid). For Elliott, studies with masters- pianist/
improvisor/composer Cecil Taylor; and later with saxophonist/
improviser/composer Odean Pope-led to long time relationships of
performing and recording with their ensembles. A member of many groups
in Philly/NYC area over the past 30 years, he has continued to work
with his own ensembles as well.
Scott Verrastro
Drummer/percussionist Scott Verrastro utilizes a plethora of sticks,
brushes, bells, shakers, cymbals and gongs, metal, contact mics, and
household items -- in addition to a traditional drum kit -- to coax a
wide palette of sounds. Verrastro received a degree in music
literature from Northeastern University in Boston and continues to
examine many forms of music, including all styles of improvisation and
traditional folk. His main percussion influences are Milford Graves,
Rashied and Muhammed Ali, Sunny Murray, Han Bennink, Jaki Liebezeit,
Bill Bruford and Jamie Muir on Larks' Tongues in Aspic, and yes, even
John Bonham, Bill Ward, Keith Moon, and Nick Mason. His improv psych
band Kohoutek explores all of this territory, veering from drony
Krautrock-inspired psych to abstract noise freak-outs and everything
in between. Verrastro also plays in a guitar/drums duo with Chris
Grier called Thee Ultimate VAG, often accompanies guitarist Jeff
Barsky in Insect Factory, and has collaborated with saxophonists Paul
Flaherty and John Dikeman, as well as multi-instrumentalists Mike
Tamburo and Little Howlin' Wolf.
Mind Over Matter Music Over Mind
Bobby Hill - record players
Chris Downing - laptop, keyboards, samples
Thomas Stanley (a/k/a Bushmeat) - electronics
Our medium is sound. Sound generated. Sound borrowed and relocated.
With this sound we create places and we create events. Some of these
events are music. Many are not. To the extent that the places and
events we create are extraordinary and the manner in which the events
are allowed to occur within these places is extraordinary, our work
product is extraordinary. This is the critical dimension of MOMMOM.
The semantic dimension of the project is a bit more nuanced. First
point of order: Our work is not a text. By intention, the sounds that
we have generated, collected and brought into conjunction are not to
be taken as a socially conditioned statement to be decoded or read,
nor as an instance of personal or cultural expression to be felt.
MOMMOM seeks to change minds not fiddle around with their contents.
The political dimension of MOM2 is rooted in the distinction between
these two approaches. Art can do many things. It need not be limited
to making additions to the clutter of facts, beliefs, ideological
warrants, and emotional tropes within which our attention flutters
like debris in a strong wind. MIND OVER MATTER MUSIC OVER MIND is
directed at the function of consciousness, not at its contents. For
the mind, morphology is physiology and MOMMOM seeks to redraw the
boundaries of mental health. This radical re-normalization of mental
possibility is inherently political, challenging as it must, the most
basic premises of social organization and order. It is only with new
minds that we will first dream, and then build the new world that is
implied by the tide of political frustration that has engulfed our
age. Then MOM2 is a timely mental prosthesis, similar in quality if
not degree to prosthetic agents found in the chemistry of certain
plants and fungi, agents that have been employed for thousands of
years to expand human consciousness beyond its personal and cultural
containments. MIND OVER MATTER MUSIC OVER MIND is emancipating sonic
medicine.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wednesday, January 16
Velvet Lounge
915 U St NW WDC
http://www.velvetloungedc.com
202-462-3213
$7, doors at 9pm, 18+
Little Women (NYC no-wave free-jazz skronk, mem. of Zs, Sockets)
Thee Ultimate VAG (DC guitar/percussion improv, mem. of Kohoutek/To
Live and Shave in L.A.)
Twilight Memories of the Three Suns (DC improv)
Serfs (UK solo experimental guitar improv)
Little Women
http://www.myspace.com/littlewomensounds
Little Women "has a very genuine raucousness. Also though there's a
gorgeous sense of structure. The band -- two saxophones, guitar and
drums -- works a lot with these sort of fanfare-type themes, often
with jagged, proggy rhythms. For the improvisations, the band
atomizes, constantly splitting up into different mini groups. The
guitarist Ben Greenberg plays with a crazy snarling tone and extreme
volume, giving the music a real attack feel, and the saxophonists just
completely go for it as well. Tenor player Travis Laplante has an
absolutely huge sound, with an apocalyptic-free-jazz meets R&B kind of
vibe. The set ended with this amazing coda: the two saxophonists --
the other being the excellent Darius Jones -- took off their
mouthpieces and just started basically ranting/moaning/emoting into
their horns, using the keys to fuck with the sound. It was unsettling
and beautiful." (Hank Shteamer, Time Out NY)
Members of Little Women have recorded and/or performed with Mark
Dresser, Cooper-Moore, Mat Maneri, Extra Life, Joe Morris, Dave
Liebman, Anthony Braxton, The Fugue, Trevor Dunn, Gerry Hemingway, Zs,
Jim Black, George Garzone, Matt Wilson, and Michael Formanek among
many others.
Thee Ultimate VAG
http://www.claviusproductions.org
http://www.myspace.com/accidentswithmagnets
Hazy ambiguous melodies as imagined by axeslinger Chris Grier (To Live
and Shave in L.A./Sean McArdle Band/ex-Mungo Jerry) and skinpounder
Scott Verrastro (Kohoutek/Insect Factory/Sequence Chair/Kuschty Rye
Ergot/PRV Trio/ex-Stryper). Examining the ghettoes and rural
wastelands of America, this duo contructs melancholic odes to ancient
Peruvian deities translated to these modern, godless times. Bring a
pen and some paper, for a new chapter in the Rock Bible shall be
written.
Arkestra member Marshall Allen to DC. Joining the 83-year-old legend
will be Philly stalwart Elliott Levin (sax/flute/vocals), Kohoutek
members Scott Verrastro (percussion) and Damian Languell, and upright
bassist Brit Powell of Barkitecture. Space will be the place Friday
night in DC:
Friday, January 18
Velvet Lounge
915 U St NW WDC
http://www.velvetloungedc.com
202-462-3213
$10, doors at 9pm, 18+
Marshall Allen (of Sun Ra Arkestra!) w/ Extra Terrestrial Guests
Elliott Levin, Scott Verrastro, Brit Powell, and more
Mind Over Matter Music Over Mind (DC free-jazz)
Marshall Allen
After joining the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1958, Marshall Allen (alto
saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, arranger)
led Sun Ra Arkestra's formidable reed section for over 40 years. As a
featured soloist with the Arkestra, he pioneered the avant-garde jazz
movement of the early 60s. Marshall was one of the first jazz
musicians to play traditional African music and what is now called
"world music." He is featured on over 200 Sun Ra releases, as well as
appearing with Phish, Sonic Youth, Digable Planets, Medeski Martin &
Wood, et al. Marshall assumed the helm of the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1995
and continues to reside at the Sun Ra Residence in Philadelphia,
composing, writing and arranging.
Elliott Levin
Elliott Levin (flutes, saxophones, words) was born and raised in
Philadelphia, pursuing early studies with Michael Guerra (legendary
saxist/clarinetist of Philadelphia Orchestra under Stokowski); and
composer/flutist Claire Polin (collaborator with flute innovater
William Kincaid). For Elliott, studies with masters- pianist/
improvisor/composer Cecil Taylor; and later with saxophonist/
improviser/composer Odean Pope-led to long time relationships of
performing and recording with their ensembles. A member of many groups
in Philly/NYC area over the past 30 years, he has continued to work
with his own ensembles as well.
Scott Verrastro
Drummer/percussionist Scott Verrastro utilizes a plethora of sticks,
brushes, bells, shakers, cymbals and gongs, metal, contact mics, and
household items -- in addition to a traditional drum kit -- to coax a
wide palette of sounds. Verrastro received a degree in music
literature from Northeastern University in Boston and continues to
examine many forms of music, including all styles of improvisation and
traditional folk. His main percussion influences are Milford Graves,
Rashied and Muhammed Ali, Sunny Murray, Han Bennink, Jaki Liebezeit,
Bill Bruford and Jamie Muir on Larks' Tongues in Aspic, and yes, even
John Bonham, Bill Ward, Keith Moon, and Nick Mason. His improv psych
band Kohoutek explores all of this territory, veering from drony
Krautrock-inspired psych to abstract noise freak-outs and everything
in between. Verrastro also plays in a guitar/drums duo with Chris
Grier called Thee Ultimate VAG, often accompanies guitarist Jeff
Barsky in Insect Factory, and has collaborated with saxophonists Paul
Flaherty and John Dikeman, as well as multi-instrumentalists Mike
Tamburo and Little Howlin' Wolf.
Mind Over Matter Music Over Mind
Bobby Hill - record players
Chris Downing - laptop, keyboards, samples
Thomas Stanley (a/k/a Bushmeat) - electronics
Our medium is sound. Sound generated. Sound borrowed and relocated.
With this sound we create places and we create events. Some of these
events are music. Many are not. To the extent that the places and
events we create are extraordinary and the manner in which the events
are allowed to occur within these places is extraordinary, our work
product is extraordinary. This is the critical dimension of MOMMOM.
The semantic dimension of the project is a bit more nuanced. First
point of order: Our work is not a text. By intention, the sounds that
we have generated, collected and brought into conjunction are not to
be taken as a socially conditioned statement to be decoded or read,
nor as an instance of personal or cultural expression to be felt.
MOMMOM seeks to change minds not fiddle around with their contents.
The political dimension of MOM2 is rooted in the distinction between
these two approaches. Art can do many things. It need not be limited
to making additions to the clutter of facts, beliefs, ideological
warrants, and emotional tropes within which our attention flutters
like debris in a strong wind. MIND OVER MATTER MUSIC OVER MIND is
directed at the function of consciousness, not at its contents. For
the mind, morphology is physiology and MOMMOM seeks to redraw the
boundaries of mental health. This radical re-normalization of mental
possibility is inherently political, challenging as it must, the most
basic premises of social organization and order. It is only with new
minds that we will first dream, and then build the new world that is
implied by the tide of political frustration that has engulfed our
age. Then MOM2 is a timely mental prosthesis, similar in quality if
not degree to prosthetic agents found in the chemistry of certain
plants and fungi, agents that have been employed for thousands of
years to expand human consciousness beyond its personal and cultural
containments. MIND OVER MATTER MUSIC OVER MIND is emancipating sonic
medicine.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wednesday, January 16
Velvet Lounge
915 U St NW WDC
http://www.velvetloungedc.com
202-462-3213
$7, doors at 9pm, 18+
Little Women (NYC no-wave free-jazz skronk, mem. of Zs, Sockets)
Thee Ultimate VAG (DC guitar/percussion improv, mem. of Kohoutek/To
Live and Shave in L.A.)
Twilight Memories of the Three Suns (DC improv)
Serfs (UK solo experimental guitar improv)
Little Women
http://www.myspace.com/littlewomensounds
Little Women "has a very genuine raucousness. Also though there's a
gorgeous sense of structure. The band -- two saxophones, guitar and
drums -- works a lot with these sort of fanfare-type themes, often
with jagged, proggy rhythms. For the improvisations, the band
atomizes, constantly splitting up into different mini groups. The
guitarist Ben Greenberg plays with a crazy snarling tone and extreme
volume, giving the music a real attack feel, and the saxophonists just
completely go for it as well. Tenor player Travis Laplante has an
absolutely huge sound, with an apocalyptic-free-jazz meets R&B kind of
vibe. The set ended with this amazing coda: the two saxophonists --
the other being the excellent Darius Jones -- took off their
mouthpieces and just started basically ranting/moaning/emoting into
their horns, using the keys to fuck with the sound. It was unsettling
and beautiful." (Hank Shteamer, Time Out NY)
Members of Little Women have recorded and/or performed with Mark
Dresser, Cooper-Moore, Mat Maneri, Extra Life, Joe Morris, Dave
Liebman, Anthony Braxton, The Fugue, Trevor Dunn, Gerry Hemingway, Zs,
Jim Black, George Garzone, Matt Wilson, and Michael Formanek among
many others.
Thee Ultimate VAG
http://www.claviusproductions.org
http://www.myspace.com/accidentswithmagnets
Hazy ambiguous melodies as imagined by axeslinger Chris Grier (To Live
and Shave in L.A./Sean McArdle Band/ex-Mungo Jerry) and skinpounder
Scott Verrastro (Kohoutek/Insect Factory/Sequence Chair/Kuschty Rye
Ergot/PRV Trio/ex-Stryper). Examining the ghettoes and rural
wastelands of America, this duo contructs melancholic odes to ancient
Peruvian deities translated to these modern, godless times. Bring a
pen and some paper, for a new chapter in the Rock Bible shall be
written.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages