SIMF #35 – 2020

The 35th Seattle Improvised Music Festival was organized by Haley Freedlund, Christopher Icasiano, and Steve Peters. It was presented by Nonsequitur, with assistance from 4 Culture and the Raynier Institute & Foundation. Haley Freedlund designed the poster.

The curatorial theme of this year’s festival was cross-generational improvisation, bringing together artists ranging in age from their teens to their 90s. The festival was dedicated to William O. “Bill” Smith, who was intended to play the featured set at the Racer Sessions but sadly passed away before the festival took place.

Originally scheduled to take place in March 2020, posters had already been printed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything went into lockdown. The festival was then postponed until early September, but lockdown was still in effect by then. It seemed like the festival would have to be cancelled entirely.

Then an invitation came to curate one of four programs of performances as part of a collaborative streaming video edition of the annual High Zero Festival in Baltimore. They wanted us to contribute a solo, an ensemble, and an experimental music/video project, to which they would add a solo by a Baltimore artist. We accepted, and decided to also record on video any of the other invited Seattle musicians who still wanted to participate, resulting in an additional program streamed a week later, independently of High Zero. These performances were all recorded on September 24, 2020 at the Royal Room in Seattle by Brad Rouda. We are grateful to him and Wayne Horvitz of the Royal Room for providing a venue and the equipment needed to accomplish this. Unfortunately, the dance/music performance curated by Lorraine Lau had to be cancelled.

Participating artists:

Casey Adams, drums; Marina Albero, piano; Heather Bentley, viola; Thomas Campbell, drums; Laurel Evers, clarinet; Ben Goldberg, clarinet (Oakland); Galin Hebert, drums; Jim Knodle, trumpet; Joe McPhee, tenor sax (Poughkeepsie); Sam Newsome, soprano sax (Brooklyn); Melody Owen, video (Portland/Sydney); Dana Reason, piano (Corvallis); Dick Valentine, woodwinds; Evan Woodle, drums; Tamara Zenobia, voice; Jenny Ziefel, bass clarinet

Invited artists who did not participate:

Elby Brosch, dance; James Falzone, clarinet; Christopher Icasiano, drums; Andrew Jones, bass (Portland); Leanna Keith, flutes; Dave Knott, misc.; Rebekah Ko, percussion; Lorraine Lau, dance; Pete Leinonen, bass; Haruko Crow Nishimura, voice; William O. “Bill” Smith, clarinet; Hendri Walujo, dance; Fox Whitney, dance

PHOTO ALBUM HERE

The High Zero program was streamed on September 27, 2020 on Twitch. (no video available)

(13:46) Marina Albero, piano

Alison Clendaniel (Baltimore), voice (watch video here)

(14:54 + 6:00) Jim Knodle, trumpet / Casey Adams, drums / Heather Bentley, viola / Evan Woodle, drums / Jenny Ziefel, bass clarinet (watch video here)

Silent Blaze: Dana Reason, piano / Melody Owen, video (watch video here)

The second video program was streamed on October 4, 2020 on the Racer Sessions’ YouTube channel. (watch video here)

Ben Goldberg , clarinet (no audio available; see video)

(9:01 + 10:56) Laurel Evers, clarinet / Galin Hebert, drums

Sam Newsome, extended saxophones (no audio available; see video)

(16:54) Thomas Campbell, drums / Dick Valentine, woodwinds / Tamara Zenobia, voice

Joe McPhee, tenor saxophone (no audio available; see video)

SIMF #34 – 2019

The 34th Seattle Improvised Music Festival took place Feb. 6-10, 2019, presented by Nonsequitur with kind assistance from the Raynier Institute & Foundation. The organizers were Haley Freedlund, Chris Icasiano, and Steve Peters. The dance/music show was curated by Stephanie Skura. The poster was designed by Haley Freedlund.

Due to a major snow storm, several of the shows were cancelled and had to be rescheduled for later in the year. In some cases the rescheduled shows had different performers than originally planned due to scheduling conflicts (see below). This was most apparent in a special tribute concert honoring SIMF founder Paul Hoskin, who died in November 2018; many of the artists originally scheduled to perform in this concert on February 9 were unable to attend the rescheduled event on March 15.

PHOTO ALBUM HERE

Participating artists:

Holland Andrews, clarinet/vox (Portland); Rob Angus, ? (Hoskin Tribute); Linda Austin, dance (Portland; Dance/Music); BANNED REHEARSAL (Comely, Eisenbrey, Eisenbrey, Kennedy, Keyt, Kosaly-Meyer); Ambrosia Bardos, electronics/vox; CK Barlow, electronics (Baltimore); Paige Barnes, dance (Dance/Music); Abbey Blackwell, bass; Gust Burns, piano (Hoskin Tribute); Johnny Calcagno, keyboard (Hoskin Tribute); Greg Campbell, percussion (Hoskin Tribute); Jesse Canterbury, clarinet (Hoskin Tribute); Peter Comely, various (Banned Rehearsal); Stuart Dempster, gongs (Hoskin Tribute); Renko Ishida Dempster, gongs (Hoskin Tribute); Vanessa DeWolf, dance (Dance/Music); Nate Dryden, dance (Salt Lake City; Dance/Music); Karen Eisenbrey, various (Banned Rehearsal); Keith Eisenbrey, various (Banned Rehearsal); Beth Fleenor, clarinets/voice [invited but cancelled]; Haley Freedlund, trombone; Lori Goldston, cello (Hoskin Tribute); Scott Granlund, sax (Hoskin Tribute); Schraepfer Harvey, drums; John Hawkley, ? (Hoskin Tribute); Robert Hinrix, guitar (Hoskin Tribute); Chris Icasiano, drums; Mark Kaylor, ? (Hoskin Tribute); Steve Kennedy, various (Banned Rehearsal); Aaron Keyt, various (Banned Rehearsal); Jim Knodle, trumpet (Hoskin Tribute); Dave Knott, homemades (Dance/Music, Hoskin Tribute); Neal Kosaly-Meyer, various (Banned Rehearsal, Hoskin Tribute); Austin Larkin, viola (Hoskin Tribute); Pete Leinonen, bass (Hoskin Tribute); Carol Levin, harp (Hoskin Tribute); Bryan Lineberry, sax; Fran Lukas, sax (Hoskin Tribute); Jordan MacIntoosh-Hougham, dance (Dance/Music); Kenny Mandell, sax; Kelsey Mines, bass; Ebony Miranda, cello; Eric Muhs, ? ((Hoskin Tribute); Andria Nicodemou, vibraphone (Cyprus/Boston); Odeya Nini, voice/movement (Los Angeles); Steve Peters, field recordings (Dance/Music); Kelvin Pittman, sax (Hoskin Tribute); Charley Rowan, piano (Hoskin Tribute); Marc Seales, piano; Patrick Shiroishi, sax (Los Angeles); Wally Shoup, sax (Hoskin Tribute); Stephanie Skura, dance (Dance/Music); China Faith Star, sax (Olympia); Bradley Stevens, clarinet (Hoskin Tribute); Tom Varner, French horn; Jenny Ziefel, bass clarinet (Dance/Music, Hoskin Tribute)

Wednesday, February 6 (Gallery 1412)
Duo: Abbey Blackwell, Ebony Miranda
Duo: Haley Freedlund, Chris Icasiano
Duo: Marc Seales, Tom Varner
Solo + ?: Patrick Shiroishi

Thursday, February 7 (Hollow Earth Radio)
Duo: CK Barlow, Ambrosia Bardos
Trio: Bryan Lineberry, Schraepfer Harvey, China Faith Star
Quintet: Banned Rehearsal (Comely, Eisenbrey, Eisenbrey, Kennedy, Keyt, Kosaly-Meyer)
Duo: Andria Nicodemou, Chris Icasiano

Friday, February 8 (Good Shepherd Center Chapel)
Duo: Haley Freedlund, Tom Varner
Duo: Andria Nicodemou, Marc Seales
Trio: Kenny Mandell, Kelsey Mines, Odeya Nini
Solo + ?: CK Barlow

Saturday, February 9 (Good Shepherd Center Chapel)
[All of this day’s scheduled events were cancelled due to snow]

Free the Voice! Workshop with Odeya Nini
$10 – $20 sliding scale. Details and registration here.
[Odeya also gave a Voice Bath at Seattle Sound Temple on Weds. Feb. 6]

Dance & Music, curated by Stephanie Skura
Dancers: Linda Austin (Portland), Paige Barnes, Vanessa DeWolf, Nate Dryden (Salt Lake City), Jordan MacIntosh-Hougham, Stephanie Skura
Musicians: Beth Fleenor, clarinets/voice; Dave Knott, homemades; Steve Peters, field recordings

Tribute to SIMF founder Paul Hoskin
Dave Abramson, Eric Amrine, Linda Austin, Angelina Baldoz, Gust Burns, Greg Campbell, Arrington de Dionyso, Stuart Dempster, Beth Fleenor, Scott Granlund, Sue Ann Harkey, Robert Hinrix, Bill Horist, Jeph Jerman, Mark Kaylor, Jim Knodle, Dave Knott, Neal Kosaly-Meyer, Pete Leinonen, Carol J. Levin, Eveline Müller-Graff, Eric Muhs, Tari Nelson-Zagar, Greg Powers, Dennis Rea, Charley Rowan, John Seman, Wilson Shook, Wally Shoup, Brad Stevens, Jenny Ziefel, others TBA

Trio: Holland Andrews, Ambrosia Bardos, Ebony Miranda
Trio: Abbey Blackwell, Haley Freedlund, Patrick Shiroishi
Solo + ?: Odeya Nini

Sunday, February 10 (Couth Buzzard Books)
[cancelled due to snow]
Quartet: Schraepfer Harvey, Bryan Lineberry, Kenny Mandell, China Faith Star
Free improv session open to players of all experience levels, led by Kenny Mandell

Sunday, February 10 (Cafe Racer)
Solo + ?: Andria Nicodemou + Chris Icasiano [Holland Andrews was unable to attend]
Racer Sessions, open to players of all experience levels
After party!

Rescheduled Performances:

Friday, March 15 (Good Shepherd Center Chapel)
Paul Hoskin Tribute
Gong interludes by Stuart & Renko Dempster
Shrine by Sue Ann Harkey
Trio: Rob Angus, John Hawkley, Eric Muhs
Solo: Johnny Calcagno
Duo: Lori Goldston, Austin Larkin
Trio: Robert Hinrix, Jim Knodle, Neal Kosaly-Meyer
Duo: Charley Rowan, Bradley Stevens
Quintet: Gust Burns, Greg Campbell, Mark Kaylor, Kelvin Pittman, Wally Shoup
Trio: Jesse Canterbury, Carol Levin, Jenny Ziefel
Hoskin’s Quietude: Greg Campbell, Stuart Dempster, Scott Granlund, Jim Knodle, Dave Knott, Neal Kosaly-Meyer, Pete Leinonen, Carol Levin, Fran Lukas, Charley Rowan, Wally Shoup, Bradley Stevens, Jenny Ziefel

Thursday, June 20 (Good Shepherd Center Chapel)
Dance & Music, curated by Stephanie Skura
Dancers: Linda Austin, Paige Barnes, Vanessa DeWolf, Nate Dryden, Jordan MacIntosh-Hougham, Stephanie Skura
Musicians: Dave Knott, Steve Peters, Jenny Ziefel

Friday, July 19 (Good Shepherd Center Chapel)
Duo: Ambrosia Bardos [via recording], Ebony Miranda
Solo: Holland Andrews

Friday, November 15 (Good Shepherd Center Chapel)
Duo: Abbey Blackwell, Kelsey Mines
Solo: Odeya Nini

Recordings by Steve Peters:

(20:22) Ambrosia Bardos, electronics/voice / CK Barlow, electronics

(20:47) Schraepfer Harvey, drums / Bryan Lineberry, sax / China Faith Star, sax

(20:02) Banned Rehearsal (Peter Comely, Karen Eisenbrey, Keith Eisenbrey, Steve Kennedy, Aaron Keyt, Neal Kosaly-Meyer), assorted instruments and objects

(22:41) Chris Icasiano, drums / Andria Nicodemou, vibraphone – #1

(12:02) Haley Freedlund, trombone / Tom Varner, French horn

(13:39) Andria Nicodemou, vibraphone / Marc Seales, piano

(12:02) Kenny Mandell, sax / Kelsey Mines, bass / Odeya Nini, voice

(24:55) CK Barlow, electronics / Andria Nicodemou, vibraphone – Solo + Duo

(14:27) Chris Icasiano, drums / Andria Nicademou, vibraphone – #2

SIMF #33 – 2018

The 33rd Seattle Improvised Music Festival took place Feb. 10-17, 2018. It was organized by Amy Denio, James Falzone, Haley Freedlund, Chris Icasiano, and Steve Peters. The dance/music performance was curated by Corrie Befort. The festival was produced by Nonsequitur, with assistance from Cornish College of the Arts and 4Culture. Tomeka Reid’s residency at Cornish was supported by Cornish Presents, with assistance from ArtsWA, WESTAG, and the NEA. This year the festival expanded to multiple venues across the city over eight days.

Participating artists:

Tom Baker, guitar/electronics; Corrie Befort, dance (Dance/Music); Allison Burke, dance (Dance/Music); Noelle Chun, dance (Dance/Music); Amelia Coulter, trombone; Clifford Dunn, flute; Ruby Dunphy, drums; James Falzone, clarinet, etc. (Dance/Music); Stephen Fandrich, piano; Evan Flory-Barnes, bass; Haley Freedlund, trombone; Mike Gebhart, percussion; Logan Hone, sax (Los Angeles); Greg Kelley, trumpet (Dance/Music); Monika Khot, guitar; Ha-Yang Kim, cello; Dave Knott, homemades; Katie Levine, piano; Evan Lipson, bass (Chattanooga); Nahshon Marden, dance (Dance/Music); Cristin Miller, voice/electronics (Los Angeles); Lisa Cay Miller, piano (Vancouver, BC); Eric Muhs, guitar etc.; Eveline Müller, percussion; Karen Nelson, dance (Dance/Music); John Niekrasz, drums (Portland); Steve Peters, field recordings (Dance/Music); Amelia Reeber, dance (Dance/Music); Tomeka Reid, cello (Chicago/NYC); Jane Rigler, flute (Colorado Springs); Carmen Rothwell, bass (NYC); Paul Rucker, cello; Melanie Sehman, percussion (Bellingham); Brandin Steffensen, dance (Dance/Music); Alia Swersky, dance (Dance/Music); Hendri Walujo, dance (Dance/Music); Bonnie Whiting, percussion; Davey Williams, guitar (Birmingham, AL); Jack Wright, saxophones (Philadelphia)

PHOTO ALBUM HERE

Saturday, February 10 (Gallery 1412)
Duo: Mike Gebhart, Melanie Sehman
Solo: Lisa Cay Miller
Solo: Bonnie Whiting
Duo: Lisa Cay Miller, Bonnie Whiting
Quartet: Mike Gebhart, Lisa Cay Miller, Melanie Sehman, Bonnie Whiting

Sunday, February 11 (Couth Buzzard Books)
Duo: Jack Wright, Evan Lipson
Jack Wright reads from his book, The Free Musics

Sunday, February 11 (Hollow Earth Radio)
Duo: Jack Wright, Evan Lipson
Racer Sessions; open session, improvisers at all levels of experience are invited to participate
(watch video)

Monday, February 12 (The Royal Room)
Groupings TBD: Tom Baker, Amelia Coulter, Evan Flory-Barnes, Katie Levine, Evan Lipson, John Neicrasz, Jack Wright

Tuesday, February 13 (Spite House)
Solo: Stephen Fandrich
Duo: Ha-Yang Kim, Eveline Müller
Duo: Clifford Dunn, Cristin Miller

Wednesday, February 14 (Vermillion)
Hosted by Table & Chairs Music
Groupings TBD: Logan Hone, Monika Khot, Eric Muhs, Eveline Müller, Carmen Rothwell

Thursday, February 15 (PONCHO Hall, Cornish)
Hosted by Cornish Presents
Groupings TBD: Amelia Coulter, Ruby Dunphy, Stephen Fandrich, Evan Flory-Barnes, Logan Hone, Ha-Yang Kim, Katie Levine, Carmen Rothwell, Tomeka Reid, Paul Rucker, Alia Swersky + Cornish student musicians and dancers (TBA).

Friday, February 16 (Good Shepherd Center Chapel)
Duo: Monika Khot, Tom Baker
Quartet: Clifford Dunn, Cristin Miller, Tomeka Reid, Jane Rigler
Solo + ?: Davey Williams

Saturday, February 17 (Good Shepherd Center Chapel)
Improvised music/dance performance curated by Corrie Befort. Dancers: Corrie Befort, Allison Burke, Noelle Chun, Nahshon Marden, Karen Nelson, Amelia Reeber, Brandin Steffensen, Alia Swersky, Hendri Walujo, Syniva Whitney. Musicians: Tom Baker, Ruby Dunphy, James Falzone, Haley Freedlund, Greg Kelley, Ha-Yang Kim, Dave Knott, Cristin Miller, Steve Peters

Community potluck dinner for musicians and audience

Duo: Eric Muhs, Davey Williams (watch video)
Trio: Ruby Dunphy, Stephen Fandrich, Paul Rucker
Solo + ?: Jane Rigler solo + brief duos with all others on the bill

Recordings by Steve Peters:

(25:56) Mike Gebhart, percussion / Melanie Sehman, percussion

(14:46) Lisa Cay Miller, piano

(14:00) Lisa Cay Miller, piano / Bonnie Whiting, percussion

(14:56) Mike Gebhart, percussion / Lisa Cay Miller, piano / Melanie Sehman, percussion / Bonnie Whiting, percussion

(20:46) Evan Lipson, bass / Jack Wright, sax – Afternoon concert, Pt. 1

(11:29) Evan Lipson, bass / Jack Wright, sax – Afternoon concert, Pt. 2

(24:17) Evan Lipson, bass / Jack Wright, sax – Evening concert

(22:54) Racer Session, Pt. 1

(14:22) Racer Session, Pt. 2

(20:07) Racer Session, Pt. 3

SIMF #32 – 2017

The 32nd Seattle Improvised Music Festival took place on Feb. 2-4, 2017, presented by Nonsequitur with assistance from a Neighborhood & Community Arts grant from Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. It was co-curated and co-organized by Greg Campbell, Kate Olson, and Steve Peters. All events took place at the Good Shepherd Center Chapel in Wallingford. The poster was designed by Bruce C. Mitchell.

Most of the artists invited this year had never played the festival before. In recent years the concert format was three 30-minute (approx.) curated ensemble sets per night. This year there were three 20-minute sets, plus a 30-minute set featuring a visiting guest artist playing solo and with other musicians of their choosing.

In addition to the usual evening concerts, several other new components were added this year. Each night there was a “merch mart,” at which local labels and individual artists were invited to table their improvised music releases. On Saturday afternoon there was a workshop for improvising dancers and musicians, facilitated by dancer Sheri Cohen and musician Dave Knott. On Saturday evening before the concert there was a potluck and community discussion about the future of the festival.

Participating artists:

Steve Barsotti, field recordings/homemades; Heather Bentley, viola; Brian Chin, trumpet; Arrington de Dionyso, woodwinds (Olympia); Douglas R. Ewart, woodwinds (Minneapolis); James Falzone, clarinet/piano; Mike Gamble, guitar (Portland); Lori Goldston, cello [not listed on poster or program]; Natalie Mai Hall, cello [on poster/program but did not attend]; Robin Holcomb, piano; Jeff Johnson, bass; Catherine Lee, oboe/oboe d’amore (Portland); Lisa Cay Miller, piano (Vancouver, BC); Nicole Mitchell, flutes (Chicago); Michaud Savage, classical guitar; Bonnie Whiting, percussion; Evan Woodle, drums

PHOTO ALBUM HERE

Thursday, February 2
Duo – James Falzone, Bonnie Whiting
Trio – Heather Bentley, Robin Holcomb, Nicole Mitchell
Quartet – Heather Bentley, Brian Chin, Michaud Savage, Bonnie Whiting
Solo – Lisa Cay Miller + Duo with James Falzone

Friday, February 3
Duo – Jeff Johnson, Evan Woodle
Quartet – Douglas R. Ewart, Robin Holcomb, Catherine Lee, Jeff Johnson
Quartet – Steve Barsotti, Brian Chin, Arrington de Dionyso, Mike Gamble
Solo – Nicole Mitchell + Duo with Michaud Savage + Quartet with Douglas R. Ewart, Lisa Cay Miller

Saturday, February 4
Duo – Mike Gamble, Evan Woodle
Trio – Steve Barsotti, James Falzone, Arrington de Dionyso
Quartet – Heather Bentley, Catherine Lee, Lisa Cay Miller, Bonnie Whiting
Solo – Douglas R. Ewart solo + Quintet with Steve Barsotti, Heather Bentley, Lori Goldston, Lisa Cay Miller

SIMF #31 – 2016

The 31st Seattle Improvised Music Festival took place February 4-6, 2016, presented by Nonsequitur with assistance from a Neighborhood & Community Arts grant from Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. It was organized by Paul Hoskin, with assistance from Greg Campbell and Steve Peters.

PHOTO ALBUM HERE

Participating artists:

Greg Campbell, percussion; Alan Cook, percussion (Longview, WA); Lesli Dalaba, trumpet; Carol Genetti, voice (Chicago); Jen Gilleran, percussion; Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet; Tari Nelson-Zagar, violin; Kate Olson, soprano sax; Dennis Rea, electric guitar; Matana Roberts, alto sax (NYC); Leslie Ross, bassoon (Maine); John Seman, bass; Wilson Shook, alto sax; Beth Yip, trombone

Thursday, February 4
Duo – Leslie Ross, Paul Hoskin
Quartet – Alan Cook, Lesli Dalaba, Carol Genetti, Wilson Shook
Quartet – Jen Gilleran, Tari Nelson-Zagar, Matana Roberts, Beth Yip

Friday, February 5
Duo – Carol Genetti, Dennis Rea
Quartet – Greg Campbell, Kate Olson, Matana Roberts, Wilson Shook
Quartet – Alan Cook, Tari Nelson-Zagar, Leslie Ross, John Seman

Saturday, February 6
Duo – Matana Roberts, Alan Cook
Quartet – Lesli Dalaba, Jen Gilleran, Dennis Rea, Leslie Ross
Quartet – Carol Genetti, Kate Olson, John Seman, Beth Yip

Recordings by Rob Angus:

(10:50) Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet / Leslie Ross, bassoon

(26:54) Alan Cook, drums / Lesli Dalaba, trumpet / Carol Genetti, voice / Wilson Shook, sax

(23:11) Jen Gilleran, drums / Tari Nelson-Zagar, violin / Matana Roberts, sax / Beth Yip, trombone – #1

(13:39) Jen Gilleran, drums / Tari Nelson-Zagar, violin / Matana Roberts, sax / Beth Yip, trombone – #2

(15:11) Carol Genetti, voice / Dennis Rea, guitar – Pt. 1

(19:22) Carol Genetti, voice / Dennis Rea, guitar – Pt. 2

(11:29) Greg Campbell, percussion / Kate Olson, sax / Matana Roberts, sax / Wilson Shook, sax – Pt. 1

(26:57) Greg Campbell, percussion / Kate Olson, sax / Matana Roberts, sax / Wilson Shook, sax – Pt. 2

(25:40) Alan Cook, drums / Tari Nelson-Zagar, violin / Leslie Ross, bassoon / John Seman, bass

(23:27) Alan Cook, drums / Matana Roberts, sax – #1

(11:27) Alan Cook, drums / Matana Roberts, sax – #2

(17:24) Lesli Dalaba, trumpet / Jen Gilleran, drums / Dennis Rea, guitar / Lesli Ross, bassoon – Pt. 1

(12:15) Lesli Dalaba, trumpet / Jen Gilleran, drums / Dennis Rea, guitar / Lesli Ross, bassoon – Pt. 2

(22:59) Carol Genetti, voice / Kate Olson, sax / John Seman, bass / Beth Yip, trombone

SIMF #30 – 2015

The 30th Seattle Improvised Music Festival took place on February 6-8, 2015 at the Good Shepherd Center Chapel, presented by Nonsequitur and organized by Paul Hoskin with assistance from Greg Campbell and Steve Peters. To celebrate SIMF’s 30th anniversary, the beginning points of Seattle’s creative improvised music were featured — a sample, to highlight its growth and expansion.

Participating artists:

Angelina Baldoz, trumpet; Greg Campbell, percussion; Stuart Dempster, trombone; Lori Goldston, cello; Alex Guy, viola/violin; Sue Ann Harkey, prepared guitar; Paul Hoskin, clarinets; Chris Icasiano, drums; Greg Kelley, trumpet; Jessika Kenney, voice/electronics; Mazen Kerbaj, trumpet (Beirut, Lebanon); Dave Knott, classical guitar/homemades; Susie Kozawa, homemades/objects; Carol Levin, harp; Bill Nace, guitar (Northampton, MA); Matthew Ostrowski, electronics (Brooklyn); Christian Pincock, trombone; Greg Powers, trombone/tuba; Monica Schley, harp; Wally Shoup, sax; Neil Welch, sax

Thursday, February 6
Duo – Paul Hoskin, Matthew Ostrowski
Quartet – Angelina Baldoz, Stuart Dempster, Mazen Kerbaj, Greg Powers
Trio – Alex Guy, Dave Knott, Bill Nace

Friday, February 7
Trio – Chris Icasiano, Mazen Kerbaj, Christian Pincock
Trio – Greg Kelley, Bill Nace, Wally Shoup
Trio – Jessika Kenney, Susie Kozawa, Matthew Ostrowski

Saturday, February 8
Trio – Carol Levin, Monica Schley, Neil Welch
Trio – Greg Campbell, Lori Goldston, Sue Ann Harkey
Trio – Mazen Kerbaj, Bill Nace, Matthew Ostrowski

Recordings by Rob Angus:

(14:39) Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet / Matthew Ostrowski, electronics – Pt. 1

(14:10) Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet / Matthew Ostrowski, electronics – Pt. 2

(25:30) Angelina Baldoz, trumpet / Stuart Dempster, trombone / Mazen Kerbaj, trumpet / Greg Powers, trumpet

(22:55) Alex Guy, viola / Dave Knott, guitar / Bill Nace, guitar

(19:00) Chris Icasiano, drums / Mazen Kerbaj, trumpet / Christian Pincock, trombone – Pt. 1

(14:27) Chris Icasiano, drums / Mazen Kerbaj, trumpet / Christian Pincock, trombone – Pt. 2

(23:57) Greg Kelley, trumpet / Bill Nace, guitar / Wally Shoup, sax

(21:18) Jessika Kenney, voice/electronics / Susie Kozawa, various / Matthew Ostrowski, electronics

(4:28) Carol Levin, harp / Monica Schley, harp / Neil Welch, sax – #1

(13:21) Carol Levin, harp / Monica Schley, harp / Neil Welch, sax – #2

(7:21) Carol Levin, harp / Monica Schley, harp / Neil Welch, sax – #3

(23:23) Greg Campbell, percussion / Lori Goldston, cello / Sue Ann Harkey, guitar

(11:35) Mazen Kerbaj, trumpet / Bill Nace, guitar / Matthew Ostrowski, electronics – Pt. 1

(17:03) Mazen Kerbaj, trumpet / Bill Nace, guitar / Matthew Ostrowski, electronics – Pt. 2

SIMF #29 – 2014

The 29th Seattle Improvised Music Festival took place February 6-8, 2014 at Good Shepherd Center Chapel in Wallingford, presented by Seattle Improvised Music and Nonsequitur. It was curated by Gust Burns and Paul Hoskin.

Participating artists:

Gust Burns, piano/dub plates/turntable; Greg Campbell, percussion; Beth Fleenor, clarinets; Bill Horist, guitar; Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet; Matt Ingalls, clarinet (Bay Area); Bonnie Jones, electronics (Baltimore); Paul Kikuchi, percussion; Joe Morris, guitar (Boston); Andrea Neumann, autoharp (Berlin); Naomi Siegel, trombone/electronics; Jeffrey Taylor, guitar; Jenny Ziefel, clarinets; Jacob Zimmerman, sax

Thursday, February 6
Solo – Matt Ingalls
Trio – Bill Horist, Joe Morris, Jeffrey Taylor
Quartet – Beth Fleenor, Paul Hoskin, Matt Ingalls, Jenny Ziefel

Friday, February 7
Solo – Joe Morris
Duo – Gust Burns, Andrea Neumann
Trio – Bonnie Jones, Naomi Siegel, Jonathan Way

Saturday, February 8
Duo – Bonnie Jones, Andrea Neumann
Trio – Gust Burns, Joe Morris, Jacob Zimmerman
Trio – Greg Campbell, Matt Ingalls, Paul Kikuchi

Recordings by Rob Angus:

(17:03) Matt Ingalls, clarinet – Pt. 1

(15:55) Matt Ingalls, clarinet – Pt. 2

(10:21) Bill Horist, guitar / Joe Morris, guitar / Jeffrey Taylor, guitar – #1

(11:55) Bill Horist, guitar / Joe Morris, guitar / Jeffrey Taylor, guitar – #2

(10:02) Bill Horist, guitar / Joe Morris, guitar / Jeffrey Taylor, guitar – #3

(8:25) Bill Horist, guitar / Joe Morris, guitar / Jeffrey Taylor, guitar – #4

(7:15) Bill Horist, guitar / Joe Morris, guitar / Jeffrey Taylor, guitar – #5

(7:53) Bill Horist, guitar / Joe Morris, guitar / Jeffrey Taylor, guitar – #6

(17:42) Beth Fleenor, clarinet / Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet / Matt Ingalls, clarinet / Jenny Ziefel, bass clarinet – #1

(3:13) Beth Fleenor, clarinet / Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet / Matt Ingalls, clarinet / Jenny Ziefel, bass clarinet – #2

(7:11) Beth Fleenor, clarinet / Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet / Matt Ingalls, clarinet / Jenny Ziefel, bass clarinet – #3

(14:00) Joe Morris, guitar – #1

(12:50) Joe Morris, guitar – #2

(7:51) Joe Morris, guitar – #3

(26:02) Gust Burns, dub plates/turntable / Andrea Neumann, autoharp

(24:12) Bonnie Jones, electronics / Naomi Siegel, trombone / Jonathan Way, field recordings

(26:41) Bonnie Jones, electronics / Andrea Neumann, autoharp

(18:43) Gust Burns, piano / Joe Morris, guitar / Jacob Zimmerman, sax – #1

(7:43) Gust Burns, piano / Joe Morris, guitar / Jacob Zimmerman, sax – #2

(12:30) Gust Burns, piano / Joe Morris, guitar / Jacob Zimmerman, sax – #3

(10:22) Gust Burns, piano / Joe Morris, guitar / Jacob Zimmerman, sax – #4

(22:24) Greg Campbell, percussion / Matt Ingalls, clarinet / Paul Kikuchi, percussion – #1

(12:06) Greg Campbell, percussion / Matt Ingalls, clarinet / Paul Kikuchi, percussion – #2

SIMF #28 – 2013

The 28th Seattle Improvised Music Festival took place February 7-9, 2013, presented by Seattle Improvised Music and Nonsequitur. It was co-curated by Gust Burns and Paul Hoskin. Craig Taborn gave a lecture at Cornish College of the Arts on Friday, Feb. 8 and there was an afternoon concert by Gust Burns and Craig Taborn at Gallery 1412 on Feb. 9. All other events took place at Good Shepherd Center Chapel in Wallingford.

Participating artists:

Ivan Arteaga, alto sax; Gust Burns, piano; Greg Campbell, percussion; Mark Collins, bass; Stuart Dempster, trombone; Amy Denio, clarinet/voice; Tucker Dulin, trombone (Brooklyn); Beth Fleenor, clarinet/voice; Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet; Paul Kikuchi, percussion; Tari Nelson-Zagar, violin; Mark Ostrowski, percussion; Greg Powers, trombone/tuba; Monica Schley, harp; LaDonna Smith, violin/viola/ voice (Birmingham, AL); Craig Taborn, piano (NYC); Jonathan Way, field recordings

Thursday, February 7
Quartet – Amy Denio, Beth Fleenor, Paul Hoskin, LaDonna Smith,
Trio – Tucker Dulin, Stuart Dempster, Greg Powers
Trio – Ivan Arteaga, Paul Kikuchi, Craig Taborn

Friday, February 8
Craig Taborn lecture (12 PM at Cornish College of the Arts)
Quartet – Gust Burns, Mark Collins, Tucker Dulin, Jonathan Way
Solo – LaDonna Smith
Trio – Paul Hoskin, Mark Ostrowski, Craig Taborn

Saturday, February 9
Duo – Gust Burns, Craig Taborn (1 PM, Gallery 1412)
Trio – Tari Nelson-Zagar, Monica Schley, LaDonna Smith
Duo – Greg Campbell, Craig Taborn
Solo – Tucker Dulin

SIMF #27 – 2012

The 27th Seattle Improvised Music Festival took place February 8-11, 2012 at Good Shepherd Center Chapel in Wallingford, presented by Seattle Improvised Music and Nonsequitur with assistance of a Neighborhood & Community Arts grant from Seattle Office of Cultural Affairs. It was curated by Gust Burns and Paul Hoskin.

Participating artists:

Jason E. Anderson, modular synth; Steve Barsotti, filed recordings (Phonographers Union); Gust Burns, piano; Matt Carlson, electronics (Portland); Mark Collins, bass; Jamie Drouin, objects/electronics (Berlin); Tim DuRoche, drums (Portland); Doug Haire, field recordings (Phonographers Union); Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet; Jeph Jerman, objects (Cottonwood, AZ); Tari Nelson-Zagar, violin; Johan Nystrom, percussion (Philadelphia); Lance Austin Olsen, field recordings (Victoria, BC); Steve Peters, field recordings (Phonographers Union); Matthieu Ruhlmann, objects/electronics (Vancouver, BC); Seattle Phonographers Union, field recordings (Barsotti, Haire, Peters, Lloyd, Way); Mara Sedlins, viola; Wilson Shook, alto saxophone; Taku; Sugimoto, electric guitar (Tokyo); John Teske, contrabass; Doug Theriault, electronics (Portland); Jonathan Way, field recordings (Phonographers Union); Tyler Wilcox, saxophones; Jack Wright, saxophones (Philadelphia)

Wednesday, February 8
Trio – Jeph Jerman, Matthieu Ruhlmann, Jonathan Way (watch video)
Quintet – Mark Collins, Paul Hoskin, Lance Austin Olsen, Wilson Shook, John Teske (watch video)
Quintet – Seattle Phonographers Union
Trio – Jamie Drouin, Lance Austin Olsen, Mattieu Ruhlmann

Thursday, February 9
Quartet – Jamie Drouin, Matthieu Ruhlmann, John Teske, Jonathan Way
Quartet – Mark Collins, Mara Sedlins, Taku Sugimoto, John Teske (composition by Sugimoto)
Quintet – Mark Collins, Jamie Drouin, Lance Austin Olsen, Mara Sedlins, Jack Wright
Trio – Paul Hoskin, Jeph Jerman, Doug Theriault

Friday, February 10
Duo – Jason Anderson, Matthew Carlson
Trio – Gust Burns, Tim DuRoche, Jack Wright
Quartet – Jeph Jerman, Mara Sedlins, Jonathan Way, Tyler Wilcox
Solo – Taku Sugimoto

Saturday, February 11
Quintet – Mark Collins, Tim DuRoche, Tari Nelson-Zagar, Wilson Shook, Doug Theriault
Duo- Johan Nystrom, Jack Wright
Quartet – Gust Burns, Jeph Jerman, Taku Sugimoto, Tyler Wilcox (this set was released on a CD)
Large Group – All of the above

A Spiral Cage blog review

Recordings of Seattle Phonographers Union by Steve Barsotti (group probably included Barsotti, Doug Haire, Steve Peters, Dale Lloyd, Jonathan Way):

(17:57) Seattle Phonographers Union, field recordings – Part 1

(12:24) Seattle Phonographers Union, field recordings – Part 2

Review in The Sunbreak by Dana Wen, Feb. 14, 2012:

Performers Stretch Sonic Boundaries at Seattle Improvised Music Festival

For nearly three decades, the Seattle Improvised Music Festival (SIMF) has gathered improvisational musicians from around the globe to create and present original avant garde works. This year’s SIMF, which concluded last weekend, spanned over four nights and drew musicians from countries around the world, including Japan, Germany, and Canada. The international visitors collaborated with veterans from the local music scene in a variety of ensembles.

All festival concerts were held in the beautiful Chapel Performance Space at Wallingford’s historic Good Shepherd Center. Thursday night’s performance brought together a diverse group of instrumentalists for three improvisational performances and one world premiere composition.

Most of the works featured collaborations between musicians playing acoustic instruments (double bass, viola, and saxophone, among others) and musicians using electronics, objects, and recorded samples to create musical sounds.

Thursday night’s performances were fairly minimalist and spanned about a half hour each. These sparse, sprawling improvisations were sometimes hard to follow, but encouraged listeners to focus on the sounds created by each musician.

The performers often experimented with their instruments to generate a variety of musical timbres and textures. String players tapped on their instruments to create a drumming sound, and wind players experimented with removing the reeds from their instruments.

Japanese guitarist Taku Sugimoto gave a world premiere performance of an original composition for guitar, viola, and two double basses. This minimalist work contrasted the plucked sound of the guitar with the bowed sound of the other string instruments. The pattern of a single short guitar note followed by a held unison note in the other strings was repeated throughout the piece.

Since melody is virtually nonexistent in this type of improvisational music, the SIMF concerts can be challenging for listeners accustomed to the melodic songs and pieces heard on the radio and in most concert halls. However, for those looking to expand their musical horizons, the SIMF is an excellent way to experience live music in an entirely new way.

SIMF #26 – 2011

The 26th Seattle Improvised Music Festival took plane on February 9-12, 2011. It was curated by Gust Burns, Steve Peters, and Tyler Wilcox and presented by Seattle Improvised Music and Nonsequitur at the Good Shepherd Center Chapel.

Participating artists:

Jeffrey Allport, percussion (Vancouver, BC); Gill Arno, radios (NYC); Gust Burns, piano; Lou Cohen, laptop/Csound + Wiimotes (Boston); James Coleman, theremin (Boston); Mark Collins, bass; Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet; Andrew Lafkas, bass (NYC); Radu Malfatti, trombone (Vienna); Mara Sedlins, viola [did not appear due to illness]; Wilson Shook, alto saxophone; John Teske, bass; Tyler Wilcox, soprano saxophone

Wednesday, February 9
Solo – Andrew Lafkas
Solo – James Coleman
Trio – Gill Arno, Wilson Shook
Trio – Jeffrey Allport, Gust Burns, Tyler Wilcox

Thursday, February 10
Duo – Jeffrey Allport, Andrew Lafkas
Duo – Lou Cohen, Paul Hoskin
Quartet – Gust Burns, Andrew Lafkas, Radu Malfatti, Tyler Wilcox

Friday, February 11
Trio – James Coleman, Mark Collins, Mara Sedlins
Solo – Lou Cohen
Sextet – Jeffrey Allport, Gill Arno, Gust Burns, Lou Cohen, James Coleman, Andrew Lafkas

Saturday, February 12 (not recorded?)
Duo – Gill Arno, Andrew Lafkas
Tentet- Jeffrey Allport, Gill Arno, Gust Burns, Lou Cohen, James Coleman, Andrew Lafkas, Radu Malfatti, Wilson Shook, John Teske, Tyler Wilcox
Solo – Radu Malfatti (Claude Lorraine 1 by Malfatti trombone/sine waves + simultaneous improvisation by Tyler Wilcox)

Recordings by Rob Angus:

(24:59) Andrew Lafkas, bass

(20:54) James Coleman, theremin

(26:59) Gil Arno, radios / Wilson Shook, sax

(16:08) Jeffrey Allport, percussion / Gust Burns, piano / Tyler Wilcox, sax – Part 1

(15:54) Jeffrey Allport, percussion / Gust Burns, piano / Tyler Wilcox, sax – Part 2

(17:02) Jeffrey Allport, percussion / Andrew Lafkas, bass – Part 1

(17:59) Jeffrey Allport, percussion / Andrew Lafkas, bass – Part 2

(19:55) Lou Cohen, laptop / Paul Hoskin, contrabass clarinet

(24:25) Gust Burns, piano / Andrew Lafkas, bass / Radu Malfatti, trombone / Tyler Wilcox, sax – Part 1

Gust Burns, piano / Andrew Lafkas, bass / Radu Malfatti, trombone / Tyler Wilcox, sax – Part 2

(22:59) James Coleman, theremin / Mark Collins, bass / Mara Sedlins, viola

(14:37) Lou Cohen, laptop

(24:56) Gil Arno, radios / Jeffrey Allport, percussion / Gust Burns, piano / Lou Cohen, laptop / Anthony Coleman, theremin / Andrew Lafkas, bass

(35:26) Claude Lorraine 1 by Radu Malfatti, trombone/sine waves + simultaneous improvisation by Tyler Wilcox, soprano sax

(26:02) Heiki 1 by Radu Malfatti, trombone + Jeffrey Allport / Gust Burns / Andrew Lafkas / John Teske / Tyler Wilcox