Bay Area Improvisers Network
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area Creative Music Community
Bay Area Improviser's Network was created to provide a forum for Creative Musicians in the San Francisco Bay area. At this site, you can find musician's biographical information, upcoming concert info, reviews, links to other sites, and more.
We don't want to rigidly define what constitutes "Creative Music", but the emphasis of this site is on the form of improvised music which had its genesis in the "Avant-Garde" or "Free Jazz" artists of the 60s and early 70s. Early innovators include John Coltrane, Cecil Taylor, Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler, and the members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Music (Roscoe Mitchell, Anthony Braxton, Richard Abrams, Joseph Jarman, Henry Threadgill, etc.).
Over the years, the music has embraced influences from European improvisers and contemporary classical composers, but still retains a strong connection to the Free Jazz movement.
http://www.bayimproviser.com
APRIL 2006
Sat 4/15 8:00 PM First Unitarian Universalist Church [1187 Franklin (at Geary), San Francisco]
"Drums of Earth: Earth-Shake in Spring", a contemplative, improvisational solo concert by multi-instrumentalist David Auerbach the Improvisator, performer of ancient instruments in awesome acoustics of caves and sacred spaces, will commemorate the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake centennial with ancient drums and other rare instruments in this historic (1889) quake-survivor landmark church sanctuary. Musical sounds and dynamics will evoke the power and mystery of the natural world. Information is available at http://www.cavemusic.net or by phoning (707) 224-4222.
Sat 4/15 8:00 PM Recombinant Media Labs [San Francisco]
LIVE SURROUND SESSIONS with
CURTIS ROADS w Brian O'Reilly
YASUANO TONE
FLORIAN HECKER
Sat 4/15 9:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Gregg Kowalsky "Through the Cardial Window" CD Release
Gregg Kowalsky performs material from his new ambient noise/electronic music CD out on Kranky. Also performing: Luz Alibi, Joshua Churchill, Pink Canoes
Sun 4/16 7:30 PM Casa Ninja [location in response to email reservation: ellenfullman@yahoo.com]
Ellen Fullman and Sean Meehan collaboration
Mon 4/17 8:15 AM KUSF San Francisco [90.3 FM]
David Harrington of Kronos Quartet; Walter Kitundu; and possibly Matmos drop in to discuss with Prem their upcoming performances Friday & Saturday, 4/21/06+4/22/06 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. A live-in-studio performance is expected.
Mon 4/17 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Fred Frith/Marque Gilmore
Tue 4/18 9:15 PM The Parkway Theater [1834 Park Blvd. Oakland ]
Oaklandish "Local Love" Video-Fest at the Parkway Speakeasy Theater
Wed 4/19 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Evander Music Presents: Phillip Greenlief & Jon Raskin's 2 + 2 Concert Series
A monthly series of concerts featuring Greenlief & Raskin in performance with duos of "like instruments", this month features 8pm Chris Brown & Tim Perkis on live electronics.
9pm Vinny Golia: Music for Large Ensemble
Thu 4/20 8:00 PM Luggage Store Gallery New Music Series [1007 Market St. @ 6th Street SF]
Christopher Fleeger: Computer/controllers
&
Agnes Szelag (cello/electronics) with Ben Bracken (guitar/electronics)
Thu 4/20 8:00 PM Mills College Concert Hall [5000 MacArthur Blvd Oakland]
Emily Packard peforms a violin recital of new, improvised and 20th century music. The program includes works by Luciano Berio, Morton Feldman, Charles Ives, Annie Gosfield, Jonathan Russell and Zachary Watkins and features many talented Bay Area musicians and dancers.
Thu 4/20 9:30 PM Hemlock Tavern [1131 Polk Street Between Post and Sutter SF]
Old Time Relijun
Fri 4/21 8:00 PM Artists' Television Access [992 Valencia Street @21st SF]
Marfa and Ne-af (la)
Earthen Sea
Holy Matrimony
Core of the Coal Man
Fri 4/21 8:00 PM Simple Pleasures Cafe [3434 Balboa @ 36th Avenue, San Francisco (Richmond District)]
Sven Leeback: Alan Anzalone (reeds), Kurt Morgan (guitar), Chris Brown (double bass), Curtis Hollenbeck (cornet)
Fri 4/21 8:00 PM College of Marin - FA 72 [835 College Avenue, Kentfield, Fine Arts Room 72]
Chaos Butterfly (Dina Emerson and Jonathan Segel) with Tara Flandreau on viola.
Fri 4/21 8:00 PM Zaccho Dance Theatre [1777 Yosemite Ave, Ste # 330 San Francisco]
Joanna Haigood will be presenting "Io and Her and the Trouble with Him", a dance opera, composed by Pauline Oliveros, which retells the Greek myth of Io from a matriatchal perspective. The evening features performances by Amara Tabor Smith, Suzanne Gallo, Susan Voyticky, Sheila Lopez, and Sonya Smith. Also on the program is a piece by Pauline Oliveros and Ione entitled, "Dreamless Sleep".
Fri 4/21 8:00 PM Mills College Concert Hall [5000 MacArthur Blvd Oakland, CA 94613]
Intermedia Senior Show
Join us for an evening of interdisciplinary works including sound, video, performance and installations by: Cecilia Elguero, Katie Mathis, Ava Mendoza, Praba Pilar, Mariah Robinson and Katie Stanford.
Fri 4/21 8:00 PM Yerba Buena Center for the Arts [700 Howard St. @3rd SF]
Kronos Quartet joins forces with local experimental music superstars Matmos and Walter Kitundu in this celebration of sound art.
Fri 4/21 9:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
3 sets of improvised jazz/free rock with Triple B (Jen Baker, Matt Chandler, Anthony Dryer), The Aurora Josephson Quintet (Aurora, Liz Allbee, Aram Shelton, Damon Smith, Weasel Walter) and Oaxacan
Sat 4/22 8:00 PM Yerba Buena Center for the Arts [700 Howard St. @3rd SF]
Kronos Quartet joins forces with local experimental music superstars Matmos and Walter Kitundu in this celebration of sound art.
Sat 4/22 8:00 PM Zaccho Dance Theatre [1777 Yosemite Ave, Ste# 330 San Francisco]
Joanna Haigood will be presenting "Io and Her and the Trouble with Him", a dance opera, composed by Pauline Oliveros, which retells the Greek myth of Io from a matriatchal perspective. The evening features performances by Amara Tabor Smith, Suzanne Gallo, Susan Voyticky, Sheila Lopez, and Sonya Smith. Also on the program is a piece by Pauline Oliveros and Ione entitled, "Dreamless Sleep".
Sat 4/22 8:00 PM Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church [609 South Wood Drive South San Francisco]
christof Linhuber is on tour from Germany bringing his amazing hand crafted monochord and gong instruments (including a table that you lie on while being played by strings underneath!)for an improvisational evening of bliss, transcendance and joy. A not to be missed, one of a kind experience!
Sat 4/22 9:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Unsound Resound 2: Thomas Dimuzio & Larry Thrasher & Jai Young Kim
A summit of sorts of veteran electronic musicians, this show features Thomas Dimuzio, Larry Thrasher and Jai Young Kim performing solo and in various groupings, with video by Jon Weber.
Sun 4/23 4:00 PM Chez Hanny [145 Fillmore Street (@Waller) San Francisco, CA 94117]
Patti Wicks @Chez Hanny
Sun 4/23 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Conduction #2: Bay Area musicians present compositions and guided improvisations for orchestra.
Featuring Gino Robair, Cheryl Leonard, Matt Ingalls & Tom Duff
Mon 4/24 8:30 AM KUSF San Francisco [90.3 FM]
Joan Jeanrenaud drops in to discuss with Prem her upcoming show with 4 Cellos to take place Saturday, 4/29/06 at Mission Blue Center in Brisbane.
Wed 4/26 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Darren Johnston, solo trumpet + electronics
Cornelius Boots, solo bass clarinet + electronics
duo B. (Lisa Mezzacappa, bass + Jason Levis, drums/percussion)
Thu 4/27 8:00 PM Luggage Store Gallery New Music Series [1007 Market St. @ 6th Street SF]
8pm "Bald Ambition"
drummer Stephen Flinn begins solo drum tour
9pm Crop Circles
Zone - electric cello
John Vaughn - saxophones
An esoteric brew of electric cello and saxophone in a sonic blender.
Fri 4/28 8:00 PM CounterPULSE [1310 Mission St. San Francisco, CA]
Intermedia group DOUBLE VISION and choreographer Amy Lewis split an evening of innovative dance, video, and sound. The performance will showcase works inspired by disembodied heads, mapping of social and mathematic structures, and survival strategies of Pier 39's waltzing sea lions.
Fri 4/28 8:00 PM Art Performance Lab (APL) [1510 8th Street Oakland]
Culture of Pain CD release concert with Rent Romus’ Lords of Outland
Rent Romus, C.J. Reaven Borosque, Ray Schaeffer, Philip Everrett, Jim Ryan, Darren Johnston, Scott R. Looney, and Damon Smith. An abstract sound protest from Ayler to free improvisation to create something positive in a society based on destruction and power games.
Fri 4/28 8:00 PM Jewish Community Center - Kanbar Hall [3200 California (at Presidio) San Francisco]
Rova:Arts presents Rovaté 2006, an annual celebration of improvised music and other arts, featuring the World Premiere performances of GlassHead—a major collaboration among the Rova Saxophone Quartet, Butoh-inspired dance collective inkBoat (featuring Shinichi Momo Koga and Yuko Kaseki), and multimedia artist Eric Koziol.
Fri 4/28 9:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Friday, April 28 North America + OOGOG + Robbie Lee 9PM, $6-10
Robbie Lee (NYC) performs solo improvisations with electric guitar, loop pedals, flutes and soprano saxophone, bells, and most importantly the spirit of eternal vibrations of space (aka worship of the sun god Minimalism and the moon god Maximalism). Lee is the proprietor of I and Ear Records.
OOGOG is an experimental/ avant-jazz/rock/new music group featuring Jon Russell, clarinets/saxophones; Ryan Brown, electric guitar; Damon Waitkus, electric bass; Josh Campbell, piano/keyboards. Oogog plays rhythmically complex instrumental compositions played loudly with moments of complete chaos.
North America fuses ambient music with rock, and consists of Tom Peyton, Leo Kremer, and Liam Staskawicz, taking turns on drums, bass, trombone, keyboards, guitars, and electronics.
Sat 4/29 8:00 PM CounterPULSE [1310 Mission St. San Francisco]
Intermedia group DOUBLE VISION and choreographer Amy Lewis split an evening of innovative dance, video, and sound. The performance will showcase works inspired by disembodied heads, mapping of social and mathematic structures, and survival strategies of Pier 39's waltzing sea lions.
Sat 4/29 8:30 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Saturday, April 29 Sarah Wilson Quintet + Wayne Grim solo 8:30PM, $6-10
Composer/trumpeter/vocalist Sarah Wilson recently transplanted from NYC will play original tunes with Ben Goldberg (clarinets), John Schott (electric guitar), Devin Hoff (bass), and Scott Amendola (drums).
Wayne Grim begins the evening performing solo improvisations and compositions for guitar.
Sat 4/29 10:00 PM Stork Club [2330 Telegraph Avenue Oakland]
Weasel Walter Quartet + Sacchrinne Trust
Sun 4/30 7:30 PM SIMM Series/Outsound Research [Musicians Union Hall 116 9th St @ Mission SF]
TBA
Sun 4/30 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Sunday, April 30 Police Bin {under} Rock + Sizemo 8PM, $6-10
Police Bin {under} Rock is an improvising quartet born out of an internet discussion about the strictures of genre classification in record stores. PB{u}R features Phillip Greenlief , John Hanes (Chrome, Romeo Void), Gino Robair (Thinking Fellers Union), and Moe! Staiano (Sleepytime Gorrilla Museum).
Sizemo plays "Evolved Rock," with roots in progressive rock, jazz fusion, and "World music."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY 2006
Tue 5/2 8:00 PM Mills College Concert Hall [5000 MacArthur Blvd Oakland]
The Mills Contemporary Performance Ensemble presents a concert of recent compositions by Byron, Brenner, plus Christian Wolff's "Excercises" and ensemble improvisations.
Thu 5/4 7:30 PM Hemlock Tavern [1131 Polk Street Between Post and Sutter SF]
First west coast appearance for free jazz master Joe Morris, guitar. Joined by local guitarist Henry Kaiser, Damon Smith on amplified double bass, and drummer Weasel Walter.
Thu 5/4 8:00 PM Luggage Store Gallery New Music Series [1007 Market St. @ 6th Street SF]
TBA
Fri 5/5 8:00 PM 1510 8th St Performance Space [1510 8th Street Oakland]
Kristian Aspelin - guitar /Joe Morris - guitar & Steve Adams - reeds/ Jacob Lindsay -clarinets/ Joe Morris - guitar / Damon Smith - double bass
Sat 5/6 2:00 PM 1510 8th St Performance Space [1510 8th Street Oakland]
Joe Morris Improvisation Workshop
Sat 5/6 7:30 PM 24th Street Theater Works Gallery [2405 24th Street @ Vermont, SF]
The Greatest Little Big Band in the History of the Megaverse: John Gruntfest,alto saxophone,Megan Bierman,tenor saxophone, Jack Duval,drums. Plus SQWONK: Bass Clarinets Gone Wild! Jeff Anderle and Jon Russell. Admission includes delectable Morning Glory Chai and Lovemore Gourmet Chocolates by Laura and Trish.
Sat 5/6 8:00 PM Berkeley Piano Club [2724 Haste St, Berkeley ]
Pianist Davide Verotta performs solo works from the 18th to 21st centuries, including ultra-recent compositions of local composers and of his own. http://davide.gipibird.net/upcoming
Sat 5/6 8:00 PM Trinity Chapel [2320 Dana Street, Berkeley]
sfSoundGroup performs John Cage's "Concert for Piano for Orchestra", Anton Webern's Op. 7 and Op. 22, Mauricio Kagel's "Con Voce", Gerard Grisey's "Solo Pour Deux", and new works by Matt Ingalls and David Bithell.
Sat 5/6 8:00 PM 1510 8th St Performance Space [1510 8th Street Oakland]
Joe Morris: Improvised music+food. Morris performs solo, with Oluyemi Thomas, Spirit, Scott R. Looney. Also featured is a performance by the Morris Workshop Ensemble.
Sun 5/7 7:30 PM SIMM Series/Outsound Research [Musicians Union Hall 116 9th St @ Mission SF]
TBA
Sun 5/7 8:30 PM Old Ironsides [1901 10th St Sacramento]
duo B. (Lisa Mezzacappa, bass + Jason Levis, drums/percussion) Tri-Colored Tent Show
Wed 5/10 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
The illustrious power trio of Larry Ochs (sax), Fred Frith (guitar), and Scott Amendola (drums) play two sets of sparking and sparkling improvised music.
Wed 5/10 8:00 PM Davies Symphony Hall [201 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco]
A neo-gothic cabaret with Viennese avant-garde vocalist HK Gruber and the San Francisco Symphony, set to children's poems evoking monsters and superheroes, performed with a full orchestra and including toy instruments, including paper bags and a toy piano.
Thu 5/11 8:00 PM Luggage Store Gallery New Music Series [1007 Market St. @ 6th Street SF]
Some folks from Chicago (Katherine Young - Bassoon, Carol Genetti - Voice, Adam Sonderberg - electronics) play solos and duos, improvisations and compositions with some folks from here (Kyle Bruckman - Oboe, Damon Smith - Doublebass, Theresa Wong - Cello).
Thu 5/11 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Mills Graduation party and concert featuring Slow Children and a trio with William Winant and Fred Frith.
Thu 5/11 9:00 PM Oakland Metro [201 Broadway Near Jack London Square Oakland]
Moe! Staiano will lead a conducted improvisation of yet another massive rotating Moe!kestra! orchestra that will feature ideals for his next piece, Piece No.9: When Terrie Had Six. Caroliner Rainbow offshot, Commode Minstrels in Bullface will precede.
Fri 5/12 8:00 PM Community Music Center [544 Capp Street Btwn 20th and 21st SF]
Pianist Davide Verotta performs solo works from the 18th to 21st centuries, including ultra-recent compositions of local composers and of his own. For complete program see: http://davide.gipibird.net/upcoming
Fri 5/12 8:00 PM Art Performance Lab (APL) [1510 8th Street Oakland]
Polly Moller (flute and spoken word) & Company -- Subjects of Desire sounds spoken word visuals
Sat 5/13 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Electronic music night of a weekend-long neighborhood music festival. Performances by: Cenk Ergün, Telephonejimjesus, Passage + Bomarr Monk, Sagan (Blevin Blectum & Lesser), Wobbly.
Sat 5/13 8:00 PM The Fishtank [3405 Piedmont Avenue Oakland]
Moe! Staiano's 3rd annual ROCK LOTTO. Musicians get together and form "new rock bands" for one night. Musicians include members from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Splatter Trio, Vermillion Lies, Slydini, Ettrick, Drumhead, She Mob, Darling Freakhead, etc. Rock out with your socks out!
Tue 5/16 7:30 PM Headlands Center for the Arts [944 Fort Barry Marin Headlands Sausalito]
Salon presentation/performance with: duo B. (Lisa Mezzacappa, bass + Jason Levis, drums/percussion) and video artist MAds Lynnerup
Tue 5/16 8:00 PM El Rio [3158 Mission Street (at Cesar Chavez), San Francisco]
Come see GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES!, RION RINKER, and THE SQUALL at El Rio! For FREE!!!
Thu 5/18 8:00 PM Luggage Store Gallery New Music Series [1007 Market St. @ 6th Street SF]
Pink Canoes & Van Boven CD release set of I.E.D. (Improvised Explosive Device)
Sun 5/21 7:30 PM SIMM Series/Outsound Research [Musicians Union Hall 116 9th St @ Mission SF]
TBA
Wed 5/24 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Evander Music Presents: Phillip Greenlief & Jon Raskin's 2 + 2
Phillip Greenlief & Jon Raskin - saxophones with Fred Frith & John Shiurba - guitars
and The Edmund Welles Bass Clarinet Quartet.
Thu 5/25 8:00 PM 21 Grand [416 25th St @Broadway Near 19th Street BART Oakland]
Bruckmann/Kaiser/Anderson/Weasel Walter + Damon Smith/Aurora/Spirit
Thu 5/25 8:00 PM Luggage Store Gallery New Music Series [1007 Market St. @ 6th Street SF]
duo B. with Lisa Mezzacappa & Jason Levis
A very intimate sound world, with a blend of atmospheric pieces with gongs and bowed bass; frenetic pointilistic explosions with marimba and bass; and angular grooves that go to unexpected places.
Fri 5/26 8:00 PM Art Performance Lab (APL) [1510 8th Street Oakland]
Race - jazz from Sacto & COMA - jazz from Stockton -- Race = Tony Passarell saxes, trumpet, keys, flute; Scott Anderson tenor&alto sax, Erik Kleven bass, Tom Monson drums, Ross Hammond guitar, Joaquin McPeek percussion. COMA is John Vaughn alto saxophone, Brian Clark double bass, Dax Compise drums/percussion.
