Recording: Arrington De Dionyso & Pierre-Luc Simon

Artist: Arrington De Dionyso & Pierre-Luc Simon

Song: This Saxophone Kills Fascists [excerpt]

Recorded at Ratio (TONE Festival – Show #7), June 24, 2017.

Arrington De Dionyso & Pierre-Luc Simon - This Saxophone Kills Fascists [excerpt]

Although the local "jazz" festival is anticipated in some quarters, it seemed that too often there was no home there for adventurous and experimental creators. Thus, out of necessity, the TONE Festival was born to give these touring musicians a chance to connect with local audiences and artists. A collaboration between Burn Down the Capital's Tad Michalak, Ron Gaskin (a.k.a. Rough Idea) and Karen Ng and Daniel Pencer, the goal was to create shows that were rewarding for players and listeners alike. Coming after their own funeral series, this was also the last concert at beloved local DIY venue Ratio.

Returning for further excursions with Montréal percussionist Pierre-Luc Simon, Arrington De Dionyso's political and artistic vision has been sharpened up over the past year — "nothing is normal in America right now," he said to me when we were chatting before the show. Stomping his feet, his horn-blasts are the soundtrack to his own march on Washington, fusing Woody Guthrie and Albert Ayler into a form of protest music that not only denounces institutional greed and hate-mongering but also finds its own joyful, healing affirmations.

[Brandon Caswell Douglas was also documenting the show with his video camera — check out his youtube playlist from the night.]