Recording: Agnes

Artist: Agnes

Songs: Sjawm [excerpt] [composer: Rob Clutton] + [set 2 improvisation excerpt]

Recorded at The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), December 16, 2025.

Agnes - Sjawm [excerpt]

Agnes - [set 2 improvisation excerpt]

I last saw this group in their proof-of-concept phase, before they had a name or a Tranzac residency. The formalized unit brings together Mark Zurawinski (percussion), Rob Clutton (double bass), Mira Martin-Gray (guitar, electronics), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet, flugelhorn), and Doug Tielli (trombone, saw) (as well as saxophonist Bea Labikova, absent on this night), exploring both members' compositions as well as abstract improvisational space. At times channeling the sounds of rustling detritus, with everyone scraping, twisting and boinging, the group moved through some wide-ranging dynamics, from quietly-brushed cymbals to organized horn-riffs, often held together by Rob Clutton's bass and Mira Martin-Gray's prepared guitar and electronic noise.

You can check out some more from this set over on youtube:

[Agnes will be back at The Tranzac next Tuesday (January 20th).]

Recording: Labikova/Turcotte/Tielli/Clutton/Zurawinski

Artist: Bea Labikova/Kevin Turcotte/Doug Tielli/Rob Clutton/Mark Zurawinski

Song: The Four Seasons: Autumn [composer: Mira Martin-Gray]

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Clue Note presents), March 25, 2025.

Bea Labikova/Kevin Turcotte/Doug Tielli/Rob Clutton/Mark Zurawinski - The Four Seasons: Autumn

This ensemble was originally constructed to essay Mira Martin-Gray's "Four Seasons", a suite with four movements introduced by haiku. In Martin-Gray's absence, the group presented the piece — and with the evening's trivia portion postponed, ended up performing for two sets, improvising a bit and trying out a few pieces by members Clutton and Tielli.

You can check out the full Four Seasons and some more from this night over on youtube: