Recording: Christopher Willes

Artist: Christopher Willes + Ensemble

Song: Blow/Draw [excerpt]^*

Recorded at The Tranzac (Main Hall), December 10, 2013.

Christopher Willes + Ensemble - Blow/Draw [excerpt]

Full review to follow. This led off an exciting night of New Music at The Tranzac, with the ensemble (containing several noteworthy improvisers¹) spread around the room such that it was hard to tell where they ended and the crowd began. This spacialization helped create a sonic bath for Willes' ascension drones. Though this piece was "only" a half-hour, the slow shifts in the sound field brought to mind music that uses extended duration as a means of evoking a trancelike state. Gorgeous stuff.

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^* My understanding that this is still in the working-titles-being-tossed-around stage. I will update if I hear word something else has been settled on.

¹ Given that I now have a list in front of me, I might as well add that the ensemble on this night was:

• Lina Allemano – trumpet
• Anne Bourne - cello
• Allison Cameron – casiotone
• Rob Clutton – bass
• Jason Doell – Portuguese guitar + ebow
• Daniel Harley – violin
• Tom Richards – trombone
• Germain Liu – floor-tom/cymbal
• Katherine Watson – flute
• Christopher Willes - sk1