Improv explosion
posted by Steve Bagnell
| Vancouver is experiencing a renaissance of improvised music, as evidenced by the abundance of opportunities currently available to find a performance most nights of the week. Musicians have taken it into their own hands to initiate a number of series of new music. The newest of these is stitching and unstitching, running Tuesdays at 10pm at La Casa del Artista, 150 E 3rd Ave., thanks to the efforts of Jeff Younger, Russel Sholberg and Stephen Lyons. Also on Tuesdays, guitarist Craig Townsend is working on taking it to the burbs with a series of shows planned in October at the brand new Port Coquitlam Arts Centre. Fake Jazz Wednesdays are the order of business at The Cobalt, when punk, noise and free playing intersect. The 1067 collective continues to present on Fridays and Saturdays at a certain Granville St. location. This is the longest series of artist-presented shows and the room continues to be the envy of many an out-of-town performer, despite the scenic alleyway entrance.  Last Monday, things started up again at The Cellar, with another stellar season being presented by the New Orchestra Workshop. Gord Grdina's trio project with bassist Tommy Babin and drummer Kenton Loewen played an impressive couple of sets, and have now embarked on a three-week tour of Europe. I would love to catch a set by these guys immediately after their return. It would truly be killing. Gord is a guitarist who never fails to add immensely to any group that I've seen him play with. And if there's a better oud improviser in town than him, someone send me their number. For more on this series, visit the new NOW website.That only leaves Thursdays and Sundays open - if there are improv series running on those nights, someone please let me know. And this doesn't even include all of the other excellent events and presentations going on. Add to that educational programs such as the Vancouver Creative Music Institute, sponsored by CJBS and VCC, and also the annual fall improv workshops presented by NOW at The Western Front. Has there ever been such a level of activity in the creative music scene? |
