improvisation - music, the contrafunk project

First Phase

The two working principles which informed its early explorations were:

1. the Form of music arising out of spontaneous, collective improvisation may - as often as not - be aesthetically stimulating, and

2. musically listening can produce work of sufficient rhythmic, melodic and motivic coherence and development to appeal to most music lovers (not only 'free jazz' aficionados).

These principles were confirmed by the early trio work of stan sagan (acoustic bass), steve pickles (drums 'n percussion) and col spence (guitars - nylon, acoustic and electric).

Second Phase

In mid '98, the trio was augmented by brass players, julian wadsworth (trumpet) then david sommers (trombone). In early '99, anne spence replaced stan on bass guitar.

To pull the larger format together, but still with a longer-term view of mixing them with collective melodic improvisation, the band started playing original compositions (check the sound samples and score portfolios). Gradually, the songs displaced collective improvisation as the band's focus.

In 2001, the band stopped live performance, although further recordings may be forthcoming.

Ways ahead

Collective free and melodic improvisation was easier with fewer players. To develop and sustain such empathy and flexibility with five and more players would have required the development and practice of an agreed set of symbols and cues.

I think such development and practice allied to the tightness that comes through gigging and rehearsal of a conventional pad would lead to music of proportions exciting to both musicians and audience.