“Probing the furthest frontiers of rhythm science, alto saxophonist Steve Lehman represents some of the most advanced compositional thinking in jazz today. A child of the avant-garde, he’s a former student and bandmate of Anthony Braxton and a member of Fieldwork, the collaborative trio with piano visionary Vijay Iyer. Lehman’s 2005 outing Demian as Posthuman, featuring Meshell Ndegeocello, is a study in splintered soundscapes and mind-altering beats.” - Philadelphia Weekly

Named a Rising Star on the alto saxophone in 2006 and 2007 by the Downbeat Magazine International Critics Poll, STEVE LEHMAN is a saxophonist and composer whose work resides on the cutting-edge of contemporary music. He has been recognized as one of today’s truly original creative voices by The Wire, The New York Times, The Village Voice, and by National Public Radio. A former student of both Jackie McLean and Anthony Braxton, he has performed and recorded throughout the United States and Europe with his own ensembles, and with those led by Anthony Braxton, Dave Burrell, Mark Dresser, Vijay Iyer, Oliver Lake, and Meshell Ndegeocello. Lehman’s pieces for large orchestra and chamber ensembles have been performed by the Janacek Philharmonic, members of Ensemble 21 and Ensemble Sospeso, and by the pianistMarilyn Nonken. Lehman’s recent electro-acoustic music has focused on the development of computer-driven models for improvisation using Max/MSP. Lehman is a doctoral candidate in Music Composition at Columbia University. Lehman’s recordings as a leader include On Meaning (Pi 2007) and Demian as Posthuman (Pi 2005), featuring 9-time Grammy nominee Meshell Ndegeocello.

Read The New York Times review.

We invite our most efferent comedians such as Simon Munnery, sound artists such as David Toop and renowned artist Bob and Roberta Smith (Apathy Band) returning radio to the live theatre. Dexter Bentley presents an open bike night show with the audience as batteries and Jonny Trunk brings his convivial auction to the floor.

The July 1 launch night features acts spread over two rooms. Headlining the night are the male members of The Guillemots, playing a “boulder ‘n’ roll” set. They are joined on the bill by pastoral laptopper Leafcutter John, vest-clad jazz-punkers Morviscous and melodramatic folk songstress Mary Hampton. There’s also a voltaic tape splicing performance by audio magician Sculpture and station manager Chris Weaver delivers a conflux of animate hand-built electronics.

And in the DJ room, freshly poached from XFM, Flo-Motion’s Nick Luscombe, festival legend DJ Tofu , sonic agitator LRAB and The Laundrettas burn the decks in the dance hall.

The following Sundays audiences can enjoy avant guarde cake and tea from trolleys by the likes of the 50’s pamper queens The Laundrettas as The Poo Lord, Harmon e Phraysiur, The Hand of Glory, Pharoah Overlord, Marvin Suicide and many more take the stage for radio shows that include everything from poppers to celebratory melencholia. The remaining Sunday’s line-up’s are subject to confirmation but currently resemble the following:

July 8: David Toop, Composite Group, Andy Cox and Lance Martins, Ambrosia Rasputin, The Original Sound Track Show with Jonny Trunk, Apathy Band (Bob and Roberta Smith).

July 15: Curated by Corsica Studios - Pharoah Overlord, Members of The Circle, Kosmische Djs. Check Corsica website for full details.

July 22: Marvin Suicide, The Hand of Glory, The Poo Lord (Cyber Chutney Arse Ducks), Morton Valence, Richard Thomas discusses The Psychedelic Dimensions of Boredom.

July 29: Dexter Bentley, Harmon e Phraysiur’s “The Rod of Run-Awayes” (Ted Barrington & Jim Xento$$), Simon Munnery,
Strange Attractor Live Special, Little Atoms Live Special.

For the past twenty years, Neil Leonard has used the computer to redefine jazz performance. Along the way, he has created a number of custom software-based systems to extract thematic material from his improvisations to allow a computer to respond and jam with him in real-time. Leonard’s work as a cutting-edge technologist is grounded in years of performance and studies with seminal jazz composers Bob Brookmeyer and George Russell.

His latest solo work, Echoes and Footsteps, toured Israel, NYC and Boston in 2006. The computer modifies recordings of Roman cowbells and songs of Italian butchers to create an electronic soundscape invoking a blanket of smoke, the beating of propellers and a flock of deep drones. Rito features a melodic counterpoint between saxophone and computer where both live and virtual players ‘listen’ to each other and improvise responses in real-time.

Listen to Neil Leonard-Gadi Sassoon Duo; Vibration :: Inscription :: Transmission; Live 2005 - electronics / bass clarinet
excerpts from a live performance:

Free Noise is a unique collaboration featuring major names from the burgeoning noise and free jazz scenes. Over two sets and through a series of improvised combinations, the paths of these two unorthodox musics will converge to produce something both beautiful and terrifying. As free jazz was originally seen as an abuse of established musical forms, so is noise today. This tour brings together the revolutionary genius at the heart of both for a visceral and revelatory journey through the sonic spectrum. Expect riotous freeform squalls, minimalist meditations and breathtaking cliffs of extreme volume.

Evan Parker: UK free sax legend best known for his work with Keith Rowe, Anthony Braxton, Joe McPhee, Cecil Taylor, Peter Brotzmann (including on his epochal ‘Machine Gun’), Derek Bailey, and for his inspired, individualistic take on musical freedom. Being the UK’s equivalent of Peter Brotzmann means that as far as free jazz saxophonists go, Evan Parker has very few equals. Hugely respected with a rich and varied back catalogue, Parker has graced the cream of the free jazz racks for the last forty years.

Yellow Swans: From Portland, Oregon, Yellow Swans play a constantly evolving mass of psychedelic noise that is both physically arresting and psychically liberating. Their music is a powerful rendering of free rock, black electronics, and white light vibrations. Consisting of Pete Swanson (vocals, drum machine, and electronics) and Gabriel Mindel Saloman (guitars, feedback, electronics), Yellow Swans create a dense ocean of sound using various analog and digital machines, all locked in a spiraling web of feedback.

C Spencer Yeh: Born in Taipei, Taiwan but now based in Ohio, C Spencer Yeh is a sculptor of breathtaking cliffs of electric sound, and also renowned as an improvising violinist and voice manipulator. Last year’s double CD compilation ‘Mes Soldats Stupides’ showcased the disparate strands of his sonic approach spread over his vast discography, under his oft-adopted alias Burning Star Core. His output ranges from soaring electronic odes to hypnotic drone rock to scathing free jazz in his trio with Paul Flaherty and Chris Corsano.

John Wiese: Californian noise and experimental music artist, he is extremely prolific releasing many albums both as a solo artist and as a member of groups such as Bastard Noise, Sissy Spacek and LHD, and he frequently collaborates with other musicians, including Sunn 0))), Wolf Eyes, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Brace Paine (The Gossip, Die Monitr Batss), Lasse Marhaug, Dave Phillips and Merzbow.

Paul Hession: Has played with many of the major figures on the free music scene (for example, Peter Brotzmann, Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Lol Coxhill, Maggie Nichols, Phil Minton, Peter Kowald, Joe McPhee, Borah Bergman, Otomo Yoshihide a.o.). “His torrential polyrhythmic style and his ability to raise the stakes in formidable company establish him as a prime mover in the attempt to inject excitement and power back into total improvisation” Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music

Metalux: US female duo MV Carbon and J Gräf renowned for in-your-face, charismatic live performances and finely tuned ears as producers. Create processed vocals and guitars, laced with drum machine malfunctions and digital noise. Recently released acclaimed collaborative album with John Wiese, on revered Load Records

John Edwards: UK double bassist with furious punk-fuelled free jazz attack. Collaborated with very many greats, including Evan Parker, Sunny Murray and Tony Bevan.

Culver: Multi-disciplined UK avant experimentalist with ever lengthening, very underground discography. Key figure in the Northern noise and sludge rock scenes. Has collaborated with Keith Fullerton Whitman and Alan Courtis amongst others, and had releases on Campbell ‘Birchville Cat Motel’ Kneale’s Celebrate Psi Phenomenon imprint, amongst many others. Currently performing as one half of the legendary Skullflower.

Touring April/May 2007

Sun 29 April
GLASGOW CCA
(Triptych Festival)
www.triptychfestival.com

Mon 30 April
CARDIFF The Point
www.thepointcardiffbay.com

Tue 1 May
GATESHEAD The Sage Gateshead
www.thesagegateshead.org

Wed 2 May
LEEDS Wardrobe
www.thewardrobe.co.uk

Thu 3 May
BRISTOL Arnolfini
www.arnolfini.org.uk

Sat 5 May
LONDON ULU
www.wegottickets.com/event/16861