ImprovFriday Timeline for May 29, 2009
Congratulations to all participants yesterday. Great improvisations. I’d like to welcome two artists who joined us this week for the first time: Alun Vaughan and Steve Moyes. Well, Steve forgot about the time difference and it was too late for him to post anything, but he let me repost his excellent Ustream live performance which is linked below. This week for the recap of the event, I decided to give a rundown of the events exactly as they occurred.
Okay, so logging into Twitter, scrolling down to the “search” option and typing in #improvfriday. Voila! Lets go over what happened in a chronological fashion May 29th – Pacific Standard Time.
Jukka-Pekka Kervinen posts – Impro #11 12:06 am
Charles Turner posts - Clocks Gone Wrong 12:50 pm
David Toub posts – Objects for Marimba, Piano and Electronic Organ 1:10 pm
David Toub posts - For Philip Glass 1:12 pm
Alun Vaughan posts – Sliday 2:03 pm
JC Combs posts a composer quote - I have my own definition of minimalism, which is that which is created with a minimum of means. – La Monte Young 2:53 pm
JC Combs posts ImprovFriday Announcement- ImprovFriday on FB, across the globe artists gather to post their improvisations. Keep an eye on your data stream for music. We are also proud to present improvisations LIVE on Ustream. 3:00 pm
JC Combs posts ImprovFriday anthem – Vientro del Monstruo by Jeffrey Harrington 3:00 pm
Jeff Harrington posts – LooseOrganImprovisation 3:49 pm
Paul Hertz posts – Improv 7:00 for Organ 4:33 pm
Paul Hertz posts – Improv 3:41 for Organ 4:34 pm
Nancarrow Tribute
What happened in the video below is real. Someone going by the username “Dresden Germany” explained: “The explosion in this film is an airdropped 19 kt nuclear device. the test explosion was part of operation Snapper and was called dog. in conjunction with the dog shot, the desert rock IV exercise was conducted (aprox. 8000 DoD participants). I am sure, this is not the Buster Charlie test, because during Buster Charlie no troop maneuvers were conducted. The first desert rock exercise was conducted during Buster-Jangle Dog, an airdrop from a B-50 with a yield of 21 kt.”
At first I was trying to find some footage that displayed a sense of frantic images to fit with this Conlon Nancarrow homage (Conlon Plays) and an A-Bomb was of course appealing. But as I went over the individual film cuts while creating the video and editing, I was shocked to find that these soldiers were ordered to walk into the direction of the nuclear bomb blast. From what I infer, they were ordered to duck for the initial blast and then stand up to view the blast prior to the high velocity nuclear wind which literally blew them back. The stupidity of people never ceases to amaze me. Not the soldiers who were clueless I’m sure, but whoever ordered them to act as lab rats.
1-2-3 artists work for progress
One: An account of a dialogue between myself and shocked Memorial Day observers with some candid wording regarding the current state of wartime affairs in the United States of America. NPR – Obama Calls Fighting Forces ‘Best Of America’.
Two: David Toub plans a new work and outlines: “I’m planning a new piece for what probably will be an ensemble consisting of two women’s voices, violin, cello, marimba, bass clarinet, bass guitar and possibly piano. The work is tentatively going to be titled torture memos (a survivor from guantánamo). The music is already largely written, in that it will mostly be derived from several recent improvisations that were done as part of James Combs’ improvfriday sessions on various social media networks. Almost all of my works started off as improvisations, so this is pretty much standard operating procedure for me. I had thought of using the title Room 101 as that was the torture room in Orwell’s prophetic novel 1984 but I thought the significance might not be obvious to anyone who hasn’t recently read the book.”
Three: Marc Chan blogs in detail regarding Jenny Holzer’s new work in the “Protect Protect” project which utilizes the Bush torture memos. The redacted documents clearly resemble the style of S21 and Khmer Rouge. We tend to think of the tragedy in Cambodia as random killing of people in a far away, third world country, but the truth is that the S21 carried out a highly structured, policy-based system that was strictly documented.
ImprovFriday 5-22-09
What’s new? Well, there’s still a bear (as far as I know) roaming around my neighborhood. And no, I don’t live in Alaska. Oh yeah, I shouldn’t forget to mention that the Folk Life Festival is going on this weekend.
Yesterday’s improvisation session was strange as it started off slow and gradually built up some steam. Deep seemed to be the tone of the event; perhaps it had something to do with the Miles Davis quote which kicked off the day: “Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.”
David Toub was first with his very fine improvisation set to a church organ synth, Piece #1 for Electronic Organ. It’s great when David participates, because he’s the only composer thus far who bangs out sweet postminimal improvisations. Jeff Harrington followed up with “NoiseFunk.” Jeff described it as “an improvisation with noise, in the manner of the Miles jams of the 70′s over a rock steady bass,” and I absolutely concur. Charles Turner was too busy this week to improvise, however still showed up and gave us the gem of a work, “Andantino for Handbells.“ Charles described the work as, “based on Stravinsky.” A slightly vague description, but now you can’t help yourself, you have to listen to the work out of curiosity. Its worth it. James Ross delivered “Raga Paranoia.“ James described the work as “Raga is waiting for the choppers to land, cops to crash in the window, landlord to knock. Drones, slide guitar, helicopter.” The work stirs the senses. Paul Hertz supplied the deepest of all improvisations last night with “Improv 12:11 for Rodgers T957 Organ.” I just realized last night that Paul is improvising on a real church organ. On Twitter, he mentioned he was going off to church to record the improvisation. Kudos to Paul, because that organ rocks! As Paul mentioned, there are a few scratchy areas at the beginning from touching the audiocable, but the rest is astounding.
Last, but not least, there was my 50 minute live improvisation session on Ustream. It was a reverse of my last improvisation session, as this time I start with piano, move to electronic, and then finish off with piano. I was a little disappointed with my drum selection in the electronic part. The next outing I hope to have a more fitting beat to accompany the synth and arturia Moog modular.
ImprovFriday 5-15-09
The sun finally came out yesterday across the United States and accordingly ImprovFriday was a little quieter than usual. But there were some stellar performances.
David Toub’s improv for piano was really nice and subtle, eventually collecting itself into a postminimal outing. Jukka-Pekka Kervinen showed up in the midnight hour with his #10, another very nice computer-based improv (beautiful and ghostly). Jeff Harrington reached into his hard drive and found a previous improv from 2006, rhythmic and funky. Charles Turner once again outdid the pack with two great improvisations: “Title Stolen by Frogmen”. Interesting title and as Charles explains: “I always liked comics where the aliens came through a dimensional gate deep in the ocean. Frogmen with pop-eyes and fins.” His other improvisation was “She Dances For Love,” for harps and percussion; a subdued, meditative dance. Finally, there was my improv for the arturia Moog modular.
This week’s special thanks goes to Jeffrey Harrington for showing up consistently and coming up with great ideas since the inception of ImprovFriday back in March.
Homicidal Thoughts
Homicidal Thoughts by J.C. Combs
I used to admire you. As I walked past every day, quickly glancing your direction, I could smell your pleasant scent wafting through the air. I also noticed your curves and how you were the quiet type, never making even a sound. But all that changed, didn’t it?
I used to think it was his fault. He was attracted to you because of your beauty. How could I fault that, you had no choice in the matter.
I remember the first time I thought about splitting you open with an axe. I was on my route and, as always, anticipated seeing you. As I neared, I made out a conversation you were having with some dirty, rotten bastard. You were talking sweet with him. But as I listened closer I realized you were just being polite and it was really that creep, the horror of a man, who was making all the moves. He wouldn’t quit. I closed my eyes as I passed and a vision of an axe appeared in my mind’s eye. I remember thinking, almost out loud, ‘but it isn’t your fault I know! Why then do I fantasize about killing you in the worst way?’
As days turned into weeks, as the same foul man persisted in visiting you, I realized the truth. The only way to fix the problem was to take that axe and chop you into little pieces.
The very next day as I was leaving to carry out the sinister plan, I put on the trench coat tucked away in my closet, which I’d been dying to wear since the late 80s and carried the axe underneath. I looked like I was about to pull out a weapon, but I didn’t care! No one was going to stop me. You might wonder, what about the bastard? Well he had it coming too. Would he be there, playing her with those sick, disgusting, egregiously sappy lines? I hoped so.
As I entered the lobby, my eyes reflected one thing, murder. Sure enough, the scoundrel, the cad, was putting the syrup on with large strokes. I think it was “Piano Man,” “Feelings,” or “Chariots of Fire,” I can’t remember, everything was a blur. I only recall the continual horror of his Satanic left hand rolling from C to E to G to the C and back and back and back! “You’re fucking killing it with sugar!” I wailed as I pulled out the axe and with one furious swing chopped the swine’s head off. As his head lay spinning atop the once beautiful grand piano, I promptly started the work I came to finish. Starting with the legs, “crack, boom, wham,” THUD.
She now had no legs, but for once she made the most beautiful music. Overtones intertwining, screaming, yelling. Pain! I looked around and saw people running for every exit.
That’s the problem with people, they hear the real beauty, the innermost articulation of our deepest fears and regrets, and they run for the exits. Well the next time you try that, just remember who might be standing right outside the door!
The Improvisations Were Excellent!
If I’m not mistaken, yesterday was week 14 of ImprovFriday. I’m happy to see its still going and of course very happy to listen to all the wonderful improvisations.
Yesterday’s improvs included two improvisations by Charles Turner (one link didn’t work for some reason, but the one titled “Voyage” was very, very nice). Jukka-Pekka Kervinen played his 9th, a subtle piano, percussive, electro vibe. James Ross submitted an improv highlighting the beautiful tones of the Tibetan Bowl. Paul Bailey submitted a great improv mashup of Jon Brenner’s work “Leaderless Fear.” David Toub added a really cool postminimal improv set to a pulsing, whirling synth.
Special thanks to Paul Hertz for his contribution to ImprovFriday over the weeks. I have to say that I’ve become a bigger fan of Paul because of his improvisations. They are outstanding to say the least. Take a listen to the improv he submitted last night. Improv 9:08 for Rodgers T957 organ and you will hear exactly what I’m talking about.
Finally, I am proud to announce that our first live improvisation session took place last night via Ustream courtesy of yours truly. Clocking in at just over one-and-a-half hours, I played sounds ranging from ambient electronic to piano and back again. I just want to note that I’m really not as fat as I look in some spots. My shirt was bulging out for some reason and my profile is, well, misleading!
ImprovFriday just got a little “Livelier”
Wow, just a couple days since Joseph Benzola asked for a live portion of ImprovFriday Jeff Harrington found us a solution in Ustream. In addition to clicking on our recorded “takes” of improvisations, you will be able to watch us work live. I tested it out today to make sure all was well. And all WAS well. After around an hour I decided perhaps I should give it a rest until Friday. I didn’t bother to record it (another cool option) for playback. I might do that next time. We will have to figure out how much data the program will hold. So without further ado, let me present ImprovFriday – The Live Sessions.
Let me point out that ustream picks up the webcam, however uses your soundcard of choice for sound. The result is close to CD quality.
Hamthrax and ImprovFriday
There was a lot of swine flu name variation jokes popping up on FB and Twitter last night. My favorite was hamthrax.
Speaking of, I think I was feeling a bit under the weather last night after sitting in a pollen-ridden area for a half hour. You could literally see the pollen flying through the air and landing on you. So I went to bed early, but not after learning that two of our improvisers have studied or are studying with La Monte Young. James Ross and Randy Gibson. In fact, yesterday three of the improvisers had LMY connections. James Ross’ impro yesterday was a jam with John Berendzen, who also studies with LMY and that’s how the two met. As I told James, we might as well invite the man himself.
Charles Turner started out the day, David Toub followed up, I entered one around 7 PM PST, and David Toub posted his seminal work as performed by Paul Bailey, an impro-mix, part 1 of “This Piece Intentionally Left Blank.” I shouldn’t forget to mention Randy Gibson, who had the most eloquent, subtle and short work, titled “The Sound of Rain,” in the style of Yoko Ono.
I would like to welcome back Paul Hertz, who submitted his improvisation after I had succumb to sleep, dreaming of epidemics and zombies. I can’t wait to listen to his and Jukka-Pekka Kervinen’s, who finished up the night with his improvisation #8. Special thanks to Charles Turner for his great participation and awesome improvisation.
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