04/04/2015 Continuous Resonance Solo Improvisation

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Date: 04/04/2015
Location: Edmonds, WA
Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Notes:

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of seeing Meredith Monk’s new theatre work “On Behalf of Nature.” This is the first opportunity I’ve had to see her live, and her spirit moved me that day. She pleaded with me, begged me, scolded me, and showed me. This improvisation is inspired by her vocal work, both from this concert and all the times I’ve been lucky enough to sit in reflection and experience it on recording.

The image accompanying today’s post is of multidisciplinary artist Meredith Monk.

03/30/2015 Continuous Resonance Solo Improvisation

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Date: 03/30/2015
Location: A park in San Francisco, CA
Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Notes:

This weekend I’m visiting my brother in San Francisco. I snuck out of the apartment early this morning to practice in a nearby park, which was located in the Haight neihborhood. The location I chose was beneath a few large, drooping trees with a bike path directly behind me.

The morning light shone down through the trees and by 7am the day was already at a comfortable temperature. Two homeless men slept on a bench near me. A father patiently helped his son learn to ride a bicycle in the grass. Cars moved swiftly by in a 4-lane street. The city began to take on its own chaotic, swirling energy with indeterminate experiences for me to hear–yelling, talking, and plane noise overhead. But there were more determinate factors–endless cyclists passing by, chatting couples with cups of coffee, and wind in the trees. I contriubuted to the sound tapestry of this great city on this bright morning.

The image “Neptune’s Net, 2013” accompanying today’s post by Mary Weatherford