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Frode Gjerstad’s Circulasione Totale Orchestra

Presented by Nameless Sound at Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex

January 31, 2010

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Nameless Sound is Houston’s most vital presenter of cutting-edge creative music, free improvisation, avant-garde jazz, electro-acoustic improvisation, new music and uncategorizable sound-making. This season opens with three Nameless Sound premieres, representing a wide range of world-class artists.

Sunday, January 31, 2010 Nameless Sound presents: Frode Gjerstad’s Circulasione Totale Orchestra, 8pm at Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex, 2201 Preston St.

Bobby Bradford (Los Angeles) – cornet
Frode Gerstad (Norway) – saxophone, clarinets
Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (Norway) – bass
Anders Hana (Norway) – electric guitar
Lasse Marhaug (Norway) – electronics
Sabir Mateen (New York) – tenor saxophone, clarinets, flute
Louis Moholo-Moholo (South Africa) – drums
Børre Mølstad – (Norway) tuba
Paal Nilssen-Love (Norway) – drums
Kevin Norton (New York) – vibraphone
Morten J. Olsen (Norway) – electronics, drums
Nick Stephens (UK) – bass

This concert is part of Nameless Sound’s Andrew Mark Ladd Memorial Concert Series.

Veteran Norwegian saxophonist and bandleader Frode Gjerstad has maintained his Circulasione Totale Orchestra (CTO) since 1984. A loose assemblage by design, the CTO was formed as a workshop ensemble for Gjerstad’s compositional ideas. It wound up being a training ground for Norway’s most vital generation of experimental musicians (the one’s who would make Norway a critical music center 15 years later).

The current version of the orchestra is distinguished for many reasons. It’s all star line-up not only showcases many of the premiere avant-gardists of this generation; It also offers up a handful of living legends, many who have never before performed in this region. The South African jazz drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo moved to the UK (in exile) in the 1960’s and become a vital member of the British improvised music scene. He now lives again in his homeland.

This will be a rare opportunity to witness his power and magic. Trumpeter Bobby Bradford was a childhood friend and later a band mate of Ornette Coleman, the Pulitzer Prize winning saxophonist/composer who changed jazz (and contemporary music) in the 1960’s with his radical approach to form, harmony, and improvisation. Bradford, a key artist from that generation’s avant-garde, has made a career as a performer and teacher in Los Angeles. This project returns him to Texas, where he grew up and first played music. The orchestra is also distinguished by its bold mixture of styles and mediums.

In contrast to the jazz legends, the group also features contributions from some of this generation's most active noise musicians, including Lasse Marhaug from Jazkamer. Gjerstad’s deep understanding of improvisation and open forms guides this unlikely assemblage to some of the most vital collaborative work happening today.

For more information:
http://frodegjerstad.com/
http://www.efi.group.shef.ac.uk/mgjersta.html