MUSIC

Nameless Sound presents Dennis González Yells At Eels, Saturday, January 29 at 6pm at Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex. PLEASE NOTE EARLY START TIME.

Dennis González (Dallas) - trumpet, cornet, treated trumpet
Aaron González (Dallas)- double bass
Stefan González (Dallas) - drums, percussion
with guest, Jason Jackson (Houston) - woodwinds

Under the suggestion of Anthony Braxton (and inspired by the AACM), Dennis González founded daagnim (Dallas Association for Avant-Garde and Neo Impressionistic Music) in 1979. Since that time, González has established himself as the most significant and well-known avant-garde jazz musician to make Texas his consistent home.

González has worked with many of the premiere names in contemporary jazz. A small sampling of the list includes: Frank Lowe, Andrew Cyrille, Malachi Favors, Reggie Workman, Oliver Lake, Max Roach, Cecil Taylor, Henry Grimes, Sabir Mateen, Olu Dara, Hamid Drake, Prince Lasha, Alvin Fielder, Kidd Jordan, John Carter, Nels Cline, Louis Moholo, Elton Dean, Keith Tippett, John Stevens, Dudu Pukwana, Charles Brackeen, Joe Morris, Tina Marsh, and Alex Coke. He was responsible for bringing several of these artists to Dallas, but González’ career has been truly international in scope. He has participated in festivals, concerts, workshops, and television and radio programs throughout Asia, Europe, Central America, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and in most major American cities.

González’s trumpet playing has a distinctly lyrical and melodic quality. His musical statements are never made in haste, instead relishing the space in between his warm-toned phrases. González makes a music that emphasizes beauty and expression. His compositions sometimes draw on folk elements and global music sources to express their universal sense of spirituality.

For several years in the 1990’s, González retired from live performance. He re-emerged on the scene in 1999. He was urged to renew his commitment by his two teenaged sons, who were beginning their own musical careers. Aaron González (bass) and Stefan González (drums) formed the rhythm section of this new trio, “Yells At Eels”. The younger González musicians brought new sounds to the band. Distinct elements of punk, metal, thrash, and grindcore unexpectedly merge with Dennis González’ lyricism. He has extended his trumpet through the use of guitar pedals. The combination is a surprisingly natural fit. Yells at Eels unite disparate musical elements with a passion, openness and care that can only be achieved among the closest of collaborators.

Dennis González has not played in Houston since 2001. He is long overdue for a performance in our city.

For more information:

Dennis González’ website: http://www.dennisgonzalez.com/  
Yells At Eels Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/yellsateels  
Interview with Dennis González: http://www.onefinalnote.com/features/2005/gonzalez/index.asp