MUSIC

Nameless Sound presents John Butcher, Thomas Lehn, Gino Robair. 2 Nights, 2 Different Concerts! Wednesday, May 30th at Studio 101:with the Nameless Sound Ensemble. Thursday, May 31st at 14 Pews: trio performance.

Nameless Sound presents the return of two favorite guests, saxophonist John Butcher and analogue synthesist Thomas Lehn, and welcomes percussionist Gino Robair for his Nameless Sound debut.

John Butcher's work ranges through improvisation, his own compositions, multitracked saxophone pieces and explorations with feedback and extreme acoustics, and as a solo performer who attempts to engage with a sense of place. solos are a study in subtle detail, nuanced acoustics, brilliant overtones, and powerful abstraction.

Since the early 1980s Thomas Lehn has developed an individual language of electronic music, rooted in his experience as an interpreting and improvising pianist in classical, contemporary and jazz music. The electronic equipment he uses consists of analogue synthesizers of the late 1960s, in particular the EMS Synthi A. Besides the substantial characteristics of its analogue sound synthesis, the facilities of this modular instrument allow him to act and react spontaneously to various structural elements of the music.

Gino Robair's unconventional approach to percussion puts a greater focus on melody and sound generation than on rhythm and timekeeping. It's typical for Robair to arrive at concerts with as few instruments as possible, challenging himself to make music from styrofoam cups, toys, electric motors, even his bare hands. He has performed and recorded with artists ranging from Tom Waits to John Zorn to Anthony Braxton, and is the proprietor of Rastascan Records, a label devoted to creative music.

The Nameless Sound Ensemble brings together the leading lights of Houston's community of creative improvisation, many of whom have had long-term associations with the organization as educators or students.

FEATURING:

John Butcher (London): tenor and soprano saxophones
Thomas Lehn (Cologne): analogue synthesizer
Gino Robair (San Francisco): drums, percussion

Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 8pm
at: Studio 101 at Spring Street Studios
1824 Spring Street
Houston, TX 77007

with the Nameless Sound Ensemble:
Abel Cisneros - drums, percussion
David Dove - trombone
Ryan Edwards - guitar
Sandy Ewen - guitar
Thomas Helton - bass
Jason Jackson - saxophone
Alauna Rubin - clarinet, voice
Damon Smith - bass
Michelle Yom - flute

For information on Nameless Sound or directions go to www.namelesssound.org  or call 713-928-5653.

Nameless Sound was established in 2001 to present the best of international contemporary music and to support the exploration of new methods in arts education. Nameless Sound presents concerts by premier artists in the world of creative music. In addition, Nameless Sound and its artists work directly with young people in public schools, community centers and homeless shelters. Nameless Sound's educational work helps to nurture a new generation of artists and inspire tomorrow's creative thinkers.

Pictured above: John Butcher.