Monday, September 14, 2015

Calendar at a glance:

Septembre 12-October 3: Workshop & Concert with Ellwood Epps
October 4: Workshop with Joe Morris: ''Properties of Free Music''
October 11: Workshop with Peter Valsamis & Yves Charuest ''Polyphonic and rhythmic awareness in collective improvisation with drums''

Detailed information on all workshops appears below.

October 4: Workshop with Joe Morris: ''The properties of Free Music''

                                                                                                 (photo by Rob Miller)

''The most profound improvisors at work in the U.S." -Will Montgomery, The Wire

This workshop is a co-presentation with the Off Festival de Jazz, Tour de Bras, and La Passe. Joe will be performing as part of the Off festival on October 5 at La Vitrola at 8pm.

A workshop with American guitarist Joe Morris, open to all instruments, levels and disciplines. Participants should bring their instrument. This workshop will address specific tools relating to melodic structure, rhythmic expression, and group interplay. This workshop will be presented in English.

A highly original voice on the electric guitar, Joe Morris has had a long and hard-working career in improvised music. He has made nearly 50 records as leader, and even more as a sideman, and has performed with Joe Maneri, David S. Ware, and Malcolm Goldstein. He also teaches at the New England Conservatory and curates the Improvisations:Arcade concert series.

Sunday October 4, 2-4pm
La Passe, 1214 de la Montagne
$25
The number of participants will be limited. To sign up, send an email to studioimpromontreal@gmail.com

October 11: Peter Valsamis and Yves Charuest: Polyphonic and rhythmic awareness in collective improvisation with drums

This workshop is a copresentation with l'Off Festival de Jazz and La Passe. Peter and Yves perform at the festival on October 8th at Résonance Café at 8pm. 


The topics covered in this workshop will include polyrhythms, polymeters and rhythmic awareness and their relation to the polyphony in collective improvisation (linear/gestural/melodic playing), and non-hierarchical ways of listening to the relations between the instruments in the context of collective improvisation.

Peter Valsamis, drums
Born in Montreal, Peter Valsamis plays drums and percussion and also works with computer. Now based in Los Angeles, California, Valsamis continues to nurture a wide range of interests. As a drummer, he has presented his music to concert audiences in Europe, Asia and North America, performing with Steve Lacy, Cecil Taylor, Marco Eneidi, Lisle Ellis, Bern Nix, Don Preston, Dana Reason, and Glen Moore. He has performed at many jazz and music festivals, including Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Victoriaville, Sibiu, South by Southwest, and High Sierra.

Valsamis is also an accomplished dumbek player, performing frequently with various Middle Eastern ensembles in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Valsamis’ studio endeavors include soundtracks and sound design for films and games, as well as music production and engineering. Valsamis received his M.F.A. in Electronic Music and Recording Media from Mills College, where he studied with Pauline Oliveros, Alvin Curran, William Winant, and Leo Smith.

Yves Charuest
Canadian saxophonist Yves Charuest has worked on the jazz and new music scene in the 1980-90s with many canadian musicians such as Michel Ratté, Jean Beaudet, Guillaume Dostaler, Lisle Ellis and Jean Derome, in different groups and projects. He was also a member of the Peter Kowald Trio (1985-1990) with Louis Moholo, with whom he played extensively in Europe and in the USA, and played with William Parker, John Betsch and Mathias Schubert.

More recently, Charuest has been involved on many projects with the following ensembles: Duo Charuest-Caloia, Murray Street Band, Ratchet Orchestra, The Disguises, Charuest/Shalabi/Caloia, Four-sided Circle and Still as well as with Nicolas Caloia, Ellwood Epps, Agustí Fernández, Lori Freedman, William Parker, Sam Shalabi, Scott Thomson, Peter Valsamis and Josh Zubot. Charuest does also solo work and collaborates with choreograph Susanna Hood and dancer Alanna Kraaijeveld.

Sunday October 11, 2-4pm
La Passe, 1214 de la Montagne
$25
The number of participants is limited. To sign up, send an email to studioimpromontreal@gmail.com




Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Autumn session starts September 12!


A practical approach to group improvisation
with teacher Ellwood Epps
Saturdays, September 12, 19, 26 + October 3, 2-4pm
with concert October 3 @ 9pm.
To sign up, please send an email to studioimpromontreal@gmail.com


Come join this unique workshop where you'll unleash your creative spirit and develop skills as an improvising musician!

What is improvisation? Where do we begin? What do we listen for and how do we evaluate what we are playing? Over four Saturday afternoons we'll address these questions through exercises and discussions focusing on listening, developing musical materials in our own style, and investigating strategies and forms for making music. Then we'll invite our friends and present an informal concert as a way of celebrating what we've learned and experienced together.

The workshop is a great way to meet other musicians and to gain confidence in your creativity. As an ensemble we encourage, challenge, and inspire each other to make music that we can all call our own. Come expand your horizons and get your creativity flowing in a positive and encouraging environment!

All are welcome, no matter what instrument you play, how long you've been playing, or what style of music you might play. This four-day workshop is about making music together in real time.

About the teacher:
Trumpeter Ellwood Epps has directed the Studio d'Improvisation since 2009. He performs across North America with improvisers including William Parker, Steve Lacy, Lori Freedman, and Henry Grimes, and can be heard on 60 recordings. Ellwood has shared his experiences and insights with hundreds of students across Canada. His dedication to sharing knowledge and creating a positive, creative environment in his workshops make the SIM an open door to creativity for amateur and professional musicians alike.


Practical details:
The workshop and concert will take place at La Passe (1214 de la Montagne), a beautiful concert space and an important nerve center of Montreal's creative music scene. Piano, drums, and p.a. system will be provided on-site.

The workshop will be in both French and English, depending on the needs of participants.

The cost of the workshop is 
$100. The price includes all four afternoons and the concert.

One position of helper-participant is available. In exchange for some simple work, this person will be able to take the workshop free of charge. Please inquire if you feel this would make it possible for you to participate.


To watch some videos of a SIM concert, follow these links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28n4vdUrHIU

For info on Ellwood Epps, go to www.ellwoodepps.blogspot.com

''I love these workshops where we can explore and develop with others and with complete freedom our own freely improvised music.''
-Isabel Serra, saxophonist

'' The workshop has been a great experience in the foundations of improvisation, listening, response, sensitivity, sounds etc. Ellwood thank you again for this great experience and inspiration during these workshops.''
-Francois Corbeil, trumpeter

''A space of sound experimentation, boundary breaking and the bending of preconceived notions ...A great class to step outside the box.''
-Tarek Burgan, guitarist

''The worshop with Ellwood Epps was a way for me to try something new with my voice.''
-Vincent Bergeron, vocalist





Monday, August 24, 2015

Workshop with Tatsuya Nakatani: September 2, 6-730pm


Percussionist, improviser, and tireless road-warrior Tatsuya Nakatani gives a workshop for improvisers, percussionists, and music lovers. A rare opportunity to learn from one of the most respected and active percussionists in improvised music today!

During this unique workshop, participants will work on group improvisation, practice listening/tuning, silence/space, extended techniques and more! The workshop is in English, costs $25, and is open equally to percussionists and non-percussionists.

Tatsuya Nakatani is a creative artist / percussionist originally from Osaka, Japan who has released over sixty recordings in North America and Europe. Residing in the USA since 1994 he has performed countless solo percussion concerts and has collaborated with hundreds of artists in international music festivals, university concert halls, art museums and galleries. He has created his own instrumentation, effectively inventing many instruments and extended techniques. He utilizes drums, gongs, cymbals, singing bowls, metal objects, bells, and various sticks and bows to create an intense, intuitively primitive, expressive music of unusually strong spirit that defies category or genre. Nakatani has performed with a who's who of international improvisers including Assif Tsahar, Barre Phillips, Eugene Chadbourne, Frank Gratkowski & Peter Kowald.

Wednesday September 2, 6-730pm
La Passe, 1214 de la Montagne
$25
http://www.hhproduction.org/tatsuya_nakatani_works.html

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Special price extended until July 12!


Studio d'Improvisation de Montréal 
presents an intermediate/advanced workshop with
Ellwood Epps

4 Sunday afternoons:
July 19, 26, and August 2, 9, from 1-3pm

Let's delve deep into musical improvisation! We'll work on aspects of melody, rhythm, and sound, and explore the personalities, strategies and working methods of the modern improviser. Participants should have an intermediate or advanced ability on their instrument and/or experience in improvising in a group. Musicians of all musical styles are welcome! The workshop will be presented in French and English.

The workshop will take place at La Passe (1214 de la Montagne), a beautiful concert space and an important nerve center of Montreal's creative music scene.

Piano, drums, and p.a. system will be provided on-site.

The cost of the workshop is $85 if prepaid by July 12 (non-refundable).
After July 12, the cost is $100 ($25 non-refundable to reserve, and the balance on first day of workshop) The price includes all four afternoons.


Trumpeter Ellwood Epps founded the workshop in 2009. He is one of Canada's foremost improvising musicians, and has performed and recorded across Canada and the US with musicians like Jean Derome, William Parker, and Axel Dorner. He is passionate about music through performing,  teaching,  and concert presentation. He is the artistic director of l'Envers and the Festival of New Trumpet Music Canada.


Some pieces from past SIM workshop concerts:

''I love these workshops where we can explore and develop with others and with complete freedom our own freely improvised music.''
-Isabel Serra, saxophonist

'' The workshop has been a great experience in the foundations of improvisation, listening, response, sensitivity, sounds etc. Ellwood thank you again for this great experience and inspiration during these workshops.''
-Francois Corbeil, trumpeter

''A space of sound experimentation, boundary breaking and the bending of preconceived notions ...A great class to step outside the box.''
-Tarek Burgan, guitarist

''The worshop with Ellwood Epps was a way for me to try something new with my voice.''
-Vincent Bergeron, vocalist  



Sign up at studioimpromontreal@gmail.com

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Introduction to Infinity:a workshop in rhythm and improvisation with Rainer Wiens

Studio d’Improvisation de Montreal presents 
Introduction to Infinity
a workshop in rhythme and improvisation with 
Rainer Wiens

Mercredi le 29 avril 20h00-22h00
La Passe, 1214 de la Montagne
This workshop costs $25. Space is limited, so sign up now at studioimpromontreal@gmail.com.


This is a workshop about giving improvisers the tools to create a personal approach to rhythm. Open to musicians of all styles, any instruments, and all levels of experience. This workshop will be conducted in English and French.

''I think of my approach to rhythm as being modal. Instead of thinking vertically (one ee and a ,2 ee and a) -I think of long and short units of pulsation arranged into coherent rhythmic-melodic patterns. I believe a strong rhythm already implies a melody.

In modal rhythms strong accents are determined by the nature of the rhythmic phrase, not by the downbeat. To fight the gravity of downbeats is the most difficult part ,but leads to fresh new rhythms. A lot of the rhythms in the course will be presented orally first. The rhythms are easy to hear because of their coherence even if they look strange on paper because they are not cliched.

The course is an introduction but will give participants a process whereby they can work out their own new ways of manifesting rhythm for the next 10 years.''


Rainer Wiens is one of Canada's leading creative guitarists. Known equally for his profound grasp of rhythm and his sonic imagination, his work as an improvising composer draws from the deep wells of African thumb piano traditions, prepared guitar abstractions, and the group interplay of jazz. As a respected veteran of creative music, Rainer has longstanding collaborations with Malcolm Goldstein, Jean Derome, and Thom Gossage, and has traveled the world in search of new sounds, collaborating with musicians and dancers everywhere.


www.studioimpromontreal.blogspot.com
www.rainerwiens.com
http://actuellecd.com/en/bio/wiens_ra/discog/

Monday, March 2, 2015

Spring Session begins April 5!

(Pour le version français: www.studioimpromontreal.blogspot.ca)


April 5, 12, 19, 26 2-4pm

Come be part of this exciting ensemble-based workshop where you'll be able to unleash your creative spirit and develop skills as an improvising musician. All are welcome, no matter what instrument you play, how long you've been playing, or what style of music you might come from. This four-day workshop is about playing music together in real time, and the experience you have will be just as important as the music we make together.

Over four Sunday afternoons we'll work on: What is improvisation? How do we get started? What do we listen for? How do we evaluate what we are playing? We'll play, talk, listen, play some more, and we'll make some good music together! 

The workshop and concert will take place at La Passe (1214 de la Montagne), a beautiful concert space and an important nerve center of Montreal's creative music scene.

Piano, drums, and p.a. system will be provided on-site.

Workshop leader trumpeter Ellwood Epps has led the SIM since 2009. He works primarily as an improviser, playing regularly across Canada and the US. He has worked with internationally renowned improvisers including William Parker, Steve Lacy, Lori Freedman, and Henry Grimes, and appears on more than 50 recordings. He has taught and worked with many kinds of students, from age 5 to 75, including beginners, professionals, people with special needs, and in settings including hospitals, jazz festivals, and his own studio.

The workshop dates are April 5, 12, 19, 26, from 2-4pm.

The workshop will be in both French and English, depending on the needs of participants.

To sign up, please send an email to studioimpromontreal@gmail.com.

The cost of the workshop is $85 if prepaid by March 27 (non-refundable).
After March 27, cost is $100 ($25 non-refundable to reserve, and the balance on first day of workshop)
The price includes all four afternoons.

One position of helper-participant is available. In exchange for some light work, this person will be able to take the workshop free of charge. Please inquire if you feel this would make it possible for you to participate.

To watch some videos of a SIM concert, follow these links:

For info on Ellwood Epps, go to www.ellwoodepps.blogspot.com

''I love these workshops where we can explore and develop with others and with complete freedom our own freely improvised music.''
-Isabel Serra, saxophonist

'' The workshop has been a great experience in the foundations of improvisation, listening, response, sensitivity, sounds etc. Ellwood thank you again for this great experience and inspiration during these workshops.''
-Francois Corbeil, trumpeter

''A space of sound experimentation, boundary breaking and the bending of preconceived notions ...A great class to step outside the box.''
-Tarek Burgan, guitarist

''The worshop with Ellwood Epps was a way for me to try something new with my voice.''
-Vincent Bergeron, vocalist

Friday, February 20, 2015

Craig Pedersen: Physical/Musical Approaches to Extended Techniques on the Trumpet.


Studio d'Improvisation de Montréal and the Festival of New Trumpet Music Canada present Craig Pedersen's workshop based on his new method book Trumpet Sound Effects. A first of its kind,Trumpet Sound Effects provides a simple and practical approach to extended techniques on the trumpet. With concise instructions, notation suggestions, etudes, and an audio companion, the book is a great resource for trumpet players and composers of all levels.

This workshop will use the book as a jumping-off point to explore achieving a balance between the development of extended techniques and their integration into a musical practice — free improvisation, jazz, contemporary classical music and beyond.

Sunday March 15, 2-4pm
La Passe, 1214 de la Montagne 
$15-20 sliding scale
Workshop attendants are welcome to bring their trumpets in anticipation of participation.
Language: English.

Send email to studioimpromontreal@gmail.com to register.

Craig Pedersen’s book Trumpet Sound Effects will be available at the workshop and can also be found online. 

Craig Pedersen is a trumpet player, composer and educator based out of Montréal. An active freelance musician specializing in jazz and free music, he also performs commercial, classical and klezmer music. He actively leads his own bands, the Craig Pedersen Quartet and the It’s A Free Country duo with Joel Kerr.

Since 2011, Craig has released eight albums, ranging between composed material to improvisation, through jazz, free music, country, and klezmer, in a variety of ensembles. Recent highlights of this work have included collaborations and/or performances with Joe Morris, Jean Derome, Joane Hetu, Lori Freedman, Nicolas Caloia, Ian Birse and Laura Kavanaugh (Instant Places), and Mark Molnar (Kingdom Shore), as well as recording on the soundtrack for Robert Lepage’s Needles and Opium, and performances at L’Off Festival du Jazz and FONT Canada. His method book exploring extended techniques for the trumpet,Trumpet Sound Effects, was published by Berklee Press and Hal Leonard in November of 2014.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

First workshop of 2015 starts January 25!!

(Pour le version français: www.studioimpromontreal.blogspot.ca)


January 25 + February 1, 8, 15 2-4pm
with Concert February 15 @ 8pm

Come be part of this exciting ensemble-based workshop where you'll be able to unleash your creative spirit and develop skills as an improvising musician. All are welcome, no matter what instrument you play, how long you've been playing, or what style of music you might come from. This three-day workshop is about playing music together in real time, and the experience you have will be just as important as the music we make together.

Over four Sunday afternoons we'll work on: What is improvisation? How do we get started? What do we listen for? How do we evaluate what we are playing? We'll play, talk, listen, play some more, and we'll make some good music together!
Then on the night of the final Sunday, we'll get our friends together and present an informal concert.

The workshop and concert will take place at La Passe (1214 de la Montagne), a beautiful concert space and an important nerve center of Montreal's creative music scene.

Piano, drums, and p.a. system will be provided on-site.

Workshop leader trumpeter Ellwood Epps has led the SIM since 2009. He works primarily as an improviser, playing regularly across Canada and the US. He has worked with internationally renowned improvisers including William Parker, Steve Lacy, Lori Freedman, and Henry Grimes, and appears on more than 50 recordings. He has taught and worked with many kinds of students, from age 5 to 75, including beginners, professionals, people with special needs, and in settings including hospitals, jazz festivals, and his own studio.

The workshop dates are January 25 and February 1, 8, and 15, from 2-4pm.
The concert will be at 8pm on February 15.

The workshop will be in both French and English, depending on the needs of participants.

To sign up, please send an email to studioimpromontreal@gmail.com.

The cost of the workshop is $85 if prepaid by January 21 (non-refundable).
After January 21, cost is $100 ($25 non-refundable to reserve, and the balance on first day of workshop)
The price includes all four afternoons.

One position of helper-participant is available. In exchange for some light work, this person will be able to take the workshop free of charge. Please inquire if you feel this would make it possible for you to participate.

To watch some videos of a SIM's concert, follow these links:

For info on Ellwood Epps, go to www.ellwoodepps.blogspot.com

''I love these workshops where we can explore and develop with others and with complete freedom our own freely improvised music.''
-Isabel Serra, saxophonist

'' The workshop has been a great experience in the foundations of improvisation, listening, response, sensitivity, sounds etc. Ellwood thank you again for this great experience and inspiration during these workshops.''
-Francois Corbeil, trumpeter
''A space of sound experimentation, boundary breaking and the bending of preconceived notions ...A great class to step outside the box.''
-Tarek Burgan, guitarist

''The worshop with Ellwood Epps was a way for me to try something new with my voice.''
-Vincent Bergeron, vocalist