CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Krannert Art Museum will celebrate the contribution of Chicago musicians to progressive jazz music with upcoming performances in its Sudden Sound Concert Series.
The performances, which are free and open to the public, will mark the 20th anniversary of the Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival and the 50th anniversary of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians.
Now in its 11th year, the Sudden Sound Concert Series presents leading artists in the fields of avant-garde jazz and improvised music.
“It’s always edgier music. At this point, it’s the longest-running series of this type of music in our community,” said Jason Finkelman, curator of the concert series and director of Global Arts Performance Initiatives.
Several of the musicians who will perform in the upcoming Sudden Sound concerts have a sustained connection with the U. of I. and have performed here over the years. Finkelman said he was particularly interested in finding a way to honor the anniversary of the AACM. Many of the musicians performing with the Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival also perform with the AACM, he said.
“I’m really honored to be able to present these artists who have done so much in their organizations to carry this music forward,” he said.
Jeff Chan’s Chicago Clarinet Conglomerate will play at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Krannert Art Museum. Chan formed the group in 2009 for multiple clarinets playing improvisation and composed works. The ensemble features acclaimed reedists Mwata Bowden and Ed Wilkerson Jr. – both AACM artists – and Asian Improv aRts Midwest founder and executive director Tatsu Aoki on bass and shamisen (a three-stringed Japanese instrument).
The group’s performance at the Sudden Sound concert is a special show that is part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival.
Douglas Ewart is a composer, improviser, sculptor and maker of masks and musical instruments. He will perform with his ensemble Quasar at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12. Ewart has been associated with the AACM since 1967, including serving as president from 1979 to 1986, and he is a principal artist for its 50th anniversary celebration. The organization is a collection of musicians and composers dedicated to writing and performing original, modern music, including avant-garde jazz, classical and world music.
Ewart uses found and recycled materials to handcraft instruments, and Quasar will use music, poetry and song to express environmental concerns. The performance is part of the Sonified Sustainability Festival to celebrate ecological music and arts, which is sponsored by the Student Sustainability Committee.
More information about the Sudden Sound Concert Series can be found online at http://kam.illinois.edu/events/performances.html#suddensound.
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