James Falzone Division Ensemble: Spotlight On: Improvisation in Music and Life
June 22 @ 3:00 pm4:30 pm
$20
Join Lawrence Peryer, host of the acclaimed podcast Spotlight On, for a unique program of performance and conversation with the James Falzone Division Ensemble. Together, they will explore the nature of improvisation in music and how its principles can be useful in all aspects of life, for musicians and non-musicians alike.
Different types of “composing in the moment” will be demonstrated, interspersed with interludes of discussion covering what each musician brings to and gets from the experience. Audience members will become participants through a Q&A session that will afford a rare opportunity to gain deeper insight into the art and science of improvisation – along with specific techniques to apply in everyday living.
The Falzone’s Division Ensemble is a group of master improvisers that includes James Falzone (clarinet), Ray Larsen (trumpet), Wayne Horvitz (piano), Abbey Blackwood (bass) and Rocky Martin (drums).
Clarinetist, penny whistle player, composer, and improviser James Falzone is an acclaimed member of the international jazz and creative music scenes, a veteran contemporary music lecturer and clinician, and an award-winning composer. He leads his own ensembles Allos Musica, Elaía Ensemble, Renga Ensemble, and the duo Wayfaring with Chicago bassist/vocalist Katie Ernst. James is Dean of the College at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.
Trumpeter and composer Ray Larsen holds degrees in Music (MM, BM) and Conservation Biology (BS) from the University of Washington, where he studied with Allen Vizzutti and Cuong Vu.
Wayne Horvitz is a pianist, composer, recipient of the 2019 American Prize in Orchestral Composition and performs extensively throughout Europe, Japan, and North America.
Abbey Blackwood holds a master’s degree in Jazz and Improvised Music and a bachelor’s of music in Double Bass Performance from the University of Washington. She performs regularly with the Grammy-nominated band Alvvays.
Rocky Martin resides in Seattle, WA, performing and teaching. While rooted in the history of jazz drumming, Rocky also leads and curates projects that may incorporate visual art, spoken word, martial arts/movement, or various plant life simultaneously with their music.
Spotlight On, now in its fifth year, features revealing talks with figures from the past, present, and future of culture, media, and entertainment. Hear discussions with musicians, writers, thinkers, pioneers, innovators and more at www.spotlightonpodcast.com or wherever you get your podcasts from.
Spotlight On host Lawrence Peryer has worked at the intersection of music and technology, on both the business and creative sides, for nearly 30 years. He has developed projects for and with David Bowie, Keith Richards and scores of other artists. He is a writer and speaker on music, culture, and business and has interviewed over 200 people from around the world for Spotlight On, from music fans to Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. His ambient sound art project, Burning Dervish, releases music monthly on digital platforms worldwide.