Asheville, NC based guitarist Tashi Dorji performs solo and discusses his work with Option programmer Ken Vandermark.
“Chicago bassist and composer Nick Macri has led a prolific and highly varied career as both a leader and a sideman, making contributions on both electric and acoustic bass for ensembles and musicians as varied as The Zincs (Thrill Jockey), Ken Vandermark’s Audio One, The Horses Ha, and Stirrup with Fred Lonberg Holm and Charles Rumback. Tonight marks Nick’s debut on the Option stage.” -tim daisy/Option curator
Composer, performer and co-director of the New York based Wet Ink Ensemble, Alex Mincek makes his debut on the Option stage. A conversation with Option’s own Ken Vandermark about his creative work follows the performance.
Option is pleased to welcome the prolific composer, pianist and Guggenheim fellow Myra Melford for a solo performance and discussion about her work with curator Tim Daisy. Don’t miss your chance to hear one of the giants of modern music perform in the cozy confines of Studio A.
“Texas born and New York based drummer Ryan Sawyer bring his versatile talents to the Option series where he’ll present a set of solo music. Following this, he’ll discuss his history and creative work with Ken Vandermark.” -tim daisy/Option curator
Sarah Clausen is one of a new generation of musicians currently making waves in Chicago’s fertile creative music scene.
American musician and composer Darin Gray is best known for his multiple collaborations with diverse musicians - perhaps less known is his fantastic solo work for both bass and electronics which he will present for the Option Series followed by a discussion with Tim Daisy.
Option is pleased to welcome one of the most prolific artists working in the field of creative music, percussionist William Winant. Don’t miss your chance to hear one of the leading lights of creative music perform solo inside the intimate setting of studio A.
A musician who needs no introduction, Option welcomes back the great Joe Morris for a solo set of music on guitar followed by a set of duo improvisations with Chicago based guitarist Andrew Clinkman.
Musician, composer and sound designer Alisa Kolot presents a work for synthesizer and prepared piano for her debut on the Option stage.
Brooklyn based pianist, improviser and composer Eli Wallace has worked with a whole range of acclaimed musicians and ensembles. His multi-dimensional and highly original sonic expressions will take full advantage of both on and inside the piano for his solo Option debut. Eli will be joined by Beth McDonald playing tuba and electronics in the second set.
Western Mass’s Hollow Deck which include the partnership of multi-instrumentalists Mia Friedman and Andy Allen will bring their exciting and hard to categorize music to the Experimental Sound Studio for the first time.
Cellist Katinka Kleijn and guitarist Bill MacKay have each built impressive resumes in their respective musical trajectories over the years, including their longstanding collaboration together. A truly dynamic duo not to be missed!
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sima Cunningham has been a mainstay of the Chicago music scene for more than a decade. Join us for Sima’s debut Option performance, presenting her unique musical talents in both a solo and group setting.
As a performer, composer, music technologist, presenter and educator, Jeff Albert has worked endlessly across multiple genres developing and sharing his unique and personal musical vision. Don’t miss Jeff’s solo set utilizing both trombone and electronics followed by an interview with Ken Vandermark
Versatile bassist and composer Matt Lux performs a set of solo music on the Option Stage. He’ll then join Tim Daisy for a discussion about his life and work. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear one of the scenes most flexible and genre-blending musicians perform as well as talk about his decades-long career working with countless musicians and ensembles both here in Chicago and beyond.
Improvising guitarist, banjo player, vocalist, and poet Wendy Eisenberg performs a set of solo music for their Option debut. Wendy then joins Option’s own Tim Daisy for an interview about their life and work. Don’t miss it!
Brazil based saxophonist and composer Vinicuis Mendes makes his Option debut with a solo set for piano and saxophone followed by a set of original music with Chicago musicians Paul Giuallorenzo (piano) Eli Namay (bass) and Andrew Green (drums.) Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear one of the great musical minds from South America operating in the intimate setting of the Experimental Sound Studio.
Drummer and Composer Bill Harris is a rising star among the new generation of Chicago improvisers. For his Option concert, he’ll perform a new solo work followed by a set of improvisations with guitarist and violinist Peter Maunu.
This year's WAVE FRONT artist-in-residence is Brian Chu Yin-Woo (龢wo4) from Hong Kong. Before the end of his residency in Chicago, Brian will play a solo improvisation set, followed by a short presentation sharing insights into the underground music scene in his hometown and the ways in which it has inspired the ideas behind his creative process.
Pianist and composer Mabel Kwan brings in a highly personal and spirited approach to her work, both a performer and a composer of new music. Don’t miss this chance to hear one Chicago’s brightest talents perform in the intimate setting of the Experimental Sound Studio.
Legendary saxophonist Urs Leimgruber has been a fixture on the international improvised music scene for decades and has performed with an amazing array of talents. For this rare Chicago appearance, Urs will perform a set of solo music and then join Chicago greats Jason Roebke and Jim Baker.
Kim Alpert is one of the most exciting artists to be working with multimedia materials on the international scene. This performance on Option will be unique for the series, mixing Kim's real-time video synthesis and feedback, with movement and sonic artist components. Afterward, Kim will discuss her creative history and ideas with Ken Vandermark.
Drummer claire rousay is a leading light of a new generation of improvisers currently making waves in creative music. For her Option debut, she will present a set of solo music for percussion, followed by a duo set with Chicago based clarinetist Emily Beisel.
Flutist, improviser and composer Anne Laberge and vocalist/composer Amanda Schoofs mark their debut on the Option stage. Please join us for an evening of solo and duo music by these two of giants in the field of sound.
Brooklyn based saxophonist and composer Anna Webber performs a set of solo music followed by a duo set with Chicago percussionist and composer Tim Daisy. Don’t miss the chance to hear these two artists collaborate in what’s sure to be an exciting evening of sound exploration.
Percussionist and composer Adam Shead is a highly prolific member of Chicago’s improvised music scene. Along with drumming and writing for a number of creative ensembles, he also organizes the Improvised Series at Slate Arts and Performance. Adam will perform a set of music for solo drums, followed by a duet with the versatile Matt Piet on piano. This will be Adam’s premier performance on the Option stage.
Prolific NY based composer and saxophonist Sam Weinberg and the versatile bassist and composer Henry Fraser perform solo and duo for their first appearance on the Option Series.
