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Sound On Survival Live
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Sound On Survival Live with Lisle Ellis, bass; Marco Eneidi, alto saxophone; and Peter Valsamis, drums is the first CD from the new label, Henceforth Records. These recordings were made when the trio was on a US tour last year. I will spare you voluminous words of praise as I hope you will find them yourself after hearing this CD.
This trio, to me, is intense and exciting, with their technical chops matched by their exuberant passion. George Lewis, who wrote the liner notes, sees this in them, as well. I hope you enjoy listening to it.
Distributed by North Country Distributors - info@ncdsales.com
Liner Notes
Against Pluralism
The first impression one might gain from this extraordinarily bold music is that any stance of neutrality simply must go by the boards--both while you are hearing it, and long after. One cannot remain blandly pluralistic with the sounds of this trio coursing through the nervous system: Bass "walking" that sounds more like running; a "ride" cymbal that careens through city streets at twice the speed of sound; saxophone glossolalia working that jab, using ancient and postmodern Morse codes.
The music of Ellis, Valsamis, and Eneidi--how is it possible? Because empathy is always present when human beings get together. The music serves as an anthem for this crucial aspect of the human condition, the "with-feeling" that draws us in as participant observers--not so much in an academic sense, but as listeners who become critically invested in the same work that these improvisors, like all human beings, draw upon for survival: games of chance, trompes d'oreille, reliance on intuition, sudden shifts of attention, goal-setting, predictions fulfilled or disconfirmed, and the vital discovery of form.
With its jump cuts, fast breaks, and slam-dunks, its combination of high intensity and utter relaxation, this radically collective music takes charge of consciousness, letting you know that it could go on indefinitely. More often than not, however, the sound suddenly comes to an arbitrated (but not arbitrary) ending. Retrospectively, it all makes sense, but in the moment, trust is one's only guide, and the musicians absolutely refuse to leave us forlorn.
George E. Lewis
New York City, February 2005
Sound on Survival Biographies
Marco Eneidi
At the forefront of creative jazz for more than twenty years, Marco Eneidi's horn playing has been described as fierce and uncompromising, yet natural. Rooted in the language of major influence Jimmy Lyons, his style is marked by a sophisticated approach to tonality and phrasing, shifting from silence to full-tilt din and back again. His compositions invent challenging variations on the jazz canon (blues, swing, bop), while moving far beyond traditional limits.
www.marcoeneidi.com
Lisle Ellis
Lisle Ellis's work as a bassist over the past thirty years has placed him at the front of legendary contemporary improvising musicians. Ellis's numerous recordings for international labels such as "Black Saint," "DIW," and "hat Art" attests to the strength of his art. He has played in a multitude of world wide performances with leading individuals including Peter Brötzmann, Marilyn Crispell, Dave Douglas, and Myra Melford, as well as being a member of visionary groups such as The Cecil Taylor Unit, the Paul Bley Trio, and the Glenn Spearman Double Trio. His unique expression, which critic Ben Watson described as "funky and free sensuality", can be heard on Ellis's current projects: What We Live with Lawrence Ochs and Donald Robinson; Sound On Survival with Marco Eneidi and Peter Valsamis; REV with Robinson and Swedish saxophonist Biggi Vinkeloe; duos with pianists Paul Plimley and Mike Wofford.
Another aspect to Ellis's recent work that is gaining more and more attention are his explorations of computer music, including his electronic performances with George Lewis, Joelle Leandre, Gerry Hemingway, Pamela Z and Haco. Ellis currently lives in New York City.
www.lisleellis.com
Peter Valsamis
Born in Montreal, Valsamis began playing the piano at the age of six, but soon moved to the drums. Concurrently, he developed a sensitivity to sound that drew him to record and manipulate sound on tape. Now based in Oakland, California, Valsamis continues to nurture a wide range of interests. As a drummer, he has performed in Europe, Asia, and North America, performing with Malcolm Goldstein, Steve Lacy, and Don Preston. He has been Artist-in-Residence at the Banff Centre for the Arts and has recent CD releases with pianist Dana Reason and Trance Mission. Valsamis's electro-acoustic compositions include a full-length soundtrack for the award winning experimental film re: Cycle by Ken Doolittle. Valsamis received his MFA in Electronic Music and Recording Media from Mills College. While at Mills, he studied with Pauline Oliveros, Alvin Curran, William Winant, and Leo Smith. Valsamis received the prestigious Hellman Scholarship in Performance in 1998 and 1999.
www.petervalsamis.com
Trio's website: www.soundonsurvival.com
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