Ken Aldcrofts Convergence Ensemble CD release concert for Tangent for Eric Dolphy trp-020

the premiere of Joe Sorbaras

The Wire Cutter Suite For Charles Mingus

Featuring:

Ken Aldcroft- guitar

Karen Ng- alto saxophone

Emily Denison- trumpet

Scott Thomson- trombone

Wes Neal- double bass

Joe Sorbara- drums

November 30, 2014 8:30pm

Tranzac, Main Hall

292 Brunswick Ave.

Toronto, ON

$10/pwyc

Doors: 8pm, Concert: 8:30pm

www.kenaldcroft.com

www.ovalwindowmusic.org/joesorbara

www.tranzac.org

The Convergence Ensemble is a six-piece group, featuring the instrumentation of a fairly conventional modern jazz ensemble, is the primary conduit for Ken Aldcroft's compositional and conceptual work. In performance, a set list serves less as a road map for the execution of Ken's varied and dynamic pieces and more like a menu of possibilities; the group's members can, individually or collectively, spontaneously arrange any of the available material. Employing a system of aural and gestural cues, the group playfully and creatively reshapes each piece in the spirit of free improvisation, the approach that underpins the ensemble's composite musical experience. The Convergence Ensemble features Ken Aldcroft- guitar, Karen Ng- alto sax, Emily Denison- trumpet, Scott Thomson- trombone, Wes Neal- bass and Joe Sorbara drums. Tangent, their sixth CD release, is an extended suite inspired by the life and music of Eric Dolphy composed by Ken Aldcroft. Previous releases include Saskatoon 2013, Sneaky Pete-Slugs 2012, Our Hospitality 2009, Trolleys 2008 and The Great Divide 2006.

Joe Sorbara is a highly inventive drummer and percussionist with a penchant for coaxing music out of practically anything. Joe's drumkit is regularly augmented with found and prepared materials, which ensure that the sounds at his ready disposal are practically orchestral in scope. He combines these skills with an extraordinary time-feel that makes him one of the most swinging drummers in Canada when the music demands it of him. He is equally at home playing jazz standards, free improvised music, punk rock, and chamber musicbut prefers to play them all at the same time. He leads The Imperative, a trio featuring Jay Hay and Karen Ng on tenor saxophones, and two large ensembles: the ten-piece Abakos and a seven-or-more-tet known as Other Foot First. Each of these serve as uniquely challenging outlets for his inventive compositions. Elsewhere, Joe plays in Ken Aldcroft's Convergence Ensemble, the AIMToronto Orchestra, and Lullaby North, as well as in numerous ongoing and ad hoc collaborations with creative improvising musicians from all over. In addition to the above, he has recorded with Evan Parker, Anthony Braxton, Anna Siddall, the Remnants Trio, Ronda Rindone's Quorum, Tom Arthurs and Bruce MacKinnon, Glen Hall, and Peter van Huffel.

Thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts Commissioning Program

Thanks to the Toronto Arts Councils Music Program: Project Fund