Jonah Parzen-Johnson Jonah Parzen-Johnson makes music that challenges
listeners with experimental electronic textures and embraces them with
warm approachable melodies. His solo performances are a deeply
intimate experience, as he endeavors to share who he is, how he see's
our world, and the temporary moments of community that we can all
embrace together. In his hands baritone saxophone and hardware
electronics become a vehicle for "de facto folk songs," (Bandcamp
Daily) as if he is, "constructing a whole musical town from specific,
character-driven notes”. Since 2015, Jonah has toured over 40
thousand miles, by himself. He has performed on 4 continents, and in 9
countries. Everywhere from Jazz festivals to DIY noise clubs, living
rooms to Contemporary Art museums. In July 2017, he released his third
full length solo album, "I Try To Remember Where I Come From". The
release has been described as, “haunted by abstraction but guided by
a compassionate pulse,” (New York Times), as it, “vividly channels
free-jazz with elements of improvisation and composition, combining to
create a sustained meditative mood, transporting listeners to another
world.” (Downbeat Magazine). In June 2019 he followed up the release
with his first live recording, "Helsinki 8.12.18", an exciting preview
of the music to come on his upcoming album LP, "Imagine Giving Up",
out January 2020 on We Jazz Records. Jonah is a long-time Brooklyn
resident, but his circular breathing, multi-phonics and inclusively
experimental style owe a debt to Chicago, the city where he was
raised. His devotion to an almost vocal approach places him in new
territory for the instrument. Paired with a one-of-a-kind
compositional style that utilizes analog synths, and hardware samplers
& sequencers, Jonah continues to find himself ready to share his own
unique musical world. Dustin Laurenzi Chicago saxophonist Dustin
Laurenzi has developed a distinctly personal approach to improvisation
and composition that has garnered the attention of the city's creative
music community. Recognized for his "offbeat approach to articulating
harmonies and constructing melodies" (NextBop), Laurenzi's music is
inspired and informed by jazz, folk, improvised music, and
contemporary classical music. His inventive improvisational
sensibilities have made him a sought-after musician in many circles of
Chicago's vibrant music scene. Laurenzi has been a leader/co-leader of
his own projects, Twin Talk, Snaketime, and Natural Language, as well
as a member of Matt Ulery’s Loom/Large, the Quentin Coaxum Quintet,
and Katie Ernst's Little Words, among others. He has released several
albums featuring his original compositions, including Twin Talk’s
2019 release Weaver (37d03d), praised by PopMatters as “inventive
and exhilarating.” Most recently, Laurenzi released Snaketime: The
Music of Moondog (Astral Spirits/Feeding Tube Records), featuring an
octet of Chicago’s leading improvisers interpreting music by the
iconoclastic street musician, poet, and composer. Laurenzi has toured
extensively with Grammy award-winning artist Bon Iver, with
performances at Coachella Music Festival, Primavera Sound, and the
Hollywood Bowl, among others. He also appears on the band's critically
acclaimed 2016 release 22, A Million. "Laurenzi has already achieved
one of the toughest things to do in jazz without overdoing it: a
genuine presence." - Chicago Reader Website / Facebook / Bandcamp /
Instagram / Twitter
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21/02/2020 Last update