The music makers at Musicmatters
With the Musicmatters Festival just around the corner, we caught up with some of the visiting artists to talk to them about their work, what audiences can expect from them at the festival early next month and what they’re looking forward to in Sri Lanka. Here’s what they had to say:
Dan Weisslikes to play the tabla on the drums – as you can imagine, it’s a process not without its challenges. “In order to keep the integrity of each composition while saying something meaningful on the drums is tough. Ergonomically there are many challenges too. Things that are played with the tabla using fingers require a certain touch. When one plays the drums, sticks and brushes are the most common ways of expressing rhythm. So in order to mimic finger strokes, one has to have a sensitive touch on the drums.”
Dan Weiss
Still, the musician has found it a rewarding exercise: “I did it because I thought it would be fun first of all and second of all I figured that expressing these compositions on the drum set would broaden my palette and vocabulary.” (Those interested in knowing more should take note of Dan’s workshop on ‘Adapting the tabla on to the drumset.’)
Dan attributes much of his success to his good fortune in becoming a student of Pandit Samir Chatterjee. Describing the need to “basically surrender” to his guru, he describes the relationship as unique. “Because of him I see music as a path to self-transformation and possible enlightenment.”
Derek Beckvoldshares Dan’s fascination with the tabla. Though his other instrument of choice is a saxophone, he finds that “one informs the other quite directly.” Recently awarded a Fulbright Scholarship from the US State Department to study the “intersection of tabla rhythmic material with western pedagogical and performance practice” in Delhi, Derek says the “tabla is a very melodic and vocal instrument, as is the saxophone, so
Derek Beckvold
in that sense I think there are ways to transfer this melodic development of tabla repertoire to the saxophone’s language.” Having taught at the Musicmatters school last year, Derek is happy to be returning. “I met some talented, creative people and am very grateful that I am able to see some of them returning again this year, such as Tyson Smith and Darren Moore. It’s always inspiring to check out what other people are coming up with.”
Saxophonist Jeff Henderson and pianist Hermione Johnson( together, The Humouresque Icons) will be among those likely to impress. “Hermione comes from a classical background and I have played a lot of jazz and contemporary music so developing a common musical language has been both challenging and pleasurable!” Jeff tells the Sunday Times.“The challenge is not to do with the instruments, but with trying to develop some unique and new music.”
Constantly improvising, as a duo they live to be “on the edge” – playing without pre-determined forms or structures. “Hermione ‘prepares’ the piano with objects, screws, erasers, tape etc. – this radically transforms the sound of the piano and turns the instrument into more of a noise maker than traditional instrument. Each time we play the piano sounds different, which means we have to make new music every performance,” adds Jeff.
Jeff Henderson
Korean singer Baeil Dong and Australian master musician Simon Barker (drums) and Scott Tinkler (trumpet) unite to form Chiri. Simon and Scott (whom the former describes as “one of the most extraordinary trumpeters alive”) have performed together in a number of improvising ensembles for over 20 years. Now, Il Dong’s pansori (Korean epic story singing) has added a new dimension to their work. “Il Dong is an extraordinary singer, even in Korea his style is unique,” says Simon, admiring how his colleague explores the deepest levels of energy, emotional expression, and sheer grain of voice. “Audiences hearing him for the first time, are usually shocked at the sheer power and emotion in his singing.”
Chiri will use the festival to perform the world premiere of their composition ‘Echo from an Empty Creek’ and Simon will also be conducting a workshop on ‘Koreanisation of the Western Drumset.’ “In 2000, I spent an extended period of time studying Korea in order to try and understand, and embrace, Koreans’ approach’s to sound production, physical relaxation and core focus, aesthetics of rhythm, and concepts about traditional percussion orchestration,” explains Simon. During the workshop he intends to demonstrate a variety of core ideas that have completely changed the way he approaches the drumset and have helped him solve a range of challenges that he faced as a young musician.
At the Festival, New Zealand based guitarist Tyson Smith will be celebrating the completion of his album ‘The Hollow Tree.’If you caught him live last year, chances are you’ve already heard some of the tracks. (Tyson recently released ‘Line Of Sight’ for free download on www.tysonsmithmusic.com). Fans of his music love hearing the influences of other cultures in his work.
Hermione Johnson
Having not just performed but also having taught at Musicmatters last year, Tyson sees the local music scene as going through an exciting phase. “I think you can clearly see the results of any energy that is invested in putting on events and I think things are going to develop exponentially. This year’s festival already seems a notch above last year.” Tyson will also be teaching a workshop on jazz improvisation for the guitar.
Percussion duo Darren Moore and Suresh Vaidyanathan can never quite predict how a concert will turn out. “Suresh and I focus on interaction and improvisation, so the performances for us are never formulaic or boring; neither of us know what is going to happen,” says Darren.“For me the only challenge is to try and keep up with Suresh!”
Suresh’s instrument of choice is a ghatam- a delicate clay pot on which he produces acoustic percussion. “Imbibing, intricacies, techniques and traditional knowledge from revered teachers, I have worked on the instrument for more than three decades now,” he says, adding that he has evolved “a fresh technique and an aesthetically aggressive style called Ghatam Suresh School of ghatam playing.” In concert, the duo pair the ghatam with a western drum set. “We promise lot of aesthetic intricacies which are very rare to watch and hear live,” says Suresh, who finds their “call and response”bouts most entertaining for both musicians and audience.
The two first met seven years ago when Darren signed up for Suresh’s master class on the Carnatic rhythmic system. They have since performed quite a number of duets, recorded an album (TERITORIUM) and are writing a book about Indian rhythm for western musicians.
The main festival partners are the Goethe Institut, British Council, American Center and the Australian High Commission of Colombo. Electronic media sponsors are TNL and Lite FM. Online Partner is Yamu. Print media sponsors are the Sunday Times, Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa. Festival sponsors are Runeware Audiovisual and Integrated Solutions, Finagle Bread Bakers, SriLankan Airlines, Yamaha Music Centre and Fairway Holdings.
| The Musicmatters Festival is on from August 5 – 9. Tickets for the Musicmatters Festival Main Concert, priced at Rs 1000, can now be purchased through TicketsLK, Goethe Institut, British Council, Yamaha and Musicmatters. For more information about other concerts of the festival, please visit musicmatterssrilanka.com/festival.php or call 0773018690. |