An evening of/for open minds and hearts… On his first visit to Hamilton, New York double bassist, composer, improviser Stephan Crump will perform an invigorating solo set, gracing the intimate Zula stage at You Me Gallery. Hamilton multi-instrumentalists, improvisers Blue Moss, made up of Connor Bennett and David Nardi, play exploratory music that reflects their mutual love and inspiration of an eclectic range of musical styles and approaches.
STEPHAN CRUMP
“I am tempted to call Rocket Love my favorite solo bass recording of all time. At a minimum, it is the most varied and fun.” Popmatters
“Crump coaxed from his bass the kind of striking, spectral sob that makes audiences want to erupt in applause” L.A. Magazine
“As a bassist and composer, Mr. Crump avoids obvious routes but manages never to lose his way” The New York Times
“strikingly fresh and unobvious compositions…an impressive and original voice” The Wire
“categories cease to matter” JazzTimes
“astonishingly beautiful playing” London Jazz News
“Crump’s music is original” Downbeat
Memphis-bred, Grammy-nominated, Echo Award-winning bassist/composer Stephan Crump is an active bandleader with fifteen critically-acclaimed album releases in addition to numerous film scoring contributions. Known for transforming his instrument into a speaking entity of magnetic pull, his focus on creative instrumental music has led to collaborations with many of the leading lights of his generation, most notably Vijay Iyer, in whose trio and sextet Crump played a dynamic, founding role.
He can also be heard as long-standing member of Jen Chapin Trio, Ches Smith Trio, Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet, Liberty Ellman Sextet, Secret Keeper (duo with Mary Halvorson), his own Rosetta Trio (with Jamie Fox, Liberty Ellman), his Rhombal quartet (with Ellery Eskelin, Adam O’Farrill, Tyshawn Sorey), as well as co-led ensembles with Kris Davis, Ingrid Laubrock, Cory Smythe, Eric McPherson, Mat Maneri, and Okkyung Lee.
“My solo performance journey got a jump-start by Mark Dresser, who invited me to perform at the New Music Summit of the 2009 International Society of Bassists convention. Solo playing is a challenge I had been wanting to pursue for some time, so, although quite frightened, I jumped at the opportunity. The program I put together was called Seven Improvisations: Modes of Expression and explored different points of departure for improvisation, from fully open to being based on melodic or rhythmic fragments, smaller structures to entire song forms. It is a richly rewarding and empowering experience to put on an entire concert alone with my bass while trying to make it a compelling journey for all involved. In 2022 I released my first solo bass album, Rocket Love, and have since been performing solo more frequently.” – Stephan Crump
BLUE MOSS
David Nardi (guitar, strings, percussion) and Connor Bennett (saxophone, flute, whistle) are Blue Moss, whose improvised compositions draw inspiration from folk, drone, jazz, noise, and traditional Celtic idioms. Every performance serves as a deep sonic dive into a shared present moment. Throughout their respective careers, David and Connor have always been driven to make music from the depths of their being. The collaboration of Blue Moss has proven to be a radical facilitator of that drive, for both of them.
$17 advance tickets via Eventbrite or by e-transfer to tix [at] zulapresents [dot] org or $20 at the door [No one will be refused admission for lack of funds]
BLUE MOSS live at The Printed Word in Dundas, ON on May 25, 2024
We are most grateful to Canada Council for the Arts & the Department of Canadian Heritage for making this special series event possible... and to our venue partner You Me Gallery and Bryce Kanbara for their kind support and enthusiasm!