ContraPunctus Debut Album Release Performance

The group takes its name and inspiration from counterpoint, musical lines interwoven in conversation, while embracing the full breadth of their collective experience across jazz, free improvisation, rock, and folk traditions. Their repertoire moves fluidly between original compositions, reimaginings of Carla Bley, Baden Powell, and Billy Strayhorn, and spontaneous improvisations. At once rooted and exploratory, ContraPunctus invites listeners into music that is alive in the moment; polyphonic, adventurous, joyful and generous.

Mike McGinnis: clarinet/saxophone
Carmen Staff: piano
Gui Duvignau: bass
Hamir Atwal: drums

Jim Macnie says......
"The foursome of clarinetist Mike McGinnis, bassist Gui Duvignau, drummer Hamir Atwal, and pianist Staaf has been uniting with intermittent regularity for a minute now, and I’m betting dollars to donuts that their chemistry is cohering while their book is expanding. A lot of the attraction the keyboardist generates is due to touch. She’s expert at weighing the value of each new phrase and implementing them with a judicious delivery. She’s also got mucho skills when it comes to making the outside seem in."

"They’ve hit the studio since the last time I heard ’em, and I can’t wait to check it because their book teems with melodies, always a plus compared to the mildly predictable riff tunes that occasionally show up on stages these days. Plus, they’re a band, with a handful of writers and broader persona because of it. The three or four times I’ve caught ’em, Carmen Staaf, Mike McGinnis, Gui Duvignau, and Hamir Atwal have tickled me immensely by continuously passing the ball around. A romantic tune from the bassist, an introspective piece from the pianist, and a flight of fancy from the reed player – their directions are many. Not to mention that Carla Bley update. And the solos – Staaf’s a fire starter, pure and simple. Variety is you know what, so get ready to be tickled yourself."

8pm
$20 suggested. Pay now online or that night in person.

CONTRAPUNCTUS - ALBUM RELEASE

CONTRAPUNCTUS - ALBUM RELEASE