Theo Bleckmann (voice/loops & toys) and John Hollenbeck (percussion/drums & toys)
These two New York improvisers intimately create melodious and mercurial
soundscapes. Bleckmann and Hollenbeck work with layering, contrast, irritation and harmony using voice, drums, percussion, found objects, low-tech electronic gadgets and toys. Both have been working in the New York jazz and improvisers scene for close to 15 years performing with such greats as Anthony Braxton, Laurie Anderson, John Zorn, Bang On a Can and Merce Cunningham Dance Company (Theo Bleckmann) and Bob Brookmeyer, David Liebman, Cuong Vu and Mark Morris Dance Group (John Hollenbeck). They have been performing as a duo since 1997, appearing throughout the US and Europe as well as in Meredith Monk’s vocal Ensemble. They have also performed together in many other groups together including Hollenbeck’s quartet lucy (recorded on blueshift/CRI) and Hollenbeck’s Large Ensemble, whose latest CD “a blessing” was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2007, as well as Bleckmann’s “origami” (Songlines Recordings). Together with pianist and organist Gary Versace they are refuge trio, which has just released their first CD on Winter and Winter. Their duo CD, Static Still, on their own GPE Records is available at
www.jazzloft.com, www.omnitone.com, the downtown music gallery and thru their own websites www.TheoBleckmann.com and www.JohnHollenbeck.com
“Defying categorization” has become as predictable as any of the old categories ever were. It’s simply really: just reference music without committing to any of it. So how beautiful it is to hear two players who explode all boundaries with their embrace-who commit to all, and all at once…a rich and strange world of noise, motion and melody, all of it infused with wit and unerring musicality. The myriad strains are all there, from country to jungle to operatic, but they’re drawn out with a tender glance, not a wink.” – Mark Fefer- SEATTLE WEEKLY , USA
