Free Improvisation

11 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Free Jazz



Details:
Travis Baker, bass
Sara Schoenbeck, bassoon

This recording is the culmination of a two year process of experimenting with instrumental possibilities stemming from a mutual love of extended technique, microtonal music and a willingness and desire to explore the many facets of the human psyche through sound. The depth and richness of the unique combination of Bassoon and Doublebass, two instruments typically known as support instruments lends credence to this duoâs commitment to the expansion of the vocabulary and voices of their respective instruments.

Recorded and mixed at Blue Wave Studios by Shawn Pierce. Produced by Travis Baker.


What the Critics are Saying:


Both Travis Baker and Sara Schoenbeck are virtuosi on their instruments, and their coupling, which may seem odd at first, makes perfect sense. The bassoon and bass roughly share the same range, with strikingly different timbre. I'd guess from Schoenbeck's clear tone, crisp articulation, and fine sense of rhythm that she comes from a classical background. Her improvisational skills are finely honed too, as she listens carefully, producing well developed lines. Occasionally she explodes, but she is most comfortable with short runs and logical phrasing. Baker, on the other hand, is more carefree in his approach, more likely to let loose, to experiment, to scratch beneath the surface. Together they are an impressive pair, complementing one another and interacting precisely, although the bassoon is the dominant voice. ... The results are more than a curio; they are something of value.
Steve Loewy, Cadence