music
Four musicians from different generations, all esteemed names in world free jazz, come together in Monster. This quartet comes from the hand of eternal saxophonist Joe McPhee, who, at 85, is a key figure in jazz and improvised music. He started out playing the trumpet, but was inspired by Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Albert Ayler and ended up taking up the saxophone. He now appears alongside them in the history books as one of the pioneers of improvisation and has been inspiring new generations of musicians with a sound in which individual expression and emotion take the lead.
At his side, Monster is completed by a luxury cast. Susanna Gartmayer, one of Austria’s most important clarinettists and composers, brings a wealth of experience that bounces between experimental rock, free improvisation and contemporary music. The British John Edwards has a long career in improvised music, dating back to the 80s. He has collaborated with names such as Peter Brötzmann, Evan Parker and Maggie Nichols, and has credits on more than 450 albums. Mariá Portugal, a Brazilian drummer, composer and singer, completes the quartet. A key figure in São Paulo’s experimental scene over the last 20 years, she has worked with Elza Soares, Anthony Braxton, Metá Metá, Maria Beraldo and Arrigo Barnabé.
seated audience
joe mcphee tenor saxophone and vocals
susanna gartmayer bass clarinet
john edwards double bass
mariá portugal vocals and drums
support portuguese republic – culture / directorate-general for the arts. rtcp – network of portuguese theaters and cinemas.
