Emilio Gordoa (MX/DE): vibraphone
Don Malfon (ES/MX): saxophone
John Edwards (GB): double bass
Dag Magnus Narvesen (NO/DE): drums
“The highlight of the festival (À L’ARME Festival 2018), came from Gordoa-Malfon-Edwards-Narvesen, a ‘fully improvised music quartet’ from Mexico, Barcelona, London and Norway respectively. Each instrument was played in a way that focused more on short pulses and rhythmic transients than melody. The four men seemed to be in perfect sync with each other. Every pause and crescendo was executed with such precision that it was hard to believe they were improvising. The energy was high in the room, with people whooping and hollering at moments of particular ferocity.” (Mark Byrne)
The chemistry between the four musicians is undoubtedly right, the relevant experts were simply thrilled after the performance of this cloverleaf at the Berlin À L’Arme Festival 2018. Four curious and creative souls come together to give further inspiration to the achievements of free jazz. First, there is the young, up-and-coming Mexican percussionist and vibraphonist Emilio Gordoa. Based in Berlin since 2012, his keen artistic curiosity has quickly secured him a place in the scene of free improvisation, free jazz, noise, experimental music and sound art. He prepares his vibraphone with various paraphernalia and expands its sounds by exploring new playing techniques, completely redefining this traditional jazz instrument. Saxophonist Don Malfon, a great stylist and native of Spain, has the serenity of those who have already explored and expanded the boundaries of free playing in countless encounters with colleagues, without losing intensity or even passion. One of the most sought-after free bassists is undoubtedly John Edwards. The Brit seems to be redefining the word Brexit for years now, his countless trips to festivals and clubs all over Europe and the rest of the world honor him as one of the greats of the genre. His playing partners include Joe McPhee, Phil Minton, Roger Turner, Sunny Murray and Louis Moholo Moholo. And then there is the young Norwegian Dag Magnus Narvesen. Among his own projects and as a member of numerous large and small bands, the Duo Schlippenbach/Narvesen, the Dag Magnus Narvesen kvintett and the Kitchen Orchestra stand out. Very promising!
Admission: 15/12/6 € (normal price/reduced/Berlin-Pass)
19.00 soundwalk with Thomas Gerwin
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXgwQb_f1dA
