Flotation Device 2023-09-10 - The Art Ensemble of Seattle

Two new albums from Wayne Horvitz take the spotlight in this show: a pandemic era remote project and a collection of previously unissued live tracks by Horvitz's formidable 1980s trio with Bobby Previte and Butch Morris. Their release coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Art Ensemble of Chicago’s first post-Paris studio album, which showcases the versatility of that iconic quintet while extending its capabilities through the participation of Muhal Richard Abrams.

We also check out a new orchestral work by Anna Thorvaldsdottir that reminds us of Gloria Coates, a ten-piece improvisational project by Lucas Niggli that reminds us of John Zorn, some modern solos on Asian instruments from Lao Dan and Mamer, a stuttering trio track by Matt Mitchell, Kate Gentile and Brandon Seabrook, a just-recorded string quartet by Mark-Anthony Turnage, and some nostalgic fixed-media works from Evgueni Galperine and two more of our favorite Northwest musicians: Steve Layton and Marc Barreca.