Experimental Jazz Performance with Top Musicians to Expand UA’s Musical Horizons

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — “A Night of Experimental Jazz,” an opportunity to experience freestyle jazz and view ways that music can directly correspond with visual art and design, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in 1093 Shelby Hall at The University of Alabama.

The event is free and open to the public.

The performance is part of the Creative Campus Initiative’s “Variations” series in conjunction with “Beginning, Begin Again,” an improvisatory performance at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at UA’s Allen Bales Theatre.

In the Nov. 17 performance, experimental guitarist Eugene Chadbourne and percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani will give the UA student body a taste of their improvisational talents. Chadbourne has been involved in the music scene since the early 1970s, starting out in rock ‘n’ roll, moving into blues and country, then fusing these genres to form his own style. He has collaborated with musicians including John Zorn, Jimmy Carl Black and Derek Bailey. His “Shockability” shows of the 1980s shook the foundations of what many thought were the limitations of rock music.

Nakatani is a Hopscotch Records recording artist and an institution in New York’s experimental jazz scene. He uses a wide range of percussion sets and voices to convey his musical ideas. Listeners never know what they will get when listening to Nakatani. The experimental percussionist also founded H & H Production, a music and dance studio through which he trains other young aspiring musicians. Nakatani actively works in music production and sound design in addition to his performances.

Also performing in the Nov. 17 concert is Dr. Andrew Raffo Dewar, assistant professor in New College and music. Dewar has researched extensively the music and culture of the United States and Southeast Asia. He has also studied and performed with jazz greats Bill Dixon, Anthony Braxton and Steve Lacy. He will perform on the soprano saxophone.

This musical trio will be complemented by moderate set design and artwork by University of Alabama interior design students and Creative Campus interns. For more details, contact Creative Campus at 205/348-7884 or uacreativecampus@gmail.com.