Improv Arts, Inc. presents: Golden Arm Trio and DCIC

Dear friends,

Some quick news bites regarding the DC Improvisers Collective (DCIC):

1. DCIC is performing this Saturday with Anorak, details here.
And in a happy coincidence, the Arts District has other great improv music happening that same night... Kahil El'Zabar, Hammiet Bluiett, Doctor Sebi at Joe's. Details here.

2. DCIC's studio album, Triangulation, is on sale now. Holidays are on the way so we're slashing prices like Crazy Eddie!
Cd's are now only $7 - order from Dischord here.
Mp3's are only $4 - order from CDBaby here.

3. Want to show the world (well, the virtual world of your pseudo-friends) that you are a DCIC fan? Now you can. Since I am reluctant to use the word "friend" as a verb, you can "be our fan" on facebook. Click here.

I hope you're all doing well? Maybe see you soon?
Rock on,
-Jon

--
http://jonathanmatis.alkem.org

#42

From: Jonathan Morris <morrismatis@...>
Date: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:11 pm
Subject: Mid-August Matis Mania

morrismatis@...

Dear friends,

I have some August news and announcements I'd like to share. It's kinda wordy so I'll try to make this easy to skim through...

1. Old releases now available online (and some new ones too). I wrote little articles about them, and there's more on the way.
http://morrismatis.blogspot.com/search/label/new-to-you

1b. The new album by Low End String Quartet, "Blunt Objects" is out. You can hear it (or download it for only $5)
http://lesq.bandcamp.com/album/blunt-objects

2. We got a small grant from the Maryland State Arts council for the Low End String Quartet. Yay!

3. Cameron and I are adopting a new puppy in a few days. Yay!
http://morrismatis.blogspot.com/2009/07/were-getting-baby-dog.html

4. Three upcoming shows. Two with DCIC, one with Low End String Quartet:

Sunday, August 16: Zevious and DCIC at Galaxy Hut, 9pm
Wednesday,� August 19: Elliot Levin, DCIC, and MCX at Bossa Bistro, 8pm
and Saturday, August 22: A Light Sleeper and Low End String Quartet at Artdc gallery in Hyattsville. 7pm

details for all three (time, price, address, links, etc) can be found here:
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/group/2078/

Thanks for reading. Hope you're having a great summer!
-Jon

PS. 4b. The Low End String Quartet show on Aug.22 is at a new venue with a new band that you haven't heard of... but it's gonna be special. Here's the whole spiel (is that how you spell "spiel?"):

You've suffered through the dog days. Trade up to one bitchin' night.

Where's the fun? Hyattsville, Maryland. You heard that right. The coolness is cruising out to PG County. Arts District in action muthafucka.

We've put together a lineup of live music that is gonna be one of those shows people talk about years later: "Remember that show that time, at that gallery we'd never been to? It was like in the middle of the summer and they played outside and it was some crazy stuff we'd never heard of and it was like the most amazing thing? Remember that? That was an awesome night. How come that doesn't happen more often?" That's what people will say. Years from now.

The main attraction is a really great band you've never heard of, from Chicago and recently signed to Another New Calligraphy. They are called "A Light Sleeper" and their music is wonderfully fragile and elegant. I don't know how they manage to weave it together, but somehow it works even though they steadily defy expectations and logic and physics. My rambling on won't do it justice. Click through to their website or myspace or something and have a listen. You'll want to catch the live show. Really. It's their first time out to the east coast so we can get a listen before they take off and we'll never be able to hear them in such an intimate setting again.

Also on the bill is The Low End String Quartet, celebrating the release of our new cd, Blunt Objects. Hyattsville based composer and guitarist Jonathan Matis (that's me) put this group together because string quartet music that rocks is awesome. That's what we're shooting for, and I think we're gonna hit the target. (Sorry about the third-person / first-person problems in this paragraph) If you think string quartets belong in the background at a wedding, then maybe sit this one out, but if you're open to something a little heavier I think we might be the stuff. Oh yeah, and if you noticed that bit about "guitarist" and string quartet and thought, "hey, there's no guitar in string quartet," well, you're right. But this one is a little different. There's a bass too. And the bass player is free jazz heavyweight from Baltimore, Vattel Cherry. During our last show, at Comet a few months ago, he totally lit the place up (metaphorically).

But wait, that's not all! Coming down from Brooklyn will be Pure Horsehair. Finger picking guitarist / songwriter Garrett DeVoe is the real thing. Click through and check out the music for him too... You won't regret it.

Honestly, it pains me to write this puffed up flim flam since what we're really talking about doesn't fit into words. I do believe it will be a magical evening. More so if you share it with us. Weather permitting, we're gonna play outside in front of the gallery.

The details:
Saturday, August 22
A Light Sleeper, Low End String Quartet, Pure Horsehair
at Artdc Gallery
The Lustine Center
5710 Baltimore Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20781
http://artdc.com/art-space/

Doors at 7:00. Music starts promptly at 7:30.
Pay what you like.

More info:
A Light Sleeper:
http://www.alightsleeper.com/

The Low End String Quartet:
http://lesq.alkem.org

Pure Horsehair:
http://www.myspace.com/purehorsehairmusic

--
http://jonathanmatis.alkem.org

#41

From: Jonathan Morris <morrismatis@...>
Date: Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:25 pm
Subject: Reversal at Artomatic - Friday

morrismatis@...

Folkses:

I hope you all are having a great summer so far. It's a beautiful day in Mount Rainier. Lucky me, I got to ride my bike to work today (but my four legged office manager had to stay home).

Wanted to give a quick heads-up... my instrumental rock band, Reversal, is playing on Friday night at Artomatic. It's a free show at a cool venue, so if you're looking for something fun to do on Friday night in DC, this might be it.

Artomatic is a non-juried gi-normous art festival. Nine floors of all kinds of stuff is up for your perusal, in the building above the Navy Yard metro station. We'll be on the "Electric Stage" at 10pm on Friday. Come out early and check out all the artwork, stay for the show. It will be a fun place to hang out. They have beer there. Our friends Pup Tent are on at 9pm and we go on after them. Fun times.

The Nats are playing an away game that night, so there will be ample parking.

Come hear our newest hit song, "High School Jazz Band." (This one has a title, as opposed to all the others so far that are only numbered)

If we finish the other new song we're working on (#7), our set might just pass the 30 minute mark! It's only taken us, like, a year and a half to write 30 minutes of music. So, it must be awesome, right?

Anyway, maybe we see each other on Friday night?
-Jon

Linkies:
http://www.myspace.com/reversalisaband
http://artomatic.org/

Details:
Artomatic
55 M Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Located directly above the Green Line Navy Yard Metro Stop, West Entrance
free free free

--
http://jonathanmatis.alkem.org

#40

From: Jonathan Morris <morrismatis@...>
Date: Tue Jun 9, 2009 8:32 pm
Subject: Low End String Quartet - this weekend in DC

morrismatis@...

Dear friends,

If you are in DC this weekend, there is an awful lot of great music being played around town...

Assuming you don't already have tickets to TV on the Radio, for example, you may want to spend your Saturday evening at Comet Pizza and Ping Pong. For starters, they have really great pizza, and they have ping pong. If that's not enough, there will also be a concert. In my opinion, it will rock. I'm happy to hear what you think.

The show will feature:
The Mantis
Tone
and my group: The Low End String Quartet

It's going to be stupid cheap - like $5 or something... so you will have cash left over for the pizza, etc.

Hope you're enjoying the start of summer. See you soon?
-Jon

The details:

Sat. June 13, 9:00pm
Comet Pizza and Ping Pong
5037 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC
http://www.cometpingpong.com/

Event page on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=84898366316

Links for the bands:

Tone:
http://www.tone-dc.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tonedc

Mantis:
http://www.myspace.com/themantis

Low End String Quartet:
http://lesq.alkem.org
http://myspace.com/lesq

#39

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:48 pm
Subject: Matis about town: Hay fever edition

j_matis

Offline

Dear Friends,

I have a few upcoming shows I'd like to tell you about (details below). I hope you're enjoying the transition into Spring and I hope to see you soon,
-Jon

PS. If you're in Austin for SXSW (or any other reason) I'm crazy jealous.

Coming up on Monday (3/23), DCIC will be at Galaxy Hut. We're opening for Altamira. They are a really great instrumental rock band from Philadelphia. Galaxy Hut is always a fun place to hang out. We've shared the stage with members of Altamira over the last year, this is the first time we get to hear them all together. Ricardo, their drummer, went on the road with Joe Lally and me last spring. Nick, the guitarist, played with us at Velvet Lounge when he was in town with his other band, Circles. John, the bass player, also shared an evening at Velvet Lounge with his other trio, Zevious. Having heard them each separately, I can vouch for the ridiculous amount of talent that will be on hand at Galaxy Hut on Monday night. As for DCIC, our trio lineup has really coalesced into something over the last two years. Mike, our sax player, has been getting quite busy playing around town with every improv "supergroup" in town. Ben is crazy busy as usual playing in something like two hundred and fifty other bands. It's always a treat for me to get together with those guys and see what happens. I'm especially curious about this one because I've been taking guitar lessons again, after a very long hiatus, and I'm curious to see what kind of impact that may have, even after only a few months.

Then I'm at Dance Place for the weekend of March 28 and 29. They're presenting a shared evening by Daniel Burkholder and Jane Jerardi. I'm playing in Daniel's half. His dance company has been working on a big (epic?) piece about water. We've been at this for several years now. This will be the biggest version yet. Originally, I tried to make the music out of very very limited materials (like four or five notes for the whole thing). For this big big version, I had to cave in and write some more music. While I'm usually quite happy to play a simple five note pattern for hours on end, this piece really seemed to be asking for something more so I'm gonna bring it...

Then, on Thursday April 2nd, I am delighted to announce the premiere performance of my rock band, Reversal. We've been playing together for over a year collaborating on new music. Finally we get to share it in public. While I hope this music will have some appeal beyond math-rock geeks like me, I can say with some confidence that fans of the math-rock will not be disappointed. We're playing at Solly's Tavern on U Street (corner of 11th and U). They have $3 PBR and the show costs only $5. Do the math. It's a recession proof night out on the town. Celebrate Spring: allergy medicine plus pabst equals big fun. Hope you can join us.

Here's all the details and links, etc.:

Monday, March 23rd:
DCIC and Altamira
at Galaxy Hut
2711 Wilson Blvd
Arlington VA 22201
9pm, $5

DCIC: http://dcic.alkem.org/
Altamira: http://www.myspace.com/altamiraphilly
Galaxy Hut: http://galaxyhut.com/

-----

Saturday, March 28, 8pm
Sunday, March 29, 7pm
Daniel Burkholder and Jane Jerardi
at Dance Place
3225 8th Street, NE
Washington DC 20017
$22

Tickets: http://www.danceplace.org/Performances.aspx?Sc=181
Daniel Burkholder: http://web.mac.com/theplayground/Site/Welcome.html
Jane Jerardi: http://janejerardi.com/

-----

Thursday, April 2
Reversal, Sun Committee, The Foreign Press
at Solly's Tavern
1942 11th St, NW (11th and U St)
Washington DC
9pm, $5

Reversal: http://www.myspace.com/reversalisaband
Sun Committee: http://www.myspace.com/suncommittee
The Foreign Press: http://www.www.myspace.com/theforeignpressdc>
Solly's: http://www.sollystavern.com/

http://jonathanmatis.alkem.org

#38

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:32 pm
Subject: Low End String Quartet - this saturday in DC

j_matis

Offline

Dear Friends,

Just wanted to let you know that I have a show coming up... and it's a somewhat unusual one. I've put together a string quartet that is designed for playing in clubs and bars. We're called the Low End String Quartet and we're premiering several new pieces this coming Saturday (August 23rd) at the Velvet Lounge.

The idea has something to do with taking chamber music out of the stuffy old (and usually too large) venues, and bringing into the modern equivalent of a �chamber music� venue; and at the same time trying to reach a wider audience for �post-classical� (for lack of a better term) music.

It's a special early show � doors at 7pm, show at 8pm.

I'd love to know what you think of the music. Hope you can join us, it's going to be a fun night,
-Jon

The details:
Low End String Quartet at Velvet Lounge
915 U Street NW, Washington, DC
202.462.3213
Saturday August 23
Doors at 7pm
Show at 8pm
only $7

Links:

Low End Quartet:
http://lesq.alkem.org/
http://www.myspace.com/lesq

Event page(s):
because everyone says we should be using social networking. I am not convinced.
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/471587/
http://events.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.detail&eventID=453745.83276
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=22891502978

Venue:
http://www.velvetloungedc.com/

#37

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Fri Jul 4, 2008 3:42 pm
Subject: free ticket - Source festival, saturday 2pm

j_matis

Offline

Dear Friends,

I have one extra ticket to the Source Festival (Interdisciplinary Group E) - this Saturday at 2pm.

If you'd like a free ticket, call me: 301-785-0884

Happy Independence Day!
-Jon

#36

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:29 pm
Subject: DCIC on Sunday, Source Festival all weekend

j_matis

Offline

Dear friends,

Hi there. I hope your summer is off to a good start?

I've been moving right along... When I got back from the Joe Lally tour at the end of May (which was great fun, and great practice too) I was broke (and hungry). Home cooking solved the hunger problem, and my new temp job (plus a handful of other gigs) is chipping away at the money issue.

I've got a handful of performances this weekend (all in DC):

1. DCIC at Electric Possible - Sunday, July 6. 8pm. $5

Phillips Hall,
801 22nd St, NW,
Rm B120 (in the basement)
(22nd and H Streets/GW Metro)
George Washington University
http://www.electricpossible.org/

2. "Paint it Blue" - a new dance / multimedia piece premieres this weekend in the Source Festival.
Three shows: Saturday at 2pm and 8pm; Sunday at 2pm

More info about both events & links to buy tickets and whatnot are on my blog:
http://morrismatis.blogspot.com/

Hope you have a great independence day weekend!
-Jon

#35

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Wed May 7, 2008 3:34 pm
Subject: DCIC in-store, and then I'm on the road...

j_matis

Offline

Dear friends,

Three little news items I'd like to share... Cameron and I are back from an amazing (although tiring) trip to Egypt and Jordan. Now I'm scrambling to get ready for what's next...

1. DCIC free in-store performance, this friday at Crooked Beat. Show starts promptly at 7pm. Let's go to Asylum afterwards for vegan nachos and shiner bock on tap, ok?
details: http://dcic.alkem.org/schedule.html

2. Starting a week from Friday, I'm going on tour playing guitar with Joe Lally. Check the dates below - for those of you not in the DC area, this is a great chance for us to visit in person. Plus the music will be really good. Joe Lally is a wonderful musician and singular songwriter... and Ricardo is an incredible drummer (who I am eager to meet). That combination is really a "dream team" rhythm section. It's going to be a blast playing with them every night for two weeks!
details: http://joelally.com/
and I'll paste the tour dates further down in this message

3. Eigenvalues has been awarded a small grant from the Puffin Foundation for developing a new piece. We are in the midst of a campaign to match their gift.
details: http://improvarts.alkem.org/cclub08spring.html

Here's the itinerary for the Joe Lally tour. Hope to see some of you while I'm on the road!
Hope you're doing well, and enjoying the Spring,
-Jon
-------------
May 16: Pittsburgh, PA - Garfield Artworks (early show, Joe's set at 7:45)
May 17: Cincinnati, OH - Blue Rock Tavern w/Pomegranates
May 18: Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern w/ Michael Columbia
May 19: Bloomington, IN - Art Hospital
May 20: Detroit, MI - Alvin's
May 21: Buffalo, NY - Soundlab (Big Orbit's Soundlab) w/ Thrones and Orthrelm
May 22: Ithaca, NY - No Radio Records
May 23: Cambridge, MA - Middle East ~upstairs~ w/ Glorytellers
May 24: Portland, ME - Space w/ Glorytellers
May 25: Providence, RI - The Livingroom w/ Glorytellers
May 26: New London, CT - The Oasis w/ Fatal FIlm and Hand Grenade Seranade (Joe's set at 11pm)
May 27: New York, NY - Knitting Factory w/ Glorytellers
May 28: Washington, DC - Black Cat ~backstage~ w/ Glorytellers
May 29: Philadelphia, PA - The Barbary w/ Glorytellers
May 30: Baltimore, MD - Talking Head w/ Glorytellers and Baby Aspirin

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#34

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:48 pm
Subject: spring campaign: Eigenvalues

j_matis

Offline

Dear friends,

It's that time of year again... time for raising money.

This spring, my campaign is on behalf of Eigenvalues, my text-sound project with Cameron McPhee.

We have just received a small grant from the Puffin Foundation to launch a new project. We have a few other proposals pending - but even if we get one of those, we're going to need a little more dough to get this done. Some additional details and links to give online, etc. are available here:
http://improvarts.alkem.org/cclub08spring.html

For general info about Eigenvalues, see:
http://www.myspace.com/eigenvalues

I hope you don't mind this intrusion / solicitation, and I hope you are doing well. I'd be delighted to chat with you. Give me a call and I can tell you more about the project, or we can just shoot the breeze ;-)
(I'll be traveling and offline starting Monday... through May 3rd - but I'll be in the car all day on Sunday - call anytime!)
301-785-0884

-Jon

P.S. I'll be on tour playing guitar with Joe Lally in May. We'll be in the midwest, and then the northeast US - for those of you not in DC, this might be a good chance to actually visit in person! Our tour dates are posted here:
http://joelally.com/

P.P.S. I'll paste our Eigenvalues "project description" below, so if you're interested you can get the whole spiel about the new project.

-------------------------------------
Deaf Justice: Dissenting Opinions from the Supreme Court's Most Tragic Moments

History has shown that ideals such as truth and justice are difficult to practice in the realm of government. The history of the United States is ripe with examples of our judicial system acting to protect wealth and property interests over individual rights guaranteed by the constitution. In practice, the judiciary is unable to escape the political arena, and is heavily influenced by many aspects of the surrounding culture.

Our goal is to create a text-based performance piece that examines pivotal moments in history when egregious injustices were upheld by the Supreme Court. In each of these cases, the justices were divided, and the minority opinions contain wisdom and guidance that, unfortunately, went unheeded at the time. By examining these dissenting opinions, we hope to create a piece of art that can shed some light on what could have been, as well as what we can aspire to in the future.

These historic voices of dissent provide a vast body of work which we will investigate on many levels as we write and compose this new piece. We are not legal scholars, and do not pretend to be. We are artists deeply interested in language. We are especially concerned with the intersection of language and culture. Probing this rich material we hope to find exceptional and powerful language in the midst of highly charged cultural dilemmas.

We have experience creating performance pieces using found texts, and this project will be informed by that experience. However, this project poses new challenges, considering the highly specialized language and culture of the legal system. Finding poetics in dense legal language will likely be difficult, but the charged context of this material will surely lend itself to a powerful new work.

The pivotal and problematic decisions we intend to investigate include:

Bush v. Gore (2000, �equal protection� used to justify not counting votes)
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896, upholding racial segregation by the doctrine of �separate but equal�)
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1856, Denied constitutional rights to African-Americans, and denied congress the ability to prohibit slavery in federal territories)
Korematsu v. United States (1944, Internment of Japanese Americans was constitutional)
Bowers v. Hardwick (1986, upheld the constitutionality of a Georgia sodomy law that criminalized oral and anal sex in private between consenting adults)
Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock (1902, granted congressional power over Indian affairs, virtually exempt from judicial oversight, reversing earlier precedent that emphasized tribal sovereignty)
Coppage v. Kansas (1915) and/or Adair v. United States (1908, allowed employers to use contracts that forbid employees from joining unions)

The piece that will be produced will exist in several forms. Phase one of the project will result in a spoken-word / text based performance piece, as well as an audio recording. After this has been completed, we hope to move on to phase two: a collaboration with film / video artists to produce a short film version of the piece.

__________________________________________________
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#33

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:27 am
Subject: DCIC cd release show - this saturday

j_matis

Offline

Dear friends,

The DC Improvisers Collective is delighted to be celebrating the release of our first proper studio album. It's been in the works for quite some time and now we'd love to share it with you.

We'll be performing this coming Saturday, March 22, at the Velvet Lounge. Also on the bill, is NYC-based hotshot saxophonist Steve Lehman. It's going to be a fun night, I promise.
Here's a link to complete info about the show:
http://dcic.alkem.org/pressreleases/feb08_2008_press_release.html

The album, Triangulation, is available at various stores around town as well as iTunes, and other fine digital music retailers. It's being distributed by Dischord Direct, so your favorite record store can order it for you, if that's how you like to do it.

You can also order a copy (or buy the MP3 version) from CDBaby: (only $10 for the CD, $8 for the download)
http://cdbaby.com/cd/dcimprov2

I think the record is awesome, but don't take my word for it... I believe there's going to be a review in this week's CityPaper, so grab one on Thursday and we'll see what they have to say about it. And those of you who ride metro to work may want to peek at the Washington Post Express this coming Thursday, I think they're running an interview with Steve Lehman.

The show this Saturday is the first event in the Spontaneous Infinity Festival - which will feature several nights of remarkable improvised music. The lowdown about the festival is online here:
http://sponinf.alkem.org/

I'd love to see you on Saturday. Let's catch up.
Seriously.

-Jon

p.s. While we're on the subject of me... if you know anyone looking for part-time bookkeeping help, grant writing, or maybe a composer, guitarist or audio engineer, I'm looking for some paid gigs.

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

#32

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:00 pm
Subject: last minute charitable gifts

j_matis

Offline

Dear Friends:

Happy new year!!!!

Just in case you are like me and scrambling to make year-end gifts in time for a tax deduction, I wanted to let you know that it's quick and easy to give to Improv Arts online... see:
http://improvarts.alkem.org/cclub.html

Hope you have a great 2008!!
-Jon

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#31

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Thu Sep 6, 2007 2:50 pm
Subject: Chris Black and DCIC - Sept 16

j_matis

Offline

we've got a show coming up, and it's going to be a fun one!

and you need a fun one after labor day weekend and back to school and back to work and no more summer. and james blake got knocked out of the US Open too early.

at least we've got this to look forward to:

Sunday Sept. 16

Chris Black (all the way from Austin, Texas)
with DCIC

at The Quarry House Tavern
8pm / $5

There are many reasons why you will want to attend this event:
> Chris Black's music is excellent and he's a mesmerizing performer
> Quarry House has an extensive beer selection, and tater tots with Old Bay on them
> Easily metro accessible - very short walk from Silver Spring (red line)
> Did you get that about the tater tots?
> DCIC featuring new drumset and BFG

The details:

Chris Black is a solo multi-instrumentalist from Austin, Texas, who travels with an upright bass, overdriven acoustic guitar, banjo, and violin. In performance he loops the music on the fly, creating rhythms and sounds to sing against. He will climb any and all available chairs, tables, and sturdy audience members to get his point across. Hear music at his website or myspace.

DCIC is a trio: saxophone, guitar, drums that plays completely improvised music. Somewhere between free jazz and avant-rock: energetic, unpredictable, and usually pretty good.

The Quarry House Tavern is the place to be. The Washington Post says, "At the top of any list of local neighborhood bars, Quarry House has great beer and bar food, served to a diverse clientele." All that and they're on myspace too. And you read the part about the tater tots, right?

>> upcoming.org
>> eventful.com

Sunday Sept. 16
8pm / $5
Quarry House Tavern
8401 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-587-9406

See you there!!

http://morrismatis.blogspot.com

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

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#30

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2007 10:43 pm
Subject: Matis shows in August

j_matis

Offline

Hey everybody!

I hope your summer is going nicely? I'm hot. Maybe it's the Bikram Yoga, but more likely it's the weather.

I've got two DC area shows coming up soon:

1. Eigenvalues (with The PlayGround): Sat. Aug. 11, 7:30pm, FREE
at Carter Barron Amphitheater

2. DCIC at the Black Cat: Sun. Aug. 19, 9:00pm, $7.00

click here for all the details.

-jon

ps. I feel icky sending out these emails that are solely self-promotional in nature, so I'm including below some random things that I recently discovered. Maybe interesting to you, too?

~ The awesome radio show This American Life is finally available as a podcast. Now you can listen at your convenience instead of according to the wacky schedule of your local NPR affiliate. (The TV show is also for sale on iTunes, and I give it the thumbs up)

~ Open source software has come a long way. I'm a dork... but not so much of a dork that I know how to use Linux or anything. Maybe now's the time to learn - there's a distro made for audio / video applications: Ubuntu Studio
I've also outfitted the obsolete computers at our Improv Arts office with Open Office (we can't afford the Microsoft stuff, and now why bother?); Thunderbird for email (b-bye Outlook); Nvu for web programming; and ClamWin for virus protection. Now if only someone could beat QuickBooks for accounting... Intuit has really gunked it up (and made it too expensive).

~ Here's something tasty... scones that are easy & delicious.

~ and two more tasty treats for summer: (you need a blender for both)

1. Peach Coolers (a long-time family favorite)
3 peaches
6 oz. frozen pink lemonade concentrate
6 oz. vodka
Put in blender, fill the rest of the way with ice. Damn that's good stuff.

2. the Matis smoothie (recently perfected)
1 cup frozen mixed berries
1 ripe banana
3 heaping tablespoons soy-yogurt (any fruit flavor will do, I like the Silk brand)
3/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup soy milk
Blend. mmmm smoothie.

http://morrismatis.blogspot.com

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#29

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Thu May 24, 2007 5:07 pm
Subject: Fw: step afrika!

j_matis

Offline

dear friends,

i've got a run of performances coming up next week with the incredible folks at Step Afrika!.

it's gonna be a great show. if you haven't seen the new theater at Atlas, it's quite spectacular.
see below for details & links to buy tickets.

hope you're doing well,
-jon

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Step Afrika! <stepafrika@...>
To: j_matis@...
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 10:02:16 AM
Subject: Last Chance to Get Tickets for the Home Performance Series

Sent by: Step Afrika!
Reply to the sender

Buy your tickets today!

Tickets are selling fast to our upcoming performances at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Have you purchased your tickets yet? To buy tickets you can visit our website or call (202) 399-7993.

In our biggest production of the year, Step Afrika! will join guest artists Sweet Honey in the Rock (Opening Night only!) and composer Jonathan Matis in a range of works that features nxt/step: Step Afrika!�s latest creation that merges stepping with video and electronic music. Described by the Washington Post as �a complex web of images and rhythms,� nxt/step is a futuristic exploration that �launches stepping into the 21st century.�

Tickets for students are $15.00 and $30.00 for adults. Groups of 15 or more save 15% on General Admission adult tickets.

How do I get to the Atlas?

So now you have your tickets to the Atlas and you are well on your way to having the time of your life with the most exciting dance company in DC�.but wait� HOW DO YOU GET TO THE ATLAS?

Don�t worry�there are plenty of ways to get to DC�s newest performance venue in the Atlas District. Here�s how to begin:

STEP 1: Look for the Atlas Marquee

It's big, it's blue, it has lights, and A-T-L-A-S in big bold letters...you can't miss it! Located at 1333 H St., NE, the Atlas has lots of street parking. And it�s only five minutes from downtown DC.

STEP 2: Take Metro

There are two different Metro Stations that are close to the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

Minnesota Avenue
Union Station

Go to www.wmata.com and use trip planner to help you find the best way to the Atlas using Metro.

STEP 3: The Atlas Shuttle- Friday/Saturday Night Special! On Friday and Saturday night, you can use a shuttle service that runs from the Union Station Metro to the Atlas. When you arrive at Union Station, call Hogan�s Shuttle Service at (301) 751-1802. The driver will tell you exactly where to wait and what time he will arrive. Although there is no charge for the shuttle, these courteous drivers do deserve a tip!

STEP 4: We can call you a taxi home...Taxicabs will be available after the performance to whisk you safely home. Just notify an usher at the Atlas that you will need a cab after the show and they will make the call for you.If you need additional information on how to get to the Atlas, please call the box office at (202) 399-7993.

To forward this e-mail to a friend or colleague, use this link.

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#28

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Thu May 10, 2007 4:17 pm
Subject: Joe Lally and Step Afrika (and me)

j_matis

Offline

dear friends,

wanted to let you know about some upcoming performances in DC.

you are invited.

1. Joe Lally - with DCIC as his band - at Jammin' Java, May 17th.
We played with him once already - see blog for details.
More info about the show:
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/167669/

2. I'm performing again with Step Afrika, May 30 - June 3 at Atlas. The opening night show also features Sweet Honey in the Rock. I will be upstaged in a big way ;-)
More info about the show:
http://www.stepafrika.org/031207/EVNT/EVNT-HPS.htm

-jon

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

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#27

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:44 pm
Subject: Fw: Performance this weekend!

j_matis

Offline

Dear friends,

i'm performing this weekend (see below for details) - it's a dance show. i'll be doing my duet "unmapped" with daniel burkholder (that's the piece we did for 24 hours during Fringe last summer, this time it will only be 7 minutes. much better).

And i'll be performing with Cameron (so that would be our group, Eigenvalues) providing the sound (spoken word / music / electronics) for a new dance work: "My ocean is never blue."

Friday's show is a benefit for Water for People.

See you there?
-jon

Improv Arts, inc presents
My ocean is never blue
Daniel Burkholder/The PlayGround

Order Now!

Tickets: $7-$20*

To order:
www.danceplace.org
or 202-269-1600

*Friday Fundraiser
Tickets: $20-25

Quick Links...

Improv Arts

Dance Place

The PlayGround @ Dance Place
See "My ocean is never blue" and other repertory
Exploring our personal, environmental and political relationships to water, Daniel Burkholder/The PlayGround presents the theatrical premiere of "My ocean is never blue" April 27-29, 2007 @ Dance Place. Featuring over 18 performers, live music and video projection, "My ocean is never blue" focuses on one of the most important issues facing the world today. Also on the program Director Daniel Burkholder will perform 3 duets: "unmapped" with musician Jonathan Matis, "together/apart (we go each our way)" with Stefanie Quinones Bass, and "Duet for 3" with his wife, Andrea Burkholder.

For more about "My ocean is never blue" access our ongoing blog about the creation and performance process at
http://improvarts.alkem.org

Daniel Burkholder/The PlayGround @ Dance Place
April 27*-29, 2007
Friday & Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 7pm
Tickets: $7-$20*

To order tickets go to www.danceplace.org
or call 202-269-1600

*Speical Fundraiser for Water for People
Friday, April 27 @ 8pm
Tickets: $20-$25
Water for People helps the most impoverished people worldwide improve their quality of life by supporting sustainable drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene projects.

Event Info
Dance Place
3225 8th Street NE
Washington, DC 20016
April 27-29, 2007
www.danceplace.org

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#26

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:41 am
Subject: DCIC and more - Matis around town in April

j_matis

Offline

Dear friends,

I have a batch of shows coming up... would love to see you if you're able to come on out.

1. this Tuesday (4/17): DCIC and Locksmith Isadore at Warehouse Next Door, 9pm, $7

2. this Thursday (4/19) - with The PlayGround at a special "works in progress" event sponsored by Washington Performing Arts Society. Click here for more info. at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 6pm, FREE

3. in two weeks - Sat/Sun April 28 &29, The PlayGround at Dance Place. We are premiering a new work, "My ocean is never blue" featuring music by me & text-sound composition by Eigenvalues (that would be Cameron and me). Fun!
Click here for tickets. Daniel and I are also revisiting our duo, "unmapped" that we performed last summer in the fringe festival for 24 hours. This time only 10 minutes, maybe less. A rare opportunity to see me in dance pants, and dancing.

see below for more info about the DCIC show on tuesday... it's gonna be a good one.

Thanks!
-Jon

Locksmith Isadore photo

Improv Arts, Inc. presents:

Trio Time

Who: Locksmith Isadore, DC Improvisers Collective
When: Tuesday, April 17, 2007, 9:00pm, $7
Where: Warehouse Next Door, 1017 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20001

Locksmith Isadore is an improvising trio, formed last year for a one-off performance at Tonic in New York City. Bass Clarinetist Jason Stein joined up with cellist Kevin Davis (both from Chicago) and drummer Mike Pride (from New York). The results convinced them to keep working as a trio.. and here we are. Bass Clarinet, Cello, Drums. Sounds like a jazz trio, no? Jason Stein is a young player who has quickly established himself in Chicago's fertile improv scene. He is a member of Ken Vandermark's "Bridge 61" and has played with many impressive people. Kevin Davis has a degree in composition, and merges his compositional skills with his interest in free improvisation. Mike Pride (drums) has a resume that reads like a who's who of New York City improvisers. If you really want to know, here's a partial list: Karen Borca, Tyondai Braxton, Anthony Braxton, Califone, Daniel Carter, Eugene Chadbourne, Andrew d'Angelo, Jim Denley, Ernesto Diaz-Infante, Trevor Dunn, Brandon Evans, Ken Filiano, Michael Formanek, Chris Forsyth, Marc Gartman, Milford Graves, Curtis Hasselbring, Mark Helias, Fred Hess, Vijay Iyer, Haino Keiji's FUSHITSUSHA, Briggan Krauss, Frank Lowe, Mat Maneri, punk-rock legends MDC (Millions Of Dead Cops), Tony Malaby, Sabir Mateen, Jackson Moore, Butch Morris, Darla recording artists Pale Horse & Rider and Aarktica, William Parker, Matana Roberts, Perry Robinson, Jamie Saft, Sonny Simmons, Chris Speed, Steve Swell, Cuong Vu, Matthew Welch, Nate Wooley, Jack Wright & Otomo Yoshihide.

The DC Improvisers Collective (DCIC) is a trio exploring the intersection of jazz, contemporary composition and experimental music. Their current lineup features Ben Azzara (drums), Jonathan Matis (guitar), and Mike Sebastian (reeds). These musicians come together from diverse backgrounds, bringing experience from performing in rock bands and jazz groups, as well as post-classical composition. With ears wide open, they craft intricate compositions on the fly. Although the common metaphor for group improvisation often seems to be conversation, this metaphor fails to capture the true real-time, simultaneous collaboration that fuels the work. Equal parts tightrope act and group meditation, the ensemble explores the fertile territory of surprise just beyond the boundary where words fail.

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

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#25

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:57 pm
Subject: Jonathan Matis, man about town

j_matis

Offline

Dear all,

just a quick reminder - this weekend, the DC area is chock full of Jon Matis shows:

Saturday, March 17: Eigenvalues (featuring the fabulous Cameron McPhee) will be performing at Sangha in Takoma Park, part of their "Audio Vortex" series. Also on the bill - Jack Wright's trio featuring Toshi Makihara (drums) and Evan Lipson (bass). Jack is a legendary free-improv sax player. Toshi is, well, indescribably fantastic, and Evan is quite a talent. He and I played together last spring during Sound Exchange in Philadelphia. They are going to blow the doors off the place. Our set will be good too. We'll be premiering two new pieces. One of them is about our dog.
[click here for more info]

Sunday, March 18: The debut performance by my new ensemble, The Low End String Quartet. We will rock you.
Like no other string quartet can rock you. We're opening for my friend, Chris Black, who is coming all the way from Austin, Texas. He plays a big ol' stand up bass and sings songs and he's really really good. It's going to be a grand night of low pitched string music. Check out Chris' myspace page and listen to his songs. They are totally cool and you will love it. You should round up all your friends and come out on Sunday night. Seriously. Chris Black is the sort of artist you hear and think, "how come I didn't know about him a long time ago? His music is awesome!" You want to hear him now, before he gets huge and can't play small venues like Warehouse Next Door. Follow the link below for complete details... show at 8:30, $8.
[click here for more info]

-Jon

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

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#24

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Tue Mar 6, 2007 11:22 pm
Subject: two upcoming shows - weekend doubleheader

j_matis

Offline

Dear all,

I've got two shows coming up next weekend, and they are both very special.

Saturday, March 17: Eigenvalues will be performing at Sangha in Takoma Park, part of ther "Audio Vortex" series.
[click here for more info]

Sunday, March 18: The debut performance by my new ensemble, The Low End String Quartet. We will rock you.
Like no other string quartet can rock you. We're opening for my friend, Chris Black, who is coming all the way from Austin, Texas. He plays bass and sings songs and he's really really good. It's going to be a grand night of low pitched string music.
[click here for more info]

If you feel inspired to share this information with your friends, and / or others that you think might be interested, that would be really swell. Also, if you have any comments about what independent artists (like me) should be doing to connect with and build their audiences, that's a conversation I'm looking to have. And I'm happy to have other conversations with you too. Anyway, keep warm. Spring will be here soon. I hope. I'm moving south as soon as I can figure out how to make the money work.

-Jon

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

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#23

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Tue Feb 6, 2007 10:26 pm
Subject: DCIC in-store at crooked beat, Feb 23

j_matis

Offline

Save the date...

Come experience DCIC and celebrate the release of our new CD, MEME + VARIATIONS - Live recordings from 2005-2006 part of Sachimay Records' "Interventions" series.

It's a full length album of DCIC's quartet lineup, recorded in various places such as rehearsals, live shows, and a radio broadcast.

It's only $5. You can read more (and order a copy) from our site or from Sachimay Records. Seriously, it's only $5. How cool is that?

RSVP for the in-store and "share" this event with your friends via upcoming.org...

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#22

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:15 pm
Subject: Feb. 1 - DCIC show

j_matis

Offline

dear friends,

The DC Improvisers Collective has a show coming up... details below.

in other news, my day-job with the American Composers Forum has been cut back to one day per week (lack of funding) -- so i'm looking for work. if you know anyone who could use a composer, sound designer, or recording engineer (say, for film, television, commercials, theater, dance, etc) i'd love to hear from you.

thanks - and hope to see you on feb. 1 for the show!
-jon

-----------
Cello close-up photo

Improv Arts, Inc. presents:

Stability is Overrated:
lowercase sounds from Boston, with unpredictable counterparts from DC

Who: Tim Feeney and Vic Rawlings, DC Improvisers Collective, and The Caution Curves
When: Thursday, February 1, 2007, 9:00pm, $7 (your best entertainment value)
Where: Warehouse Next Door, 1017 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20001

Tim Feeney and Vic Rawlings work within Boston's "lowercase" improvising community, a group of musicians interested in unstable sounds and silences, exploring austere combinations of sound and the otherworldly ripple effects that pulse through a silent space and alert ears.

Vic Rawlings (pictured above) performs using prepared/ amplified cello, and circuitry. He is active as an improviser and instrument builder. His performances focus on the metamusical potential of unstable sounds and silences. He has developed instruments that are specific to this compositional aesthetic. As an instrument builder he specializes in modifications of existing instruments and has developed extensive cello preparations. He also continually develops an electronic instrument from extant exposed circuitry, producing, in effect, a modular analog synthesizer with a highly unstable interface. This electronic instrument is paired with a flexible array of exposed speaker elements, chosen for their often unpredictable and idiosyncratic acoustic qualities.

He performs as a soloist and as a member of undr quartet, The BSC, and in duo and trio ensembles with Michael Bullock, Greg Kelley, Bhob Rainey, Sean Meehan, Jason Lescalleet, James Coleman, Liz Tonne, Tatsuya Nakatani, and Howard Stelzer, among others. Collaborators have included such diverse musicians as Eddie Prevost (AMM), Donald Miller (Borbetomagus), Daniel Carter (Other Dimensions in Music), Laurence Cook, Jaap Blonk, Masashi Harada, and Stephen Drury.

Tim Feeney seeks to explore and examine the timbral possibilites inherent in everyday found and built objects. He treats his percussion set-up as a friction instrument, using bows, scrapers, and rosined drumheads as implements and sympathetic resonators to capture and amplify frequencies that go unheard when an object is struck with a mallet. He supplements his acoustic console with an electronic instrument activated from a laptop or no-input mixer, which synthesizes and alters the spectral characteristics of sounds from pure sine tones to speaker pops and white noise.

As an improviser, Tim works with such Boston artists as thereminist James Coleman, and the trio ONDA, with whom he has performed at such experimental spaces as the Knitting Factory New York, The Red Room in Baltimore, Boston�s Zeitgeist Gallery, the new Firehouse 12 in New Haven, Connecticut, and Chicago�s 3030. With saxophonist Jack Wright, Tim appeared on the inaugural Counter Fit Festival in Rochester, New York, and participated in the August 2005 No Net workshop in Philadelphia.

As an interpreter, Tim has appeared at venues including the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and his work has been featured on WNYC Radio�s �New Sounds.� A member of Boston�s Callithumpian Consort, Tim has performed on the Musica Nova series at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany, and at New York�s club Tonic, as part of its 50th birthday celebration for John Zorn. As a founding member of the percussion quartet So, Tim appeared in concerts and masterclasses at Columbia University, Harvard University, and Williams College, as well as the 2001 Bang on a Can Marathon. He is a co-founder of the duo Non-Zero, with saxophonist Brian Sacawa, which in its inaugural season performed world premieres of seven new works.

"The Caution Curves hits the face like an unnervingly passionate kiss, intoxicating from both its immediate sensuality and the calm intensity that incites it. A trio of Rebecca Mills, Tristana Fiscella, and Amanda Huron, The Caution Curves sound like and ESG splintered into prismatic tribalism, hallucinatory vocal-chord urgency, and enigmatic guitar and electronic filigree. Theirs is an improv that explores the brain-morphing space of subtle textural conversations over creeping percussive patterns rather than the force of propulsive manic thrust, creating a roomy disorientation that is sensitive, visceral, and introspective: an organic sound both warmly and suspiciously inviting."
- Bret McCabe, The Baltimore City Paper, March 2006

http://morrismatis.blogspot.com

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

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#21

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:52 pm
Subject: Eigenvalues and Tatsuya Nakatani this friday

j_matis

Offline

dear friends,

cameron and i are performing this coming friday... early show (7:30pm), we'd love to see you there!
-jon

------------------
Improv Arts Inc. Presents:

Nakatani_photo

Tatsuya Nakatani (improvising percussionist)
and
Eigenvalues (Text/Sound performance duo)

Friday, December 15th, 7:30pm, $7
Warehouse Next Door
1021 7th Street NW
Washington D.C. 20001

Q: So you really expect me to come and listen to a forty minute drum solo?
A: Yes. Seriously. And you'll thank me for it afterwards.

Tatsuya Nakatani is a rare find: A percussionist with an extraoridnary ear for color in addition to rhythm; an improviser that performs with clear logic and economy of means. His music is abstract yet viscerally compelling.

Originally from Kobe and Osaka, Japan, internationally renowned percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani has toured extensively throughout the world, having performed in approximately 80 cities and 10 countries. Utilizing drumset, gongs, cymbals, singing bowls, metal objects, sticks and bows, he creates collages of sound, which combine the sense of space and beauty found in traditional Japanese folk music with the extended techniques of New Music, yet with great energy and intensity. Although his music defies category or genre, it can be viewed as a cross-cultural mixture of improvised music, experimental music, jazz, free jazz, and rock.

Using the sound of the spoken voice, instrumental accompaniment and electronic processing, Eigenvalues (Cameron McPhee and Jonathan Matis) compose and perform material that blurs the boundaries between music and literary art. Weaving together original and found text with composed and improvised music, Cameron and Jonathan's work is unique, artistically compelling and socially relevant.

Please note: this is an early show, performance begins at 7:30pm.

For more information, follow the links above or call 301.785.0884

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#20

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Tue Dec 5, 2006 7:49 pm
Subject: Matis update - and show tomorrow in DC

j_matis

Offline

hey everybody! sorry i haven't been in touch in a little while. i've had some really interesting shows this fall - hopefully soon i'll update my blog and tell you all about 'em. until then, here's some quick tidbits:

1. shows last month with Step Afrika! went really well. it was a big challenge for me, but i think it worked out nicely and i hope to continue working with them in '07. the music for their new piece combined rock and electronica elements. their step rhythms are really tricky and it kept me on my toes for sure. plus i had to play "composed" music so i had to worry about playing the right notes and stuff. i think i pulled it off. the piece also had some complicated video integration, so we all had lots of cues to remember (and hit at the right time). somehow it all worked even though the piece was still changing right up until the dress rehearsal. they're a wickedly talented bunch.

2. DCIC has a show coming up tomorrow night at the new & improved Warehouse Next Door. it's nicer than it was before, and the lineup is interesting. two acts from massachussets (i think they're both hampshire college students?) see below for the details and links to hear music by the opening acts. the show starts late - 10pm. if you're like me, that might be late for a weeknight... but come on out and hang with the night people. it will be fun, i'll even buy you a drink. at the low price of $7 it's your best entertainment value. we got together for rehearsal last weekend, and it's crazy how much the group's sound changes over time. we did more Rock and less Jazz than usual - and it was good. Plus one late night might be a good warm-up for all the holiday parties you have to go to this month. as Brian Williams, director of Step Afrika! might say, "It will be HOT."

here's details about the show. maybe see you tomorrow night?
-jon

Improv Arts, Inc. presents:
Soft Relativism and the Malaise of Modernity:
abstract electronics, fragile songs, and spontaneous jazz

Who:DC Improvisers Collective, Liz Isenberg, and Cassette Concret
When: Wednesday, December 6, 2006, 10:00pm, $7
Where: Warehouse Next Door, 1017 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20001

The DC Improvisers Collective (DCIC) is a trio exploring the intersection of jazz, contemporary composition and experimental music. Their current lineup features Ben Azzara (drums), Jonathan Matis (guitar), and Mike Sebastian (reeds). These musicians come together from diverse backgrounds, bringing experience from performing in rock bands and jazz groups, as well as post-classical composition. With ears wide open, they craft intricate compositions on the fly. Although the common metaphor for group improvisation often seems to be conversation, this metaphor fails to capture the true real-time, simultaneous collaboration that fuels the work. Equal parts tightrope act and group meditation, the ensemble explores the fertile territory of surprise just beyond the boundary where words fail. [and lately they are exploring the intersection of Doom Metal, Minimalism, and Mystical music from around the world. Q: What does that sound like? A: Hot.]

Liz Isenberg is a musician from Amherst, Massachusetts. She plays string bass, guitar, and works with electronic sound manipulation. She is currently touring as a solo artist, but is also a member of Fat Cat Records approved a.sweater (Sweater Weather). Of her work, Hampshire College Music Professor and Audio Culture (Continuum, 2005) editor Dan Warner writes "[Liz�s music] speaks beautifully in it�s own compositional voice�using minimal musical materials, but just the right amount of processing to enhance her delicate, compelling vocals." Alone or with her various bands she has played shows with several K Records related bands including Mount Eerie and Little Wings, as well as current Andrew Bird tour mates Head of Femur.

Cassette Concret is wacky electronic music.

http://morrismatis.blogspot.com

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#19

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Thu Nov 9, 2006 3:46 pm
Subject: Step Afrika! and me?! this weekend

j_matis

Offline

howdy folks. i haven't been in touch in a while... i've been in over my head with a big project: i'm writing and performing music for a new work by Step Afrika!

it's coming together nicely, which is good because the premiere performances are coming up this weekend. yipes.

the shows are nearly sold out - click here for the event page at Washington Performing Arts Society. it says to call the box office for "last minute availability." shows are saturday at 8pm and sunday at 4pm - at Dance Place.

maybe see you there?
-jon

#18

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Thu Oct 26, 2006 2:40 pm
Subject: Born Again Dada - performance this sunday (FREE)

j_matis

Offline

dear friends,

Cameron and I are performing again this weekend as Eigenvalues... part of an interesting mixed program at DCAC.
see you there?
-jon

-------------------
HERB'S CHOICE : BORN AGAIN DADA

AN EVENING OF LIVE PERFORMANCE + SPOKEN WORD + ANTI-ART

SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER 2006 : 7:30 PM : FREE

BLK w/ BEAR : audio relocation + broadcast interference : www.artbear.com
EIGENVALUES : text + sound : www.myspace.com/eigenvalues
JD SMITH : poetry : www.jdsmithwriter.com
DEE-RANGED : performance art : www.reddragonpress.com

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ARTS CENTER

2438 Eighteenth Street NW : Washington DC : USA

INFO + DIRECTIONS : www.dcartscenter.org

#17

From: "Jonathan Morris" <j_matis@...>
Date: Tue Oct 10, 2006 4:04 pm
Subject: DCIC with Golden Arm Trio - sunday

j_matis

Offline

Improv Arts, Inc. presents: Golden Arm Trio and DCIC

Who: Golden Arm Trio and DC Improvisers Collective
When: Sunday, October 15, 2006, 7:30pm, $10
Where: DCAC, 2438 18th Street NW, Washington DC 20009
Tickets: Virtuous.com

GOLDEN ARM TRIO is an Austin, Texas based band led by composer, bandleader, pianist and drummer Graham Reynolds. Graham and the group work constantly, in theater, dance, film, concert halls and nightclubs. THE BAND is a loose collective of which Graham is the only permanent member with some outstanding musicians as regularly featured additions. The band has toured throughout the United States and Europe and has released two critically acclaimed CD's, as well as the recent major motion picture soundtrack "A Scanner Darkly." RollingStone.com described the band as an Austin, Texas-based power-jazz merger of John Zorn's Naked City and the 1970s radical-prog band Henry Cow. Reynolds -- like Zorn, without the heavy weather -- freely charges into other realms as a composer-performer: string quartets, symphonies, soundtracks, improvised super-rock, crossbreeding classical futurism and punk esprit. FILM scores include five feature films, dozens of short films, animated shorts, and more than 20 silent films. Film collaborators have included Richard Linklater, Steve Collins and Luke Savisky. PERFORMANCE highlights include a live appearance on NPR's Talk of the Nation and a night at the Kennedy Center. The eclectic nature of the band has led to double bills ranging from Ken Vandermark to The Sea and the Cake to Merle Haggard guitarist Redd Volkeart. COMPOSITIONS by Graham Reynolds include four symphonies, two operas, a violin concerto, more than a dozen one movement string quartets, and countless chamber music pieces.

The DC Improvisers Collective (DCIC) is a trio exploring the intersection of jazz, contemporary composition and experimental music. Their current lineup features Ben Azzara (drums), Jonathan Matis (guitar), and Mike Sebastian (reeds). These musicians come together from diverse backgrounds, bringing experience from performing in rock bands and jazz groups, as well as post-classical composition. With ears wide open, they craft intricate compositions on the fly. Although the common metaphor for group improvisation often seems to be conversation, this metaphor fails to capture the true real-time, simultaneous collaboration that fuels the work. Equal parts tightrope act and group meditation, the ensemble explores the fertile territory of surprise just beyond the boundary where words fail.

Buy Tickets at Virtuous.com �

#16

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:06 pm
Subject: upcoming show - friday sept 29

j_matis

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Dear friends,

Wanted to let you know about this upcoming show... our first full-length performance as "Eigenvalues." The show is free, and the venue is nice. Make an evening of it. Old town Alexandria is awfully cute. Plenty of spots for dinner, drinks, etc.

Hope to see you there! More info about the show included below.
-jon

Eigenvalues' premiere performance

Friday, September 29, 2006
7:00pm, FREE
at The Lyceum in Alexandria, Virginia
201 S. Washington Street

The Alexandria Performing Arts Association's Lyceum Series presents

"Old Songs/ New Songs"
an evening of poetry and music

Two musical groups: "Old Songs," led by Mark Jickling and Chris Mason, is American roots music, taking guitar, banjo, and mandolin and setting to song their translations of archaic Greek poetry. Sing along to lines from the ancient Cynics! The New Songs part of the evening will be represented by "Eigenvalues", Cameron McPhee and Jonathan Matis, with contemporary spoken word accompanied by instruments and "text collage" embedded in live electronic processing.

free of charge
APAA phone number: 703-823-9563
www.alexperformingartsassociation.org

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#15

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Fri Aug 4, 2006 8:04 pm
Subject: Matis shows all over the place.

j_matis

Offline

dear friends,

i've got a few events coming up that i'd like to share with you... i'm doing a quick mini-tour with drummer, brian fending. we call it Fending/Matis. we have a new cd that we'll be releasing very soon.

Sunday, Aug 6: New York City: two shows...
8pm at ABC No Rio
11pm at CBGB's Gallery

Monday, Aug 7: Washington DC at The Red and The Black - with John Berndt.

Tuesday, Aug 8: Philadelphia at the Avant Gentlemen's Lodge - with The Flying Luttenbachers, Mary Halvorson & Jess Pavone, and Satanized.

For details about where, when, etc. - check our website or our myspace, or my upcoming.org.

also... DCIC is playing with Greg Osby tomorrow (Sat. Aug. 5) at the Warehouse Theater, 8:30, $12, benefit for Alkem.org. exciting times. (voice of isaac hayes) "cool music for these hot summer nights."

hope you can join us... if you know anyone else who might be interested please help us spread the word. thanks!!!!!!
-jon

#14

From: Jonathan Morris <j_matis@...>
Date: Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:36 pm
Subject: upcoming DCIC shows

j_matis

Offline

dear friends,

i'm happy to report that Daniel Burkholder and I survived - and completed - our 24 hour performance of "unmapped" last weekend, part of the Capital Fringe Festival.

no rest for the weary... lots of performing coming up!

1. DCIC will be opening for The Evens at Fort Ren o on monday, 7/31. show starts promptly at 7:15pm. it's free. the series at fort reno is a DC summertime tradition and it's loads of fun. bring a picnic. bring the dog. bring the kids. (bring some bug spray so you don't get bit up). easy to reach by metro (tenleytown). nice blurb in today's Post in the "Nightlife Agenda." click here to see what they had to say...

2. holy crap! DCIC will be playing with saxophone heavyweight Greg Osby - he'll be sitting in with us on a double bill with Joe Lally. this is a strange dream i think... Joe Lally (of fugazi) is opening for us? Greg Osby is playing with us? pinch me... the show is a benefit for Alkem - the kind folks who host our website for free - and many other DC arts-related sites. Saturday, August 5, 8:30pm at the Warehouse Theater (on the main stage). $12

so to recap, that's monday 7/31 at fort reno, saturday 8/5 at Warehouse Theater...

but that's not all!!! my duo project with drummer Brian Fending is also busy. we're releasing a new CD on the Sockets-CDR label and doing a little tour.

Fending-Matis duo, East Coast mini-tour:
8/6 - New York City
8/7 - Pittsburgh
8/8 - Philadelphia
for the itinerary and show details, click here.

hoping to add a DC show on August 9... will let you know how that works out...
before we hit the road, cameron and i are going to handpaint 100 cd cases - the new Fending-Matis disc is being released in a limited edition of 100 and it's just the coolest. you'll see! we recorded it last summer in minneapolis and derek morton at kavekavity mastered it -- sounds good, i promise!

hope you're enjoying the summer,
-jon

http://morrismatis.blogspot.com

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

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