The Squid's Ear Magazine


Grdina's Box Cutter: New Rules for Noise (Spool)

Guitarist Grdina's Box Cutter with Francoise Houle on clarinet mix acoustic and electric lines in tunes with melodic momentum that take plenty of pauses for free sections.
 

Price: $12.95


Quantity:

Out of Stock

Quantity in Basket: None

Log In to use our Wish List
Shipping Weight: 5.00 units

Sample The Album:





product information:

Personnel:



Gordon Grdina-guitar

Francois Houle-clarinets

Karlis Silins-bass

Kenton Loewen-drums


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




UPC: 778224240624

Label: Spool
Catalog ID: SPL129
Squidco Product Code: 12700

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2007
Country: Canada
Packaging: Jewel Tray
Recorded by Sheldon Zaharko at the Factory, Mixed by John Raham at Ogre Studios. Mastered by Dylan van der Schyff.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Box Cutter cuts through stylistic boundaries. The players weave in and out of free-form improvisations, grooves, and lyrical melodic statements with equal enjoyment. The band leaves no stone unturned, making use of every possibility that presents itself. This is a band that loves to improvise. It will make music out of anything: the sound of wind, a chime, a feel, a phrase, a tune... Box Cutter feels equally at home making music out of pure sound and texture as making a soulful melody sing."-Spool


Artist Biographies

"Gordon Grdina (born 18 February 1977 ) is a Canadian jazz guitarist and oud player.

Grdina worked in the 2000s in Vancouver with his own formations; In 2002 he recorded his debut album The Grdina Trio (with James Danderfer and Simon Fisk). On his album Unlearn: Gordon Grdina's Box Cutter was also co-produced by Fran¨ois Houle. In 2006, Grdina presented the album Think Like the Waves in the trio with Gary Peacock and Paul Motian, which combined elements of Arab music and jazz genres. In the field of jazz, he was involved in 14 recording sessions between 2001 and 2012.

Grdina works with his own trio (from Tommy Babin, bass, and Kenton Loewen, drums) as well as his ten-piece Haram ensemble, Mats Gustafsson, Tony Malaby, Mark Helias, Kent Kessler and Jeb Bishop. "

-Wikipedia (translated by Google) (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Grdina)
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Francois Houle (born August 17, 1961, Lachine): "I am a Canadian clarinetist who embraces pretty much any music where the clarinet is present, or has a bit of profile or history. Although I am classically trained, I have not followed the traditional career path associated with the kind of classical training I came out of.

I studied at McGill University with Emilio Iacurto (the legendary, long-time principal clarinetist of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra) and at Yale University with Keith Wilson (whose contribution to the clarinet world is unparalleled). I've had the privilege of participating in masterclasses with some of the world's finest clarinet players, including David Shifrin, Richard Stoltzman and Alan Hacker.

It was Alan Hacker who actually opened the door for me to explore new technical and musical possibilities on the clarinet. Having been part of Fires of London and a close collaborator with composers such as Peter Maxwell-Davies, Alan's insatiable curiosity and deep scholarship inspired me to look for my own personal approach. Following a brief visit to his home in the UK in the late 80's I spent some time in Paris practicing and researching clarinet new music repertoire. At that time I still didn't know what I was going to do with my life, except that I had a deep desire to "make it" in the music scene. It was during this period that I discovered the music of Steve Lacy.

Steve Lacy's career actually began as a dixieland clarinetist, eventually shifting to the soprano saxophone, an instrument very few jazz musicians had investigated since the great Sydney Bechet due to its range, smaller embouchure and faulty intonation. Steve dedicated his life to bringing this instrument at the forefront of creative music (legend has it that he turned John Coltrane on to the soprano's expressive qualities).

At the time I had one occasion of hearing him play live at the New Morning jazz club, and bought a newly released duo recording called "Paris Blues" (Owl Records, 1987) with the great Gil Evans on piano. Heading back to Canada, that was the only music I could listen to for quite a while, being transfixed by Lacy's and Evan's telepathic playing. It was the first time that I had found a jazz performance that rivalled with the finest chamber music making I was then more familiar with. It was a game changer as far as I was concerned. It opened the door for further exploration and discoveries; Anthony Braxton, John Carter, Jimmy Giuffre, all important figures in the development of creative music on the clarinet. It is interesting and deplorable to note that not once were these names ever mentioned in all my years of university clarinet seminars and lessons. It was only a few years later that he agreed to meet with me for one on one lessons at his Paris apartment. His main advice to me was to stick with the clarinet, and forge ahead with my musical thoughts and ideas, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be.

After a stint at the Banff Centre, where I worked on my technique and practiced improvisation (the centre has a great library with an extensive jazz and creative music collection), I relocated to Vancouver in the winter of 1989, where I began playing on the creative music scene and met many musicians who eventually became fantastic collaborators; Claude Ranger, Roger Baird, Tony Wilson, amongst many others. At the time, the New Orchestra Workshop Society was approaching its golden years, with the founding of the legendary Glass Slipper, the "go to" venue for creative music on the West Coast. The Vancouver Jazz Festival was well on its way to establishing itself as one of the most innovative international music happening, not only programming some of the biggest names in the business, such as Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis, but also the most creative musicians on the planet; Cecil Taylor, Evan Parker, John Zorn, Dave Douglas, Anthony Braxton, William Parker, and a whole sleuth of European 1st generation of improvisors such as Misha Mengelberg, Han Benning, ICP, AMM, and the Italian Instabile Orchestra. It was at the 1992 Jazz Festival that I had my first high profile gig, my first band "Et Cetera" sharing the bill with the Steve Lacy Sextet!

As I was making my first steps in the improvised community, I also became involved with the contemporary music scene, collaborating with composers such as John Oliver and Paul Dolden, as well as freelancing with established organizations; Vancouver New Music, Vancouver Pro Musica. In 1992 I became a founding member of the Standing Wave ensemble. My activities in both creative music and new music allowed me to forge a strong profile, eventually expanding to collaborations with international musicians, and getting international touring opportunities. Some long standing collaborations were forged during that fruitful period, with luminaries such as Benoît Delbecq and Joëlle Léandre among others.

I have since been constantly involved in the advancement of creative music, pursuing collaborative projects with composers and musicians of all persuasions. My work continues to test the boundaries, looking for new vistas and connections with listeners everywhere."

-Francois Houle Website (https://www.francoishoule.ca/about)
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Canadian drummer Kenton Loewen is a member of The Crackling, Gordon Grdina Trio, Gordon Grdina's Box Cutter, The Coat Cooke Trio, Dan Mangan and Blacksmith, and the Egyptian fusion orchestra Haram.

-Squidco 3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Peripheral Ghosts 7:38

2. Burning Bright 4:00

3. Junk Drawer 7:07

4. Yellow Spot Into The Sun 6:52

5. The Good News 3:05

6. Nayeli Joon 6:36

7. Mig Ban, Get Down! 2:42

8. Weeble Wobble 3:40

9. The Bad News 3:34

10. Plan Of Attack 3:07

11. W.W.T.W.D. 4:17

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Vancouver and Western Canada
Quartet Recordings
Canadian Composition & Improvisation

Search for other titles on the label:
Spool.


Recommended & Related Releases:
Other Recommended Releases:
Shipp, Matthew / Mark Helias / Gordon Grdina
Skin and Bones
(Not Two)
Recording two days after their concert in British Columbia, BC at Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art's Skin And Bones Music Series, the trio of pianist Matthew Shipp, guitarist Gordon Grdina and bassist Mark Helias captured these collective improvisations at Afterlife Studios in Vancouver BC, titling their album after their well-received concert.
DK & The Perfectly Ordinary
CAR DEW TREAT US
(Spool)
A diverse set of artist interpret a random page from Cornelius Cardew's "Treatise", using the score alone with each artist unable to hear what the other participants were playing, which Spool label-leader Daniel Kernohan assembled into these 10 incredible audio tracks, each roughly 4:35 long, in a great interpretation of Cardew's (in)famous work.
Peregrine Falls (Grdina / Loewen)
Peregrine Falls
(Drip Audio)
Named for the moment when a Peregrine Falcon falls from flight to attack its prey, the Vancouver duo of Gordon Grdina on guitars, oud, electronics and Kenton Loewen on drums and percussion present a heavy album of improvised rock with raw energy, riveting technique and powerful grooves with an Arabic influence and essence; of interest to King Crimson fans.
Houle, Francois Trio
Schizosphere
(Red Toucan)
An early album from Vancouver clarinetist Francois Houle with frequent collaborators Tony Wilson (guitar) and Dylan van der Schyff (drums & percussion), performing original compositions and a unique version of Duke Ellington's "Frustration."



Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought:
Davis, Matt / Phil Durrant / Mark Wastell
Confront Collectors Series
(Confront)
Re-issue of one of the earliest Confront releases, the trio of trumpeter Matt Davis, violinist Phil Durrant and cellist Mark Wastell performing subtle and sophisticated free improvisation at St. Michael's and All Angels church, Chiswick, London in 2000.
Liebig / Vatcher / Golia
On The Cusp Of Fire And Water
(Red Toucan)
The West Coast trio of Michael Vatcher on drums & percussion, Steuart Liebig on electric bass, and Vinny Golia on reeds and winds recording live in Los Angeles, 2001, astonishing free improvisation from three seasoned players.
Euphorium_freakestra
Free Electric Supergroup [2 CDs]
(Euphorium)
Since 2002 this large ensemble electric supergroup or "freakestra" has performed uncompromising free improvisation that draws on the best of modern approaches in a staggering display of style and technique.
Babin's, Tommy Benzene
Your Body Is Your Prison
(Drip Audio)
Bassist Babin's Benzene band mixes free improvisation with rock overtones, tight changes giving way to excellent solos from all members of this exceptional quartet.
Jennings / Cage / Tilbury / Lexer
Lost Daylight
(Another Timbre)
Pianist John Tilbury is captured with remarkable clarity by Sebastian Lexer as he performs works by composers Terry Jennings and John Cage (with Lexer on electronics); superb performances!
Dijkstra, Jorrit
Pillow Circles
(Clean Feed)
Saxophonist Dijkstra in compositions commissioned from the North Sea Jazz Festival 2009, 9 works written for Henry Threadgill, George Lewis, Fred Frith, &c.
Knuffke, Kirk Trio
Amnesia Brown
(Clean Feed)
Trumpeter Kirk Knuffke in a NY trio with clarinetist Doug Wieselman and drummer Kenny Wollesen, all part of Butch Morris' Nublu Orchestra and frequent Zorn collaborators.
Miguel, Sei
Esfingico - Suite for a Jazz Combo
(Clean Feed)
A four part suite bridging compositional and improvisational music from Portugese pocket trumpeter Sei Miguel in a quintet including Rafael Toral on modulated electronics.
Fields, Scott Ensemble
Fugu
(Clean Feed)
Originally released in 1995 on Field's own Geode label, these compositions for choreographer Li Chiao-Ping use complex rhythms and tonalities in a serial pitch "system of circles".
Nozen (Nisenson / Tanguay / Falaise / Mailloux)
Live au Upstairs
(Malasartes)
Nozen is a crossroads of contemporary jazz, musique actuelle and the musical traditions of Jewish Eastern Europe, contrasting styles giving birth to a deep and spontaneous music.
Klaxon Gueule
Infininiment
(Ambiances Magnetiques)
Improvisers Michel Cote, Bernard Falaise & Alexandre St-Onge return to Ambiances Magnetiques in an album of dark acoustic improvisations, with guests Jean Derome, Philippe Lauzier & Gordon Allen.
Doneda, Michael
Anatomie des clefs
(Potlatch)
Michel Doneda continues to extend the sonic capabilities of the soprano sax and, in the process, confirms his position as one of the most important and exciting performers of improvised music.
Kahn, Jason
Timelines Los Angeles
(Creative Sources)
Jason Kahn brought Olivia Block, Mark Trayle, and Ulrich Krieger together to create this work for the 2008 Cal Arts Center for Experiments in Art, Information and Technology Festival.
Sealed Knot, The (Beins / Davies / Wastell)
and we disappear
(Another Timbre)
For a decade this trio has created some of the most interesting electroacoustic improvisation, captured in a 38 minute performance at the Ear We Are Festival in Biel, Switzerland, 2007.
Anandan, Ganesh / Hans Reichel
Self Made
(Ambiances Jazz)
The acclaimed daxophonist Hans Reichel meets shruti stick and metallophone inventor Ganesh Anandan for these expressive and unconventional dialogs.
McLean, Colin & Andy Moor
Everything But the Beginning
(Unsounds)
The 1st release from Andy Moor & Colin McLean since they disbanded Dog Faced Hermans 13 years ago, 3 years of live improvisations from Amsterdam's OT 301's Music Dance 301 sessions.
Auclair, Melanie
Decor sonore
(Ambiances Magnetiques)
A series of 20 short tracks by cellist Melanie Auclair that combine music with ambient sound with players such as Lori Freedman, Antoine Berthiaume, Luc Sicard, etc.
Fujii Orchestra, Satoko
South Wind
(Libra)
Satoko Fujii Orchestra in original compositions, an amazing lineup of mostly New York players including Steven Bersteain, Herb Robertson, Briggan Krause, etc.
Erosonic
Mystery Theatre
(Les Disques Victo)



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

© 2002-, Squidco LLC