The Squid's Ear Magazine


Merce, Sergio: Microtonal Saxophone (Potlatch)

Using an alto saxophone where the original mechanisms have been replaced with water, gas & compressed air taps, saxophonist Sergio Merce can microtonally move the tuning of any note and create multiphonics, allowing him to play several sonic layers while using circular breathing.
 

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Sergio Merce-saxophone


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UPC: 3491570002223

Label: Potlatch
Catalog ID: P114
Squidco Product Code: 18741

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2014
Country: France
Packaging: Cardstock gatefold foldover
Recorded Between July and August 2013 in Merlo, Buenos Aires.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Argentinian saxophonist Sergio Merce works on projects involving interactions between free improvisation and contemporary music. He made several european tours with Axel Dörner, Andrea Neumann, Burkhard Beins, Julia Eckhardt, Boris Baltschun, Serge Baghdassarians, Jason Kahn, Lucio Capece, Alan Curtis, Toshimaru Nakamura, Keith Rowe, Christof Kurzmann...

During the last three years, Sergio Merce transformed his alto saxophone in a tremendous and radical way. "I have been working on a "microtonal saxophone", which is an alto saxophone without the original mechanisms and keys that I replaced with water, gas and compressed air taps. I can move the tuning of any note, and play microtones, multiphonics. A sustain pedal allows me to maintain the sounds and create several sonic layers while using circular breathing.""-Sergio Merce


Artist Biographies

"Sergio Merce plays tenor saxophone and four tracks portastudio without tapes, he was born in 1973. He works in projects that involve the interaction between free improvisation and contemporary music. He studied classic saxophone for 9 years in the official conservatory of Moron "Alberto Ginastera", improvisation inside jazz style with Sergio Petravich and with Carlos Lastra, paying especial attention to John Coltrane's techniques and spirit. He works as a music teacher in kindergardens since 1998. He has realized concerts and improvisation work shops for children in Argentina and many countries in Europe. In rcent years he developed his work around extended techniques on the saxophone, and in the same way developed his electronic music. In May 2002 he made an European tour with Lucio Capece, playing as a duo as well as with European musicians in Brussels (Les Bains Connective), Amsterdam (Overtom 301, ciclo "Kraakgeluiden"), London (Red Rose), Berlin (The Kule "Labor Sonor"), Sczecin (Poland, "Musica Genera" Festival). In September 2003 he made a tour around Belgium, France and Holland, playing five concerts based on the famous Cornelius Cardews piece "Treatise", next to the prestigious English guitar player Keith Rowe and his electro-acoustic ensemble. He had played next to some of the more important musicians of the international vanguard scene: Axel Dörner (Germany), Andrea Neumann (Germany), Burkhard Beins (Germany), Julia Eckhardt (Germany / Belgium), Alex Waterman (USA), Robyn Schulkowsky (USA), Bob Rainey (USA), Wade Matthews (USA), Boris Baltschun (Germany), Serge Baghdassarians (Germany), Kyle Bruckmann (USA), Robin Hayward (England)."

-http://www.echoraum.at/merce.htm (Echoraum)
3/13/2024

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


Track Listing:



1. I 14:16

2. II 6:12

3. III 10:33

4. IV 9:43

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
European Improv, Free Jazz & Related
lowercase, micro-improv, sound improv
Recordings by or featuring Reed & Wind Players
Solo Artist Recordings
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Search for other titles on the label:
Potlatch.


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