Flutist Leah Paul presents two engaging compositions in multiple movements, performed with a chamber ensemble of Chris Speed (reeds), Rob Jost (french horn), Sara Schoenbeck (bassoon), Peter Sachon (cello), Tanya Kalmanovitch (viola), Ben Kono (oboe) and Michel Gentile (flute).
"This is proudly proclaimed to be composed music, though many of the players, including Paul herself (who has played with Anthony Braxton), are associated with the free improvisation/jazz scene(s), clarinetist Chris Speed and bassoonist Sara Schoenbeck being the best known. There are two pieces, the two-movement "Steps to Stairs", which opens the album, and "California Quintet", in six movements. The music is entirely tonal, perhaps a bit influenced by Minimalism in its gestures, but not in its structures: it develops more quickly and switches moods more often. The contrasting timbres of strings and woodwinds-the latter dominating-are handled adeptly and do a lot to keep the music sparkling and attractive."-The Big Takeover
Leah Paul is a composer/ multi-instrumentalist who plays regularly with Blarvuster, Anthony Braxton, and has guested with rock bands and new music ensembles through New York City and Los Angeles. Leah has her own ensemble of dynamic musicians that regularly perform her genre-bending chamber music.