Jonathan Rowden Concert Film Release
"What is WYR? A simple google search might show a description of mythical shapeshifting creature, or maybe a viral internet hashtag (would you rather) for choosing your favorite summer film. It is also an acronym for the last names of saxophonist Jonathan Rowden and drummer-percussionists Chris Wabich and James Yoshizawa. Together they form the core of WYR, a fully-improvised trio (saxophones + electronics, double-drums/percussion) often described by listeners as an "electroacoustic ensemble". And the descriptor is fitting. With TERRANIGMA, WYR is joined by vocalist Joanna Wallfisch (Sunnyside Records) and vocalist/pianist Areni Agbabian (also the lead-singer of pianist Tigran Hamasyan's band) for a full-length concert film debut that straddles, blurs and even crushes the lines between world-music, electronic-ambient, percussion-ensemble, and jazz genres. You'll likely hear even more. And that's the beauty of TERRANIGMA - in it WYR has something for everyone with its experimental yet extremely melodic conception, passionate prose, hard-grooves and exhilarating blending of electronic and acoustic sounds (just wait until Rowden electronically loops the entire band into one epic sonic skyway leading to it's cathartic conclusion). TERRANIGMA is breaking new ground with music and how it is released to the public with this hour-long improvised performance, free-to-watch and available everywhere."
Credits:
Released January 8th, 2016
Recorded on September 15th, 2015 at Blue Whale in Downtown Los Angeles, CA.
Jonathan Rowden - tenor and soprano saxophones, electronic effects and sampling
Areni Agbabian - prepared piano and voice
Joanna Wallfisch - voice and electronic effects
Chris Wabich - drums, percussion and Fender Rhodes (88)
James Yoshizawa - drums and percussion
All music conceived by WYR collective
Special Thanks + Shoutouts to AEA Ribbon Mics (ribbonmics.com), Da'ddario Winds & Conn-Selmer USA
©Jonathan Rowden Music, 2016. All rights reserved.
Twitter: @JonRowdenMusic
Instagram: @JonathanRowden
Facebook: facebook.com/jonathanrowdenmusic