Feb. 10 – 17, 2018
The Seattle Improvised Music Festival (SIMF) is the longest-running festival in the US dedicated solely to music that is completely improvised. This is truly “music of the moment,” allowing artists from diverse musical backgrounds to meet in an atmosphere of spontaneity, intuition, playfulness, and discovery.
This year’s visiting improvisers – saxophonist Logan Hone (Los Angeles), bassist Evan Lipson (Chattanooga), cellist Tomeka Reid (Chicago/NYC), flutist Jane Rigler (Colorado Springs), bassist Carmen Rothwell (NYC), guitarist Davey Williams (Birmingham), saxophonist Jack Wright (Philadelphia) – will perform in curated groupings with a diverse selection of local performers representing several generations and a wide range of musical activity. Most of these artists are playing SIMF for the first time, and most have never played together previously.
In recent years, SIMF has taken place over three nights at the Good Shepherd Center Chapel. With financial support from 4Culture, the 2018 festival expands to multiple venues across the city over eight days.
2018 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
(all events subject to change)
Sat. 2/10, 8 PM, Gallery 1412
1412 18th Ave. (Capitol Hill)
Solo / Duo: Lisa Cay Miller (piano) & Bonnie Whiting (percussion)
Duo: Mike Gebhhart & Melanie Sehman (percussion)
Sun. 2/11, 5 PM, Couth Buzzard Books
8310 Greenwood Ave. N (Greenwood)
Duo: Jack Wright (alto sax) & Evan Lipson (bass) + Jack reads from his new book, The Free Musics.
Sun. 2/11, 8 PM, Hollow Earth Radio
2018-A E. Union St. (Central District)
Duo: Jack Wright (alto sax) & Evan Lipson (bass) lead the Racer Sessions; + open session, improvisers at all levels of experience are invited to participate.
Mon. 2/12, 8 PM, The Royal Room
5000 Rainier Ave. S (Columbia City)
$12 advance, $15 day of show, $8 students with ID at the door
Groupings TBD: Tom Baker (guitar), Amelia Coulter (trombone), Evan Flory-Barnes (bass), Katie Levine (piano), Evan Lipson (bass), John Neicrasz (drums), Jack Wright (alto sax)
Tue. 2/13, 8 PM, Spite House
1513 14th Ave. N (Capitol Hill) – Due to limited seating, advance tickets are required for this show!
Solo: Stephen Fandrich (piano)
Duo: Ha-Yang Kim (cello), Eveline Müller (percussion)
Duo: Clifford Dunn (flute), Cristin Miller (voice, electronics)
Wed. 2/14, 8 PM at Vermillion
1508 11th Ave. (Capitol Hill)
Hosted by Table & Chairs Music
Groupings TBD: Logan Hone (sax), Monika Khot (guitar, etc.), Eric Muhs (stuff), Eveline Müller (percussion), Carmen Rothwell (bass)
Thu. 2/15, 8 PM, PONCHO Hall / Cornish
710 E. Roy St. (Capitol Hill)
$15 general, $10 senior, $5 Cornish students/faculty/staff/alumni
Hosted by Cornish Presents
Groupings TBD: Amelia Coulter (trombone), Ruby Dunphy (drums), Stephen Fandrich (piano), Evan Flory-Barnes (bass), Logan Hone (sax), Ha-Yang Kim (cello), Katie Levine (piano), Carmen Rothwell (bass), Tomeka Reid (cello), Paul Rucker (cello), Alia Swersky (dance) + Cornish student musicians and dancers (TBA). Tomeka Reid appears thanks to support from Washington State Arts Commission; WESTAF, The Western States Art Federation; and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Fri. 2/16, 8 PM, Good Shepherd Center Chapel
4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, 4th Floor (Wallingford)
Duo: Monika Khot (guitar), Tom Baker (guitar)
Quartet: Clifford Dunn (flute), Cristin Miller (voice, electronics), Tomeka Reid (cello), Jane Rigler (flute)
Solo + ?: Davey Williams (guitar)
Sat. 2/17, 3-5 PM, Good Shepherd Center Chapel
Improvised music/dance performance curated by Corrie Befort. Dancers: Corrie Befort, Allison Burke, Noelle Chun, Nahshon Marden, Karen Nelson, Amelia Reeber, Brandin Steffensen, Alia Swersky, Hendri Walujo, Syniva Whitney. Musicians: Tom Baker (guitar +), Ruby Dunphy (percussion), James Falzone (clarinet), Haley Freedlund (trombone), Greg Kelley (trumpets), Ha-Yang Kim (cello), Dave Knott (sound), Cristin Miller (voice +), Steve Peters (field recordings).
Sat. 2/17, 5:30 PM, Good Shepherd Center Chapel
Community potluck dinner for musicians and audience. Bring food, hang out!
Sat. 2/17, 8 PM, Good Shepherd Center Chapel
Duo: Eric Muhs (stuff), Davey Williams (guitar)
Trio: Ruby Dunphy (drums), Stephen Fandrich (piano), Paul Rucker (cello)
Solo + ?: Jane Rigler (flute)
