New music concert series Slow Rise Music will kick off their season with Collide-o-Scope, a show of all new works as performed by the people who wrote them. Slow Rise commissioned a group of Toronto composers to write new music for the program, and that list includes artists who work in genres outside the realm of classical music.
The genre-bending show will showcase a total of six works, and takes place on September 27 and 28 at the Tranzac Club, where Slow Rise hosted Here Be Sirens in late 2023.
“Like Here Be Sirens and our recent multimedia show Where the Eye Meets the Ear, Collide-o-Scope is a little complex to stage, so we’re thrilled to trust the Tranzac with making it happen,” said Slow Rise founder McKenzie Warriner.
The Details
A look at the list of composers is an indication of the diverse genres. The works that will be performed have come together via pre-compositional workshopping, in contrast to the usual protocol for Western classical music.
The project brings together an unusual sextet; they’ve been collaborating for nearly a year, each offering a unique contribution to Collide-o-Scopee. Composer/performers include:
- Electro-pop singer and producer Samantha Selci: The Canadian producer, musician and recording artist has worked as both performer and technician in the classical and contemporary music fields, including voice, audio production, and more. As Selci, she has toured Canada multiple times, and produced several albums and music videos.
- Funk saxophonist and tape-loop artist Greg Bruce: The saxophonist, technologist, improviser and composer earned his DMA from the University of Toronto, where he designed a microphone-augmented saxophone. He performs with a variety of ensembles.
- Multidisciplinary electric guitarist Andrew Noseworthy: The multidisciplinary artist’s music practice includes working with hardcore and experimental rock bands; commissioning and premiering new works for the electric guitar; music for dance and experimental film; pop music production and audio engineering. He holds degrees from Western University (PhD), NYU Steinhardt (MM), and Memorial University (Bmus, honours).
- Jazz pianist and ethnomusicologist Keisha Bell: Jamaican-born, Toronto-based pianist, the composer, and arranger is pursuing a Ph.D. in jazz studies at York University, and performs occasionally. She released her debut album in 2022 titled Caribbean Yellow, based on the writing of Jamaican poet and novelist Olive Senior.
- Prog rock bassist Tristan Zaba: The Toronto-based composer, vocalist, production worker, musicologist, and interdisciplinary artist has won a SOCAN Foundation Young Composers Award. His works have been performed internationally. Currently working towards a PhD in Musicology at York University, he also sings as a bass section lead with the Toronto Amadeus Choir.
- Metal/improv drummer Nolan Hildebrand: The composer, improviser, researcher, and noise artist uses noise to explore and create engaging music. His compositions include music for classical ensembles as well as electroacoustic pieces. He is currently pursuing a DMA at the University of Toronto.
The general theme running through all the compositions is one of collision, and each approach it from a different angle. Tristan Zaba’s work, for example, features fight choreography synchronized to music. Keisha Bell’s piece takes its inspiration from the Furies of Greek mythology, and features vocal effects and original poetry.
Along with both a matinee and evening showing, Slow Rise is offering a pay-what-you-can livestream option in the hopes of making the performance accessible to anyone.
Slow Rise / Happenstancers Deal
The Happenstancers and Slow Rise Music are offering a discounted Toronto New Music Weekend Pass, encouraging adventurous audiences to experience bold curation and wild performances, in a weekend full of unexpected art music.
The pass, available at each of the organizations’ ticketing platforms for $40.00, allows for entry to BROKEN and either of the performances of Collide-o-Scope.
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