![Improvising & Experimental Music of Ottawa and Outwards. [2010 to 2023]](https://www.improvisedmoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMOOLogoHighQuality-e1662557657744.png)
Spark Beer
Sunday October 29
Music at 8 PM
Suggested donation $20 or PWYC/NOTAFLOF
Thresher is an experimental trio from Owen Sound, Ontario. Leaning heavily on the dark art of improvisation and free jazz via found sound, field recordings, tape loops, and various instruments of sonic interest, Thresher concocts a blender half full of sublinear anti-rhythms and a murky lookingglass of contemporary environment tones. Sounds of the common denominator.
Thresher formed in the late months of 2021, after several years of collaboration and attempts to get a footing during the pandemic. 2022 proved to be a fruitful year for the band in terms of shows, events and album releases. Thresher released a self-titled album in April of 2022 via Ownsound Recordings (micro-label currently operated by Kevin Griffin and Russ Walsh) on cassette, followed by an EP of material also released to cassette in November of 2022. On the heels of playing several shows and festivals throughout 2022, with highlights being the Electric Eclectics festival in Meaford ON (as well as a pre-cursor festival event), Thresher released their most recent full length cassette Homunculus in April 2023, and they have been playing behind this material for the past months.
“…it has a great tripped out vibe that is equal parts psych and noise rock. Certain passages make me think of my favourite moments of live Grateful Dead tapes from 1968, where everything starts to crack up near the end of extended jams. Edited down from two dozen sessions, the meaty quiver to Thresher’s sound truly makes me wish I still drank acid-laced apple wine.” Byron Coley, Size Matters (Wire Magazine, June 2023)
Dan Pitt is a guitarist, composer, educator and improviser who has been a part of Toronto’s jazz and improvised music scene for the past several years. He has studied with notable musicians such as Geoff Young, Dave Restivo, Ben Monder, Brad Shepik and Michael Formanek. Aside from managing a solo, trio and quintet project, Dan has played guitar in a variety of bands with musicians such as Dave Young, Pat Collins, David Braid, Terry Clarke, Terry Promane, Tim Berne and Michael Attias. He has also worked and recorded with Harrison Vetro, Lina Allemano, Nick Fraser and Andrew Downing.
Dan released four albums as a bandleader. His trio album, “Fundamentally Flawed” was regarded as “atmospheric with guts…” (AllAboutJazz) and “ A solid debut from a compelling band.” (WholeNote). Dan also released a solo guitar album in 2020 entitled Monochrome which also received review as “an album that is adventurous and needs to be explored.” (JazzMusicBlog). His latest release is a quintet album entitled “Wrongs”.
Dan and his trio come through Ottawa to present and celebrate their latest release entitled “Stages” while touring through Ontario and Quebec.
“Pitt is an interesting composer whose work we want to keep an eye on. This set, by turns delicate and vigorous, hangs together nicely and cohesively, demonstrating the contemporary art of this trio.” – JazzTrail