Thursday March 16, 2023 | 8:30 pm | $5 – $15
Susan Alcorn & Wombat (Justin K. Comer – Carlos Cotallo Solares – Will Yager)
Wombat is an improvising trio that combines deep sonic exploration through experimental playing techniques, live signal processing, and instrumental preparations with a real-time compositional approach, creating engaging structural shapes and contrasting sections. The relationships between the three of us are in constant flux: merging into a single sonic entity, building contrapuntal textures, or letting one performer lead the trio as a soloist. Improvisers Justin K. Comer (saxophones), Carlos Cotallo Solares (guitar/electronics), and Will Yager (double bass) formed Wombat in October 2017. Together they explore new sonic textures and instrumental techniques in concert halls, coffee shops, and backyards. Though the performances are never planned beforehand, the trio’s music is influenced by their collective experience with contemporary art music, noise, jazz, metal, and drone.
One of the world’s premiere exponents of her instrument, Susan Alcorn has taken the pedal steel guitar far beyond its traditional role in country music. Having first paid her dues in Texas country & western bands, she began to expand the vocabulary of her instrument through her study of 20th century classical music, visionary jazz, and world musics.
Though known for her solo work, she has collaborated with numerous artists including Pauline Oliveros, Eugene Chadbourne, Chris Cutler, the London Improvisors Orchestra, the Glasgow Improvisors Orchestra, Joe McPhee, Ken Vandermark, Nate Wooley, Ingrid Laubrock and Leila Bourdreuil, George Burt, Evan Parker, Caroline Kraabel, Michael Formanek, Zane Campbell, and Mary Halvorson among others. In 2017 she received the Baker Artist Award and in 2018, along with saxophonist Joe McPhee, the Instant Award in Improvised Music. Her album “Pedernal, released in 2020, was included in several “Best of theYear” lists including the New York Times.
Wild and beautiful and disturbing and downright bloody odd in turn. Frankly, trying to describe Alcorn’s music is bit like trying to paint wind: you’re better off just turning it on and letting it happen – Bob Fitzpatrick, The Guardian
A pioneer of the pedal steel guitar in improvised music. – Bill Milkowski, Downbeat
Susan Alcorn pulls an energy out of the pedal steel that feels both ancient and otherworldly. – Lars Gotrich, NPR