Now that saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock is firmly established as a member of the New York avant-garde and free jazz scene, it has become easy to forget that she was born in Stadtlohn, Germany, in 1970, and moved to London in 1989 before moving on to New York City in 2008. She has remained in NYC ever since, playing with such luminaries as Tim Berne, Anthony Braxton, Dave Douglas, Mary Halvorson and drummer Tom Rainey, the latter having been Laubrock's husband since 2010. Just as significantly, Laubrock has recorded for the Swiss label Intakt (established 1986) since 2008 when her album Sleepthie f — recorded in London in September 2007 — was released.
Although Laubrock is an improvising saxophonist who mainly plays tenor or soprano saxophone but can also turn her hand to alto or baritone, she has increasingly been recognised and awarded for her skills as a composer. Intakt albums like Contemporary Chaos Practices / Two Works for Orchestra with Soloists (2018) and Dreamt Twice, Twice Dreamt (Music for Chamber Orchestra and Small Ensemble) (2020) are evidence of her composing as was the composition ″Vogelfrei″ for orchestra, soloists and choir, from the 2018 album, which was included in The New York Times' 25 Best Classical Music Tracks of 2018.
Monochromes. Is the latest Intakt release in which Laubrock displays her composing skills. The composition "Monochromes" is divided into four parts- 1.1 Trumpets, 1.2 Accordions, 1.3 Percussion, 1.4 Harry Bertoia Sonambient Sculptures. There are no pauses between the parts, and the piece plays continuously for 39'35". Throughout, the quartet of Laubrock on tenor and soprano saxophones, Jon irabagon on sopranino saxophone, Zeena Parkins on electric harp and Tom Rainey on drums is central to the piece. Laubrock wrote and designed "Monochromes" as a launchpad for improvisation. In each of the four parts is a tape piece recorded by one or more musicians of Laubrock's choosing and instructed by her: trumpeter Nate Wooley in 1.1, accordionist Adam Matlock in 1.2, Tom Rainey in 1.3, Laubrock, tenor saxophonist J.D.Allen and poet David Breskin using Harry Bertoia's Sonambient sound sculptures in 1.4. Leaving aside details of the recording and mixing of the album, it is far more important that this album has achieved Laubrock's goal for the monochromes on it to be fashioned into one long piece and provide a backdrop for improvisation. Bravo!
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