listen:

Threads #1 (excerpt)
(from mechanical forest sound)

The THREADS (Quintet), initially inspired by Henry Threadgill's Zooid performance at the 2011 Guelph Jazz Festival, is a modern jazz ensemble whose repertoire consists of original compositions that typically run 18-25 minutes. The "concept" behind these compositions is to create music that simultaneously merges improvisation with composition that embraces the rich history of the jazz tradition while moving it forward in some small way. This is accomplished by utilizing composed material as options for the quintet members to realize through group improvisation while still retaining space for the individual soloist to step out; and is bound together with pulse time in the drums. The quintet participated in two Somewhere There residencies and has performed in Toronto at the Tranzac Club, the Gerrard Art Space, and the Emmet Ray. In January 2015 they released their debut CD 10/09/11 at the Jazz at Oscar's Series at Hart House U of T and at Silence in Guelph. In the fall of 2015 they were presented by NUMUS in Kitchener-Waterloo.


With a rigorous and pan-idiomatic approach to both composition and improvisation, guitarist Ken Aldcroft is a key practitioner in Toronto's dynamic creative music scene. After establishing himself as a compelling new voice in the jazz scene of his hometown, Vancouver, Ken moved to Toronto in 2001 and quickly made connections with like-minded collaborators. Since then, his own multi-faceted development as an improvising guitarist, bandleader, composer, producer, and organizer has corresponded with the re-emergence of Toronto as an important centre for creative improvised music-making. As a guitarist, Ken extends the jazz tradition that lies at the core of his music education. Through his commitment to a wide-open field of musical influence and to forging new collaborative ties, Ken has systematically sought new and challenging contexts in which to improvise.

Jonathan Adjemian mainly plays things with keyboards: piano, organ, synthesizers, laptop. He is an active player of improvised, composed, and pop music. Ongoing collaborations include a duo with Amelia Ehrhardt (movement and sound) and PWM with Andy Yue (matching MS20 synths). He has recorded with, among others, Kyle Brenders, One Hundred Dollars and Jon-Rae and the River, and has toured Canada extensively with the last two. His solo work as Hoover Party covers the lounge music - noise music continuum.

Originally from Langley, BC, bassist, composer and beat-maker Josh Cole is currently based out of Toronto. Josh graduated from the Jazz Program at Capilano College in 2006 where he founded the critically acclaimed October Trio with Dan Gaucher and Evan Arntzen. In the years following, he lived in Vancouver where he played with Brad Turner, Ron Samworth, George Mcfetridge, Dylan van der Schyff, Skye Brooks, the "fabulous" Bruno Hubert, and many others. He was also active in the pop/rock community working with producer Jon Anderson (aka Jon Inc.), and Zaac Pick. Since moving to Toronto Josh has worked with THOMAS, Ken Aldcroft, and Hugh Marsh among others.

Toronto-based percussionist Germaine Liu has been privileged to work with many wonderful musicians, dancers, and artists such as Anne Bourne, Matt Brubeck, Allison Cameron, Thomas Charmetant, Malcolm Goldstein, Peggy Lee, Urs Leimgruber, John Oswald, Nicole Rampersaud, Gino Robair, Danielle Palardy Roger, Evan Parker, Nick Storring, Scott Thomson, and many others. She has participated in the 416 Festival, Guelph Jazz Festival, Nuit Blanche, Ottawa Chamber Festival, Sound Travels Festival, Suoni per il popolo, Supermusique, Toronto Jazz Festival, X-Avant festival, soundaXis festival, NAISA's Sound Bash, Tone Deaf Festival, Music(in)Galleries, NUMUS, and AIMToronto's Leftover Daylight and Interface Series'. Liu studied percussion with John Goddard and Jesse Stewart during her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph.

Alto saxophonist Karen Ng received her education from Humber College's renowned jazz program and earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music at York University. She has had the great opportunity of studying with Canada's top saxophonists including Pat LaBarbara, Alex Dean, Kirk McDonald, Mike Murley, and Kelly Jefferson. Noted for her involvement with Toronto based bands Do Make Say Think, Broken Social Scene, Woodshed Orchestra, and the Juno Award-winning Happiness Project, she has had the pleasure of touring Europe, Asia, and North America. Canadian festival appearances include Hillside, Ottawa Folk Festival, Guelph Jazz, Halifax Jazz, Sappy Fest, and TD Toronto Jazz.

kenaldcroft.com/threads
10/09/11 @ iTunes

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