Interview and Experiments with Thomas Buckner on the Podcast

Thomas Buckner, a player in the emergence of free improv and the American avant garde in the 1960’s and 70’s, in decades since has traveled the world performing and supporting the development of contemporary classical and experimental music. And Thomas Buckner was our honoured guest yesterday for an Indyish interview and jam.

Beyond being called “A pillar of the experimental music nonestablishment” by the New York Times, and awarded the American Music Center’s Letter of Distinction, Thomas Buckner has participated in founding his own indie record label and music festival, and made an inspiring, globe-trotting career performing free jazz, opera, classical; and expanding the raw edges of the new and nameless.

During our Indyish interview with the dapper and charming baritone, he gave us a brief master class in the ideas and ideals of free improv. Conversation ranged wide, from Thomas Buckner’s experience working on original compositions with Burmese musicians and poets, to improvised song in relation to metal sculpture by Alain Kirili, and to Monet’s Water Lilies, and to improvised dance in Africa.

Thomas Buckner was gracious with our young, DIY, indie selves, and remarkably generous with his time. Only in Montreal for 3 short days, days already stacked with performances and rehearsals for the Voyages: Montreal New York festival happening this weekend at La Chapelle, he hung out with us for 2 hours and not only answered questions but joyfully jammed.

Though intimidated by his background, I dared propose the podjam because, listening to all the work made available on his website, I suspected he might be comfortable with any and everything, and also, it seemed that though he has monumental, masterful experience with electronic virtuosos, there wasn’t anything house or really beat-based in his repertoire, from what I could tell. Turns out, right on both counts – his booking manager confirmed that Mr.Buckner would be down for a brief improv if there was time; and once with us, his eyes lit up when we told him Matthew Hiscock, one of our collaborators for the afternoon, ran a house/electro label. Apparently one of Thomas Buckner’s children is deeply involved in the house/dance/electro scene, but he hadn’t played around personally with quite that kind of beat before. The results were compelling, fun, surprising, contemplative, and far from what I think most of us had ever done or heard. Thomas Buckner created a safe, creative, professional space for play, and taught us a bit about how such magic takes place…

Have a listen! Tell us what you think! I have a little video I’ll post soon as well, so you can see the improv in action.


http://www.indyish.com/podcast/thomas-buckner-interview-and-improvisation/

Sunday April 6: ­ Saxophones : le quatuor QUASAR