March 4, 2019
Doors At 7. Music At 7:30pm
Don Dietrich's concert on the OPTION series at Experimental Sound Studio presents one of the founding figures of American improvised music and sonic exploration in a solo context. After his performance he'll discuss his musical history with Ken Vandermark and answer questions from the audience.
"Don Dietrich is an American improviser who is a pioneer on the international noise music scene, a founding member of the legendary Borbetomagus who continues to push forward with new groups like The New Monuments with Ben Hall and C. Spencer Yeh."
- Ken Vandermark, OPTION Curator
DON DIETRICH is a saxophonist and founding member of the improvisational trio, Borbetomagus, which includes Jim Sauter (also on saxophone) and Don Miller (electric guitar). This group began in 1979, and since then they've been a primary influence on an international scene of music which is known for its sonic intensity. The trio have collaborated with the Swiss electronics group, Voice Crack, Dutch cellist Tristan Honsinger, German bassist, Peter Kowald, and American guitarist, Thurston Moore, among others. They have released nearly 30 albums over the course of their career.
Dietrich's playing takes the exploration of saxophone overtone and multiphonic developments started by John Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders, Albert Ayler, Frank Wright, and Peter Brötzmann, updates and transforms them through his individual approach to sonic texture and the use of pedals and amplified volume. The result is a physical transformation of sound that is powerful in its effect. He most recent work includes projects with Ben Hall (drums) and C. Spencer Yeh (violin/electronics), called New Monuments, and a duo with cellist Camille Dietrich.