It?s not every day lovers of new-age jazz will hear a quartet like this. No bass, no piano; in fact, when you hear the band?s name, Double Clutch, think “twosomes.”
The quartet, performing at An die Music on Saturday evening, is composed of a cornet, a bass trombone and two sets of drums.
“It?s strange instrumentation, especially [playing] without strings,” group leader and drummer Toshi Makihara said. “It?s almost like having two duos performing simultaneously.”
But the improvisational, new-age jazz performer maintains that this arrangement drives the music in a very powerful direction, “pushing the boundaries of established, traditional music.”
Furthermore, the group is not bound by any particular style. Its offerings for the evening?s show are what Makihara calls “structured improvisation,” all original music that has not been composed note by note, but is built around a theme.
“We come up with collective ideas,” he said. “Our works are more idea than composition.”
Since arriving in the United States from his native Japan in the late ?70s, Makihara has worked with various new music ensembles, as well as with numerous dance and theater companies internationally. He has provided original music for the Arden Theatre Company, the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Diversions Dance Company of Wales, to name a few. He organized Double Clutch in February in Philadelphia and plans a group studio recording session this summer for release at the year?s end.
Double Clutch?s other members are Todd Margasak on cornet, Don Blacksberg playing bass trombone and Michael Szekely on the second set of drums.
“The fact that one of the drum chairs is filled by Toshi Makihara, a highly creative and uniquely entertaining artist, makes this group a must-hear for anyone looking to expand their musical horizons,” Bernard Lyons, Creative Differences series producer, said in a recent statement.
An die Musik owner Henry Wong agreed, saying “the group is a great complement to the traditional [quartets] performing here.”
Accolades aside, Makihara is anxious to introduce his new quartet to Baltimore audiences and show them “what is possible” in new-age jazz.
IF YOU GO
» Creative Differences presents Double Clutch
» Venue: An die Musik LIVE! 409 N. Charles St., Baltimore
» Time: 8:00 p.m. Saturday
» Tickets: $15; $10 for students and seniors
» More Info: 410-385-2638
