Serving the San Francisco Bay Area New Music Community

Sat, Jul 25 2015 10:00 PM

Studio Grand
3234 Grand Ave, Oakland
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9Fingers + Wiener Kids

9Fingers

9Fingers is an avant-jazz duo, consisting of pianist Andrew Jamieson and drummer David Douglas. The name of the group refers to a traditional West-African rhythm and dance called “Bolokonondo”. This rhythm is part of a larger family of rhythms, collectively known as Dununba, and they are considered by many to be the national rhythms and dances of Guinea. These traditional rhythms are rhythmically charged, extremely exciting, and provide a fertile ground for spontaneous expression. In addition to using this rhythm as a launching point for their own interpretive improvisations, 9Fingers perform a variety of original compositions that require the rhythmic discipline, concentration, and spontaneity of Dununba drumming. The group recorded and released their debut album entitled ABSTRACTIONS!, in April of 2015. They are currently preparing material for a follow-up release, and are commissioning new works from other Bay Area composers.

Andrew Jamieson, piano
David Douglas, drums


David Douglas

David Douglas is a multi instumentalist, composer, and music teacher based out of Oakland, CA. His major area of expertise is percussion, having been an active performer and collaborator in a wide variety of ensembles for over 25 years. He is currently performing as a solo artist, in the avant-jazz duo 9fingers with pianist and composer Andrew Jamieson, with William Ryan Fritch in the group Porchdub, and as a member of the Lightbulb Ensemble. In the recent past, he has performed and recorded with William Winant, Ellen Fullman, John Vanderslice, Tommy Guerrero, Sasha Bell, Cory Branan, Mark Eitzel, Cursive, Mandarin, and The Baptist Generals. In addition to his work as a private music teacher in percussion and piano, he has taught music theory at Mills College and drum set at SF Rock Project. He holds a Master's in Music Composition from Mills College and a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from The University of North Texas. He is endorsed by Istanbul Cymbals.


Andrew Jamieson

Andrew Jamieson is dedicated to spiritual transformation through his work as a pianist/ keyboardist, composer and arranger. With a passion for gospel music, he plays for faith communities including City of Refuge UCC in Oakland, and serves as Minister of Music at Bethel Community Presbyterian Church in San Leandro. He is dedicated to free improvisation and relentless experimentation, playing in a variety of bay area improvisational groups, including Ell3 and 9Fingers. Working to integrate these musical traditions, he composed an Avant-Gospel chamber opera Heaven Down Here, meditating on the story of Jim Jones and The People’s Temple. His latest album, Heard the Voice consists of experimental piano arrangements of African American spirituals. He completed a Master's of Arts in Music Composition at Mills College in 2013.


Wiener Kids

Wiener Kids began as a duo with guitarist Steini Gunnarsson in 2007. After Steini moved back to Iceland Jordan picked the project up again a year later, this time with the help of reed masters Aram Shelton and Cory Wright. In recent history the instrumental palette has expanded from drums and saxophones to include vibraphone, marimba, bells, small percussion, tin cans, gongs and bundt pans. The music is inspired by small dogs, old bikes, muppets, cheap Halloween decorations, babies with glasses and other wiener kids. It's fast and slow, loud and soft. It draws as much from Jan Svankmajer and Hans Bellmer as Peewee Herman and Jim Hensen. Music made by ex/current weaklings for everyone!


Cory Wright, reeds and percussion
Aram Shelton, reeds and percussion
Jordan Glenn, drums and percussion


DOORS AT 9:30PM, SHOW AT 10PM
$10-$15 sliding scale
Audio samples in which musicians at this event play:
Videos featuring musicians playing at this event
Fred Frith, Guitar; Jordan Glenn, Drums; Jason Hoopes, bass