Gordon Grdina solo/ Gordon Grdina Kjell Nordeson Duo
Gordon Grdina will explore the connection between Arabic Maqam and free improvisation on both the guitar and oud before Kjell Nordeson joins him for a set of improvisational interplay.
“Gord is a motherfucker. He doesn’t play the guitar like anybody else I’ve ever seen. The instrument becomes an extension of his frantic mind, embracing both the chaos and the deep kindness he exudes as an individual. Gord’s playing isn’t referential to anything. It’s not nostalgic. It doesn’t remind you of how the guitar is so cool when it’s played well. It just reminds you that life is infinitely absurd but the pros outweigh the cons. Madic will have the privilege of sharing some of his solo work with the world soon.” – Dan Mangan
Juno award winner Gordon Grdina is an accomplished Oud/Guitarist whose sound is a combination of his interests in mainstream jazz, free-form improvisation and Arabic classical music. Aside from the avant-garde leading Gord Grdina Trio, Gordon leads the Persian contemporary ensemble Qalandar and is half of the free-punk duo Peregrine Falls. New Music/Improvising collective Grdina/Houle/Loewen and Haram, Gordon’s main ensemble for the exploration of Arabic classical music. This ancient music is redefined by the arrangement and exploration of the pieces from a modern avant-garde perspective. Currently Gordon has four NYC bands The Gordon Grdina Quartet with Oscar Noriega, Russ Lossing, and Satoshi Takeishi, The Marrow with Hank Roberts, Mark Helias & Hamin Honari, Ismaily/Grdina/Maneri, and MGB with Matt Mitchell & Jim Black. As well as these jazz and world music accomplishments Gordon is a long-standing member of the Dan Mangan Band.
He has collaborated with Gary Peacock, Paul Motian, Mats Gustafsson, Evan Parker, Colin Stetson, Samuel Blaser, Jerry Granelli, David Tronzo, Fredrik Ljungkvist, Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten, Fred Lomberg-Holm, Han Bennik, Wilbert De Joode, Francois Houle, Benoit Delbeq, Jeb Bishop, Eric Boeren, Michael Moore, Matt Mitchell, Jon Irabagon, and Michael Blake.
He has performed at many festivals across North America and Europe most notably, Festival International de Music Actuelle de Victoriaville, Calgary Folk Festival, Reeperbahn Festival, Ottawa Folk Festival, Guleph Jazz Festival, Natt Jazz Festival Bergen, Bimhuis Amsterdam, Unterfarht, Blue Note Poznan, Jazz Club Rura Wroclaw, B-Flat Berlin, Fasching, Barbes, ShapeShifter, Allways, Massey Hall, Orpheum, Burning Eagle Festival, Haldern Pop, Vancouver Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival, Halifax Pop, Halifax Jazz Festival Ottawa Jazz Festival, Deer Shed, Tramlines, Acoustic Lakeside, Jazztopad, Osheaga, and Glastonbury.