https://chrisjonascreative.com Chris Jonas Fri, 24 Mar 2023 01:36:45 +0000 https://chrisjonascreative.com en https://chrisjonascreative.com/Homepage Fri, 24 Mar 2023 01:36:45 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/Homepage CHRIS JONAS <img width="1750" height="1167" width_o="1750" height_o="1167" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/facdc9bb5964cbf057f10ff409a7fdb63fc289854351ee9c4800a493a2c89736/Chris-Jonas-by-Kate-Russell.png" data-mid="250701413" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/facdc9bb5964cbf057f10ff409a7fdb63fc289854351ee9c4800a493a2c89736/Chris-Jonas-by-Kate-Russell.png" />Welcome to the website of composer, saxophonist, filmmaker, conductor and video artist, Chris Jonas (Berlin, Germany and Santa Fe, New Mexico). ENTER WEBSITE Jonas’&nbsp;Music from the Deserts, explores music and video created while winter camping 2021-25 in the remote Sonora Desert, including Arizona's Barry Goldwater Missile Range. <img width="1200" height="1200" width_o="1200" height_o="1200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9d5218ce41f5d1674ee2f3adc443f1f3400be6e41c0d0c5a39db29ef8f5efccd/Jonas-backwardsupwardsky-CD1200dpi.png" data-mid="226625333" border="0" data-scale="26" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9d5218ce41f5d1674ee2f3adc443f1f3400be6e41c0d0c5a39db29ef8f5efccd/Jonas-backwardsupwardsky-CD1200dpi.png" />This collection of music was released in the 2025 album “backwardsupwardsky” (on Edgetone Records).&nbsp; https://chrisjonascreative.com/About Mon, 21 Sep 2020 17:29:28 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/About Chris Jonas is a Berlin and Santa Fe-based composer, filmmaker, saxophone player, and video artist. As an instrumentalist and composer/conductor, he has performed, recorded, and toured internationally with many of today’s most adventurous artists, working extensively with Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, William Parker, Del Sol String Quartet, TILT Brass, the Crossing Choir, and others. Jonas is a United States Artists Fellow and a winner of the 2012 Meet the Composer/Commissioning USA Award for GARDEN, his ongoing series of live music and transmedia works. Chris Jonas is also a filmmaker. He was associate producer and composer for the feature documentary SEMBENE! which premiered at Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. He was producer, program director and composer for the 2013 PBS feature documentary OUR TIME IS NOW, Screened nationally for 16 months across PBS/CPB American Graduate &nbsp;program reaching tens of millions of US homes. Most recently, he was lead of the creative team, director, editor and producer for DREAM BABY DREAM with the Jazzfest Berlin Film Labs program, creating a music-driven film with professional and community based artists for the 2026 Jazzfest Berlin. The resulting film DREAM BABY DREAM premiered April 2026 at the Liminal Dance Film Festival in Washington DC, winning the InSeries COUNTERPOINT Award and has screened at festivals worldwide. He is Co-Founder and former Executive Director of Little Globe, the New Mexico arts and social justice non-profit, and is Vice President of the Tri-Centric Foundation, an organization committed to the work and legacy of Anthony Braxton. In 2019, Jonas was conductor for Braxton’s 6-hour, 63-person orchestra project, Sonic Genome, at the Jazzfest Berlin Jonas has received commissions for large-scale music and video performance projects with many international artists, including the Del Sol String Quartet, Duo B Experimental Band, the Crossing Choir, with ensembles and musicians in Berlin, Portugal and Ireland, the Chicago Improvisors Group, and with numerous international venues, including SITE Santa Fe, the Lensic, the Santa Fe Opera, Center for New Music, Roulette, Lincoln Center, Knitting Factory, Z-Space in San Francisco, Triskel Arts Center in Cork, Ireland, Gropius Bau in Berlin, Germany, and the National Theater and Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan."Chris Jonas’ remarkable composed suites [are] subtle breakthroughs and fantastic journeys." - Ann Powers, New York Times"Chis Jonas [is a] a gifted and original avant-garde soprano saxophonist and composer."&nbsp; - Harvey Pekar,&nbsp; Cleveland Scene &nbsp; "Jonas’ imaginative, provocative compositions and arrangements that really stick out and make him one to watch." - Peter Margasak, JazzTimes "Jonas cultivates a fluid relationship in his music between spontaneous gestures and planned ones; elaborately scored structures and dense improvisations can coexist within an album-length composition, sometimes as contrasting elements and sometimes as simultaneous events." - Bill Meyer, Chicago Reader https://chrisjonascreative.com/Selected-Discography Mon, 21 Sep 2020 18:22:22 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/Selected-Discography Selected Discography&nbsp;Jonas appears on over 65 music releases, below are some of highlight records <img width="1200" height="1200" width_o="1200" height_o="1200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9d5218ce41f5d1674ee2f3adc443f1f3400be6e41c0d0c5a39db29ef8f5efccd/Jonas-backwardsupwardsky-CD1200dpi.png" data-mid="226625474" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9d5218ce41f5d1674ee2f3adc443f1f3400be6e41c0d0c5a39db29ef8f5efccd/Jonas-backwardsupwardsky-CD1200dpi.png" />backwardsupwardsky: music from the desertsChris Jonas Released March 2025 on Edgetone Records&nbsp; ALBUM AVAILABLE HERE <img width="700" height="700" width_o="700" height_o="700" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b42c450e13423312333330ec6e0a876a7fcbabc9fefa0d231dbb03bd5178aefd/a1252184628_16.jpg" data-mid="208371735" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/700/i/b42c450e13423312333330ec6e0a876a7fcbabc9fefa0d231dbb03bd5178aefd/a1252184628_16.jpg" /> Sax QT (Lorraine)Anthony Braxton Saxophone Quartet2022 ALBUM NOW AVAILABLE HERE Eeyahdi&nbsp; Goggle Saxophone Quartet&nbsp; 2021 Thollem's Astral Traveling SessionsThollem / Santistevan / DeFoe / Hutchinson / Jonas 2021, Astral Spirits&nbsp; Pentet Pentet 2020 Almeda (To Matie) Cecil Taylor 2012, FMP Corona Cecil Taylor &amp; Sunny Murray 2012, FMP Galore Bing&nbsp; 2004 Adventure Reality Amitosis 2002 The Vermilion Chris Jonas' The Sun Spits Cherries featuring Myra Melford 2001, Hopscotch Ensembles Unsynchronized Chris Jonas Quintet 2000, NewSonic Records The Sun Spits Cherries Chris Jonas’ The Sun Spits Cherries1999, Hopscotch Records Child King Dictator Fool Great Circle Saxophone Quartet1997, New World Records Echo Echo Mirror House&nbsp;(NYC) Anthony Braxton 2011, Catalog #: NBH035GTM (OUTPOST)&nbsp;2003 Composition 255 &amp; 265Anthony Braxton, Chris Jonas &amp; Molly Sturges 2010, Leo Records Septet (Pittsburgh) 2008 Anthony Braxton 2008,&nbsp;Catalog #: NBH001 Almeda Cecil Taylor 2005, FMP <img width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8d999831eb51757dae18ff28e37ffcef7363f6f77e87378e6a6daf4152b36046/Mass-for-a-healing-world.jpg" data-mid="110517436" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/8d999831eb51757dae18ff28e37ffcef7363f6f77e87378e6a6daf4152b36046/Mass-for-a-healing-world.jpg" /> Mass for the Healing of the World William Parker &amp; the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra2004, Black Saint <img width="594" height="832" width_o="594" height_o="832" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/71cb79307d1ba0bf06922f7fbba56887ff192d908ea954d9f03276feb950776e/James-Fei--Alto-Quartets.png" data-mid="110515044" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/594/i/71cb79307d1ba0bf06922f7fbba56887ff192d908ea954d9f03276feb950776e/James-Fei--Alto-Quartets.png" /> Alto Quartets James Fei 2004,&nbsp;Organized Sound Light of Corona Cecil Taylor 2003,&nbsp;FMP Tentet (Paris) Anthony Braxton 2001,&nbsp;Catalog #: NBH037 Tentet (Wesleyan) 2000 Anthony Braxton 2000,&nbsp;Catalog #:NBH013NBH014 &nbsp; Tentet (Antwerp) 2000 Anthony Braxton 2000,&nbsp;Catalog #:NBH009.1NBH009.2 Tentet (Wesleyan) 1999 Anthony Braxton 1999, Catalog #: NBH020NBH021 Trillium R: Shala Fears for the Poor (Opera) Anthony Braxton 1999,&nbsp;Catalog #: BH008 Sax Quintet (Middletown)Anthony Braxton 1998,&nbsp;Catalog #:NBH006.1NBH006.2 Sax Quintet (NYC) 1998 Anthrony Braxton 1998,&nbsp;Catalog #: NBH038 Three Orchestras (GTM) 1998 Anthony Braxton 1998 Four Compositions (Washington, D.C.) 1998Anthrony Braxton 1999 Two Compositions ( Trio ) 1998 Anthrony Braxton, 1998 <img width="500" height="497" width_o="500" height_o="497" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ba56608c60d083f27413721a4ba471488dd6d257010e7661fe67168c5a4dad4a/Composition-169---Ghost-Trance.jpg" data-mid="110519967" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/ba56608c60d083f27413721a4ba471488dd6d257010e7661fe67168c5a4dad4a/Composition-169---Ghost-Trance.jpg" /> Composition 169 + Ghost Trance (Ljubjiana) Anthony Braxton / The Slovenia National Radio Orchestra2001, Leo Records Mayor of Punkville, William Parker's "Little Huey" Orchestra William Parker2000, Aum&nbsp; <img width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/14e845c43233705bf4da46c2b4badd38620f48f6178b9f6c4237d143c37c1f61/The-Way-of-the-Saxophone-Brooklyn-Sax-Quartet.jpg" data-mid="110520226" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/14e845c43233705bf4da46c2b4badd38620f48f6178b9f6c4237d143c37c1f61/The-Way-of-the-Saxophone-Brooklyn-Sax-Quartet.jpg" />The Way of the Saxophone Brooklyn Sax Quartet (C. Jonas, Sam Furnace, David Bindman, Fred Ho)2000, Innova <img width="500" height="496" width_o="500" height_o="496" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/02c2db065b8c430504666792f40fe501ccff9aaf7442e5934e61203db12e2ced/The-Hollow-World.jpg" data-mid="110520266" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/02c2db065b8c430504666792f40fe501ccff9aaf7442e5934e61203db12e2ced/The-Hollow-World.jpg" /> The Hollow World Assif Tsahar’s Brass Reeds Ensemble1999, Hopscotch Records Full Circle Suite Joe Fonda Quintet (C. Jonas, J. Fonda, Gebhard Ullman, Taylor Ho Bynum, Kevin Norton)1999, CIMP Vision Vol. I: Vision Fest. ‘97 Compiled&nbsp; "Hoang", William Parker's "Little Huey" Orchestra 1998, Aum Vision Vol. I: Vision Fest. ‘97 Compiled, "Conduction #72", Butch Morris ('98 Aum) Sunrise on the Tone World William Parker's "Little Huey" Creative Music Orchestra1997, Aum <img width="300" height="292" width_o="300" height_o="292" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9f000bc5a3e47d7d24883da3fac1b13e5a3962751d359bd0284539ee616dc4f7/Flowers-Grow-in-my-room.jpg" data-mid="110520325" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/300/i/9f000bc5a3e47d7d24883da3fac1b13e5a3962751d359bd0284539ee616dc4f7/Flowers-Grow-in-my-room.jpg" /> Flowers Grow in My Room William Parker's "Little Huey" Creative Music Orchestra 1994, Centering American Works for Balinese Gamelan Orchestra Evan Ziporyn/Nyoman Windha’s "Kekembangan"(for sax quartet and Balinese Gamelan Orchestra), Gamelan Sekar Jaya1993, New World Records https://chrisjonascreative.com/Contact Mon, 05 Apr 2021 18:43:01 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/Contact chris @ littleglobe dot org https://chrisjonascreative.com/Cover-Desert-Music-and-Current-Projects Wed, 28 Jul 2021 17:09:50 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/Cover-Desert-Music-and-Current-Projects Music from the Deserts and Current Projects <img width="1280" height="289" width_o="1280" height_o="289" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/999ec6344bb6e8a5e6bbb9cae9308756d33ae7cff37719c24aa55a8ab641f444/Jonas-Creative-Pix-2016-21---77.jpeg" data-mid="174752215" border="0" data-scale="100" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/999ec6344bb6e8a5e6bbb9cae9308756d33ae7cff37719c24aa55a8ab641f444/Jonas-Creative-Pix-2016-21---77.jpeg" /> https://chrisjonascreative.com/Desert-Music-and-Current-Projects-1 Wed, 28 Jul 2021 17:10:07 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/Desert-Music-and-Current-Projects-1 Music from the Deserts and other current projects Chris Jonas: Music from the Deserts explores the music and videos&nbsp;created over&nbsp;80 days / four years of solitary winter camping in Arizona's Barry Goldwater Missile Range throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp; This collection of music and videos tours worldwide in 2023-2025 (shows listed below) <img width="4529" height="3288" width_o="4529" height_o="3288" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4b18dcf67388aa791625daef3728273ae2a7a1cc70bbfeb69a3cc18c5b574d46/Desert-at-Mosswood-B-W-image-by-Sevgi-Sungun.png" data-mid="201708129" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4b18dcf67388aa791625daef3728273ae2a7a1cc70bbfeb69a3cc18c5b574d46/Desert-at-Mosswood-B-W-image-by-Sevgi-Sungun.png" />JONAS PERFORMANCES2025 <img width="1400" height="1555" width_o="1400" height_o="1555" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c947dedfa91961b46b732c99cfba12176b4375c149746f2a7b3e191306e8bced/braxton1_171025_113004.png" data-mid="226628027" border="0" data-scale="44" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c947dedfa91961b46b732c99cfba12176b4375c149746f2a7b3e191306e8bced/braxton1_171025_113004.png" />Saturday, March 8 Music of Anthony Braxton @ Library of Congress 6pm Pre-concert panel (Jonas as panelist) moderated by Timo Hoyer 8pm Concert Thomas Jefferson Building - Coolidge Auditorium 10 1st Street SE, Washington, DC 20540 Performing: Compositions 222, 100 and Thunder Music Performers &nbsp; Jean Cook, violin, Erica Dicker, violin , James Fei, saxophone, Nick Hallett, voice, Chris Jonas, saxophone, Adam Matlock, accordion and voice, Dan Peck, tuba, Reut Regev, trombone, Tomeka Reid, cello, Anne Rhodes, voice, Stephanie Richards, trumpet, Aaron Siegel, percussion, Carl Testa, double bass, electronics, Cory Smythe, piano, Katherine Young, bassoonhttps://www.loc.gov/item/event-415334/music-of-anthony-braxton/2025-03-08/ <img width="1600" height="3106" width_o="1600" height_o="3106" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4f442e347a20ca2c0879cdd6ac00c58dab1a1bcadf8c352474cc21a304e0ffba/Deserts25-Beauty---1.jpeg" data-mid="226657461" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4f442e347a20ca2c0879cdd6ac00c58dab1a1bcadf8c352474cc21a304e0ffba/Deserts25-Beauty---1.jpeg" /> March 12 7:30pm - Troy NY Jonas Deserts Quartet @ Improv Spaces Mount Ida Preservation Hall, 548 Congress St, Troy, NY 12180 www.improvspaces.wordpress.com/ $20 suggested donation March 13 7:30pm - Saugerties, NY Jonas Deserts Quartet @ Upstate Films/Orpheum Theater 156 Main St, Saugerties, NY 12477 www.upstatefilms.org Tickets: $14 general/$10 members March 15 7:30pm - Brooklyn, NY Jonas Deserts Quartet @ Soup &amp; Sound 292 Lefferts Ave., Brooklyn, NY www.soupandsound.org/ Soup at 7:30, Music at 8
$20 suggested donation Chris Jonas Deserts Quartet (Brooklyn) with Chris Jonas, saxophones, video, composition Thomas Heberer, cornet Cyrus Campbell, bass Andrew Drury, drums ITALY <img width="1440" height="1080" width_o="1440" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c5aad51aec1be123c4613a421e95124d85f52b10a0e267ce40a41b7fe2829d89/Bologna-Desert-4tet.jpg" data-mid="201710106" border="0" data-scale="59" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c5aad51aec1be123c4613a421e95124d85f52b10a0e267ce40a41b7fe2829d89/Bologna-Desert-4tet.jpg" /> Wednesday, April 23 Deserts Quartet (Bologna band) Club Zuni, Via Ragno 15, Ferrara, Italy <img width="1388" height="1386" width_o="1388" height_o="1386" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c852a74d987ec1b535d87a085af73e4a2804d6be25b7adc395c1b318078edf3c/Screenshot-2025-02-15-at-8.56.51-AM.png" data-mid="226628036" border="0" data-scale="60" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c852a74d987ec1b535d87a085af73e4a2804d6be25b7adc395c1b318078edf3c/Screenshot-2025-02-15-at-8.56.51-AM.png" /> Saturday April 26 9:30pm Fonterossa Night (workshop performance with other conductors) Toscana Produzione Musica at Exwide Club Via Franceschi 13, Pisa, Italy https://exwide.com/ <img width="2048" height="1366" width_o="2048" height_o="1366" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bb6b2fe1e4d54cc87b9d3a5807a258218bcc536537aeb5e27677f1595357dfdc/475910226_1096572742265717_7597235699568471617_n-1.jpg" data-mid="226628044" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bb6b2fe1e4d54cc87b9d3a5807a258218bcc536537aeb5e27677f1595357dfdc/475910226_1096572742265717_7597235699568471617_n-1.jpg" /> Sunday, April 27 6pm Deserts Quartet and Jonas Conducts Fonterossa Open Orchestra (40 person creative orchestra) Jonas: Three Afternoons, Tinajas 2025 (three movements) Fonterossa Day #9 Teatro di Sant'Andrea, Pisa Italy https://toscanaproduzionemusica.it/fonterossa-open-lab-2025/ April 28 &amp; 29 Masterclasses with Deserts Quartet Conservatorio A Vivaldi Via Parma, 1, 15121 Alessandria AL, Italywww.conservatoriovivaldi.it April 30 9:30pm Deserts Quartet (Bologna band) Alessandria Jazz Club @ Ristorazione Sociale viale Milite Ignoto 1/a www.alessandriajazzclub.it Deserts Quartet (Bologna)Chris Jonas, compositions, projected video, soprano and tenor saxophonesLuca Serrapigglio, contrabass clarinet and baritone saxophoneLuca Bernard, bassGiacomo Pisano, drums <img width="960" height="518" width_o="960" height_o="518" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/50871fa323a84b031506daeb78474e14443c6375a85329cbc8d610e073eaad04/Bologna-Deserts-Image-Colywood-Aug23.jpg" data-mid="201710064" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/50871fa323a84b031506daeb78474e14443c6375a85329cbc8d610e073eaad04/Bologna-Deserts-Image-Colywood-Aug23.jpg" /> DESERTS ENSEMBLES Music from the Deserts features Santa Fe-based composer and saxophone player Chris Jonas along with musicians from a few key collaborations across the globe. Brooklyn, NY Chris Jonas, compositions, projected video, soprano and tenor saxophonesThomas Heberer, trumpetCyrus Campbell, bassAndrew Drury, drums Oakland, CAChris Jonas, compositions, projected video, soprano and tenor saxophonesCory Wright, baritone sax, clarinetsLisa Mezzacappa, bassJason Levis, drumsBologna, Italy Chris Jonas, compositions, projected video, soprano and tenor saxophonesLuca Serrapigglio, contrabass clarinet and baritone saxophoneLuca Bernard, bassGiacomo Pisano, drums Chicago, ILChris Jonas, compositions, projected video, soprano and tenor saxophones Jeff Kimmel, clarinetsRobert Lundberg, bassSam Scranton, drumsSanta Fe, NM Chris Jonas, compositions, projected video, soprano and tenor saxophones with various ensembles, includingDelbert Anderson, trumpetJerry Weimer, clarinetsJeremy Bleich, electric bassCyrus Campell, double bassMilton Villarrubia III, drumsJonah Minkus, drums Jonas’s music for the Deserts contains some elements of a jazz-based ensemble, and works with colors and sounds outside of the usual domains of traditional jazz, mixing elements that are quirky, delicate, weirdly groovy, polyphonic, and a mixture of the disjointed and melodic.Videos projected during each concert include images from the Goldwater Missile Range, Trump and Obama's border walls, the complex community of Yuma, Arizona and the vast wilderness surrounding these places. <img width="1280" height="567" width_o="1280" height_o="567" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fd151b6b10a6b586f6b20fb1b8221c924404814379dd18214c4d5985f0d6b537/Jonas-Saguaro-Trump-Wall-Pano-low-res.jpeg" data-mid="201710207" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fd151b6b10a6b586f6b20fb1b8221c924404814379dd18214c4d5985f0d6b537/Jonas-Saguaro-Trump-Wall-Pano-low-res.jpeg" /> 2023 &amp; 2024 CONCERTS <img width="1920" height="1005" width_o="1920" height_o="1005" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/01b81c78a03a0c3e3f97f141d276b0755ca4854a85eda6506274810236ea4c60/Music.png" data-mid="213451931" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/01b81c78a03a0c3e3f97f141d276b0755ca4854a85eda6506274810236ea4c60/Music.png" /> July 20, 2024 at Paradiso Santa Fe with Delbert Anderson, Trumpet, Cyrus Campbell, bass, Jonah Minkus, drums (with guests Alex Murzyn, flute/alto sax, Jerry Weimer, clarinet) <img width="610" height="800" width_o="610" height_o="800" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/454ab73a66f846fc2ea7ef1fdaa3fe3c2ad434dd59f6b236a6def3f926e6095e/Jonas-Deserts-at-Outpost-July2024.png" data-mid="213451933" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/610/i/454ab73a66f846fc2ea7ef1fdaa3fe3c2ad434dd59f6b236a6def3f926e6095e/Jonas-Deserts-at-Outpost-July2024.png" /> July 18, 2024 at Outpost, Albuquerquewith Delbert Anderson, Trumpet, Cyrus Campbell, bass, Jonah Minkus, drums <img width="1080" height="1920" width_o="1080" height_o="1920" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e3fc4f9e40d4abd80b4e0722e2b5b369e94ededfca2f9e8a0805c37eb41497d7/2.png" data-mid="213868979" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e3fc4f9e40d4abd80b4e0722e2b5b369e94ededfca2f9e8a0805c37eb41497d7/2.png" /> July 17, 2024 at Reno Public Market/Art Town, Reno, Nevadawith Delbert Anderson, Trumpet, Cyrus Campbell, bass, Jonah Minkus, drums <img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8ead2cdf5d11ec4a3dd41c7702a548aec8644e7c11dfdc3f5b7adf938c79feda/desert-quartet-Instagram-Post.png" data-mid="213451876" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8ead2cdf5d11ec4a3dd41c7702a548aec8644e7c11dfdc3f5b7adf938c79feda/desert-quartet-Instagram-Post.png" />March 2, 2024 at Santa Monica Libraywith Cory Wright, clarinet and baritone saxophone, Lisa Mezzacappa, bass, Jason Levis, drums <img width="1080" height="1375" width_o="1080" height_o="1375" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8c12fe3bba42cdedb442cf1e05af0020c8e7885c3962e6eebaaa5d6440120acb/Santa-Monica-Library-Shows-March-2024-Deserts-Quartet.jpg" data-mid="213451877" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8c12fe3bba42cdedb442cf1e05af0020c8e7885c3962e6eebaaa5d6440120acb/Santa-Monica-Library-Shows-March-2024-Deserts-Quartet.jpg" />March 2, 2024 at Santa Monica Libraywith Cory Wright, clarinet and baritone saxophone, Lisa Mezzacappa, bass, Jason Levis, drums <img width="1440" height="1440" width_o="1440" height_o="1440" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/98b8da16687a69acaab6b1d5c8f363f1c05a4f557001ac621915b19df038cd10/Mosswood-Deserts-Oct-22-2023.jpg" data-mid="201710110" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/98b8da16687a69acaab6b1d5c8f363f1c05a4f557001ac621915b19df038cd10/Mosswood-Deserts-Oct-22-2023.jpg" />October 22, 2023 at Mosswood Chapel, Oakland, CA with Cory Wright, clarinet and baritone saxophone, Lisa Mezzacappa, bass, Jason Levis, drums <img width="2000" height="2001" width_o="2000" height_o="2001" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d2066fddb61dd6a046899c150c389a1dad0165cb4ca48e10cd7cb4c17d91e6c1/Desert-at-Mosswood-band-2-image-by-Sevgi-Sungun.png" data-mid="201710813" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d2066fddb61dd6a046899c150c389a1dad0165cb4ca48e10cd7cb4c17d91e6c1/Desert-at-Mosswood-band-2-image-by-Sevgi-Sungun.png" /> October 20, 2022 at the Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto, CA with Cory Wright, clarinet and baritone saxophone, Lisa Mezzacappa, bass, Jason Levis, drums August 6, 2023 at Shape Shoppe Paradiso studios Siena/Monteriggioni, ItalyChris Jonas Desert 4tet with Luca Serrapigglio, contrabass clarinet and baritone saxophone, Luca Bernard, bass and Giacomo Pisano, drums <img width="1032" height="540" width_o="1032" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/97412556985eccc745cfba115818eb3884d951dbf5d4bc9f89b14a82e3852178/Collywood-Deserts-Promo-Aug23.jpg" data-mid="201710091" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/97412556985eccc745cfba115818eb3884d951dbf5d4bc9f89b14a82e3852178/Collywood-Deserts-Promo-Aug23.jpg" /> August 3, 2023 at Collywood, Bologna, Italy Chris Jonas Desert 4tet with&nbsp;Luca Serrapigglio, contrabass clarinet and baritone saxophone, Luca Bernard, bass and Giacomo Pisano, drums<img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dbce0f32fec5cbe7626e650992a5ddf85d3aa01b899f0426c3a411084f183540/Jonas-w-Lost-Time-Orchestra-Levontin7-Tel-Aviv.jpg" data-mid="201710059" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/dbce0f32fec5cbe7626e650992a5ddf85d3aa01b899f0426c3a411084f183540/Jonas-w-Lost-Time-Orchestra-Levontin7-Tel-Aviv.jpg" /> July 21, 2023 at Levontin 7, Tel Aviv, Israel Chris Jonas conducting the Lost Time Orchestra featuring Assif Tsahar, tenor saxophone <img width="1766" height="1174" width_o="1766" height_o="1174" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/046b02d61949e19eb702f24a110d1a790afd07b04d332b5402846f11c91a9d6e/Screen-Shot-2023-04-10-at-12.31.18-PM.png" data-mid="174847747" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/046b02d61949e19eb702f24a110d1a790afd07b04d332b5402846f11c91a9d6e/Screen-Shot-2023-04-10-at-12.31.18-PM.png" /> May 4, 2023 at Elastic Arts Foundation in Chicago, IL, as part of their Improvised Music Series and featuring&nbsp;Jeff Kimmel on&nbsp;clarinets,&nbsp;Sam Scranton on precussion, and&nbsp;Robert Lundberg on bass <img width="1280" height="1000" width_o="1280" height_o="1000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6e6d96e045e76fd1c066e3cb0b5d18bb847086744feec10a4d83aa53035ae258/Deserts-Chicago-Elastic-2023-Veena-Image1---1.jpeg" data-mid="201710796" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6e6d96e045e76fd1c066e3cb0b5d18bb847086744feec10a4d83aa53035ae258/Deserts-Chicago-Elastic-2023-Veena-Image1---1.jpeg" /> May 2, 2023 at Uncle Art Gallery in Chicago, IL, presented by&nbsp;Department of Harmony and featuring&nbsp;Jeff Kimmel on&nbsp;clarinets,&nbsp;Sam Scranton on precussion, and&nbsp;Robert Lundberg on bass <img width="1600" height="2071" width_o="1600" height_o="2071" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a26e859c81d170772e03d0b7051a3fe7ab45372da2113fcea72863bac43a70f4/Jonas-Deserts-San-Miguel-Promo-Apr23-for-four-up.jpg" data-mid="175019120" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a26e859c81d170772e03d0b7051a3fe7ab45372da2113fcea72863bac43a70f4/Jonas-Deserts-San-Miguel-Promo-Apr23-for-four-up.jpg" /> April 20, 2023 at San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, NM, with two ensembles consisting of a broad swath of multi-generational musicians: A trio with Jeremy Bleich on electric bass and Milton Villarrubia III on drums, and a Quartet/Quintet featuring Jerry Weimer on clarinet, Leroy Medina on bassoon, Cyrus Campbell on Double Bass, and Dan Cuatt on drums November 10, 2022 at Bird &amp; Beckett Books, San Francisco CAfeaturing Chris Jonas withLiza Mezzacappa, bassJordan Glenn, drums https://chrisjonascreative.com/Overview-Cover Tue, 27 Jul 2021 20:12:31 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/Overview-Cover Creative Music Ensembles (conducting/composing) https://chrisjonascreative.com/Overview-of-Creative-Music-Ensemble-Work Mon, 29 Mar 2021 13:59:33 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/Overview-of-Creative-Music-Ensemble-Work Chris Jonas’ remarkable composed suites [are] subtle breakthroughs and fantastic journeys. -Ann Powers, The New York Times Ensemble Projects Drawing from my experiences working in ensembles led by my long term collaborators of the Goggle Sax Quartet, Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Butch Morris, and William Parker, I became fascinated with how composition can be the halfway point between an idea and a performance, cuing up a diverse body of musicians to have enough stability and fresh materials to create new things on stage while freeing them to be fully themselves in the moment. For each of these bandleaders, there became the necessity for developing unique ways of communicating with an ensemble in performance: for Braxton it was structured by his Language Music, and for Butch Morris, the complex array of hand symbols codified in what he called “Conduction.” My own activity as a composer/performer/conductor has come to be central to my work. Current Ensemble Work Somehow, there’s an entirely new spirit of music and creative work in my life today. This is very much a carryover from the work I did in the Bay Area in the weeks before Covid. There, I worked on a series of projects in collaboration with long-time comrades in duo B. Experimental Band, co-led by Lisa Mezzacappa and Jason Levis; Goggle Saxophone Quartet with lifelong collaborators Cory Wright, Dan Plonsey, and Randy McKean; and my collaborations with the Del Sol String Quartet, which has been ongoing since 2008. https://chrisjonascreative.com/cover-duo-B Tue, 27 Jul 2021 20:15:33 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/cover-duo-B duo B. Experimental Band (guest conductor) https://chrisjonascreative.com/duo-B-Experimental-Band-text Wed, 10 Mar 2021 12:36:20 +0000 Chris Jonas https://chrisjonascreative.com/duo-B-Experimental-Band-text duo B. Experimental Band (guest conductor) Spring of 2020, I worked with a marvelous group of musicians in Oakland and Berkeley exploring my own idiosyncratic ways of conducting and performing the work of Anthony Braxton. With Polly Moller Springhorn and Erika Oba, flute, Matt Ingalls and Rachel Condry, clarinets, Bruce Ackley, Randy McKean, Michael Zelner, Dan Plonsey, woodwinds, Tom Weeks and Kasey Knudsen, alto saxophone, Daniel Goldberg, tenor saxophone, Steve Adams, sopranino saxophone/electronics, Ian Carey, trumpet Gabby Fluke-Mogul and Kevin CK Lo, violin, Juan Hernandez and John Finkbeiner, Brett Carson, piano, Kjell Nordeson and Dillon Vado, vibraphone, Lisa Mezzacappa, Andrew Harlan, and Safa Shokrai, acoustic bass, Suki O'Kane, percussion, Jordan Glenn and Jason Levis, drums. Co-led by the marvelous Lisa Mezzacappa and Jason Levis. &nbsp;<img width="1242" height="956" width_o="1242" height_o="956" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cc28b58ebdee8263c3a1791aaf22f587525e1f15158508f515d42705c0f574ed/duo-b-1.png" data-mid="114826044" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cc28b58ebdee8263c3a1791aaf22f587525e1f15158508f515d42705c0f574ed/duo-b-1.png" /><img width="1234" height="948" width_o="1234" height_o="948" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/59f3bc2d5d3a4a10216ee1b3c5174ce22d04784a67edcf5a1cb5bf00f9f1116b/duo-b-2.png" data-mid="114826046" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/59f3bc2d5d3a4a10216ee1b3c5174ce22d04784a67edcf5a1cb5bf00f9f1116b/duo-b-2.png" />