Avant Music News

Epitonic is a site with news, information, downloads and more, with a focus on edgey music. Take a look at the sections on Jazz, Experimental, and 20th Centiry Composers.

Yet another classic label wiith a great site, check out Leo Records.
What is especially cool about these guys is that you can download some OOP CDs for a very reasonable charge in either OGG or FLAC formats. Payment is by Paypal and from the files you can burn your own CDRs, etc. […]

A couple of sites are available that post MP3s of artists covered by The Wire. Check them out at:
The Unofficial Wire Audio Companion
Swen’s Weblog

Spalax doesn’t seem to have a web site so this was gleaned from the Forced Exposure list.
RABBATH, FRANCOIS: New Sound of Jazz and first LP CD (SPA 14607). “This CD includes two former LPs, one produced by Moshe Naïm and the second one released in 1964 in the USA under the name New Sound […]

Sequenza 21 is an on line modern classical news magazine. It seems to be based on links to interesting articles found elsewhere as well as its own content. Certain pieces of that content, including articles on Henze, Turnage, electronic music, are particularly timely. Check it out.

From Thirsty Ear:
“Tim Berne’s Science Friction Band Live- The Sublime And
The Sublime And is a massive double-disc set documenting an electrified performance from Tim Berne’s Science Friction Band, recorded live in Switzerland in the spring of 2003. The Science Friction Band consists of Tim Berne on alto sax, Craig Taborn on keyboards and laptop, Marc […]

The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble might appeal to anyone who enjoys that other Chicago outfit, the Art Ensemble Of. They don’t seem to have an official site, but this one comes close.

This site on Scelsi has been around for a while, but it seems to be one of the only places that has a discography. Other areas of interest include articles and a list of compositions.

The Asko Ensemble is putting on a very interesting series of shows in Europe. As an example, here is the setlist for an all-Xenakis show scheduled for next March in the Hague.
Épéi
Nomos Alpha
S. 709
Morsima Amorsima
Dhipli Zyia
Charisma
Hunem Iduhey
Concret PH
Eonta

A Henry Grimes site has been launched, including tour schedule, biography, discography and news of a new CD.

From Scott:
“Games @ Bruno’s in San Francisco,
Thursday, July 24th
2389 Mission st.
(415) 648-7701
9pm
www.brunoslive.com
Games @ Zebulon’s Lounge
Petaluma CA.
Sunday, July 27th
21 4th St.
707-769-7948
8pm
$6
http://www.zebulonslounge.com
Consisting of Art Hirahara on piano, Todd Sickafoose on acoustic bass and Scott Amendola on drums, this Bay Area based trio draws upon the eclectic influences of its bandmates to reinterpret jazz standards and bring […]

According to this, which is in French, a live Wyatt tribute is going to take place on Nov. 8 in France. Also, there is word of a new album from Wyatt as well.
Blurb from the avant-progressive list:
“The first one is a live project, produced by Patrice Boyer, president of the ‘Charleville Action Jazz’ in […]

To be released 9/23 on Thirsty Ear is David S. Ware’s latest, entitiled Threads.
Blurb:
“THREADS is an album which first and foremost shows David S. Ware’s deep compositional skills. Wrapped within the traditional David S. Ware Quartet is a musical overlay consisting of Daniel Bernard Roumain on violin and Mat Maneri on viola.
‘Its real simple… […]

In this month’s batch from Tzadik we have:
John Zorn: Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 3 - The Unknown Masada
The third installment in this Tenth Year celebration is the most exciting yet. Fourteen tunes from Zorn’s legendary Masada songbook that have never been heard before. Performed and arranged by an incredible lineup of musicians, the music […]

A little out of date but still worthwhile, the Harry Partch site includes a biography, work list and discussion of his unique instruments.