Here's some very challenging music to listen to!
In this clip, saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell is playing a solo soprano saxophone set at the Nickelsdorf Konfrontationen Festival. This festival features free jazz and improvised music in a small village in the Austrian province of Burgenland close to the border with Hungary.
Roscoe is combining two extended techniques--circular breathing and multiphonics. It can be difficult to circular breath on one multiphonic like this. This particular one is actually good, because it's consistent.
At times, it sounds almost industrial--similar to a jackhammer. I used to practice circular breathing on this very multiphonic. I could never figure out what to do with it musically, so I put it down. Now that I hear Roscoe exploring it, I might investigate it again.
It's a good thing a bought my sound-proofed Whisper Room!
This blog is a space for sharing my reflections on music, creativity, life, and politics—a way to connect with fellow saxophonists, musicians, and thoughtful explorers of life. Join me as we delve into the art of sound, the nuances of expression, and the broader world around us.
Sam Newsome
"The potential for the saxophone is unlimited." - Steve Lacy
2025 Winter Jazz Festival
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