tracks #1-#29: http://archive01.podomatic.com/
tracks #30-71: http://archive02.podomatic.com/
track #72- : http://archive03.podomatic.com/

ELLIS / RAON / MOIMÊME

Canadian bass player Lisle Ellis was in town playing in a couple of different venues, including a micro-festival organized by Miguel Martins, entitled “Arma Jazz”. Here we capture him alongside Eduardo Raon and Abdul Moimême, live at Trem Azul.

Lisle Ellis – double bass
Eduardo Raon - harp
Abdul Moimême – water bell, tenor sax

Recorded live at Trem Azul, 18 April 2005
Composition: Ellis, Raon, Moimême

(collage by Dilar Pereira, “#636_Red Line II” )

WOODS

2008, the annus mirabilis of Lisbon’s improvisation scene has produced yet another project entitled “Woods”. The current track captures the quintet in one of its rehearsals, just before their first appearance at the “Fabrica do Braço de Prata”, a truly democratic space that has contributed immensely to a flourishing creative scene.

Bruno Parrinha – clarinet
João Pedro Viegas – bass clarinet
Miguel Mira – cello
Hernâni Faustino – double bass
João Parrinha – drum

Composition: Woods
(design: Miguel Mira)

YAMAUCHI ( 山内桂 ) / RODRIGUES / TRAVASSOS / FAUSTINO

Katsura Yamauchi, the Japanese free improviser and composer, came to Lisbon on his recent European tour to play two solo concerts plus a quartet performance. Track #106 catches Katsura and his Portuguese counterparts on their second collective improvisation.

Katsura Yamauchi – alto saxophone
Ernesto Rodrigues – violin
Travassos – electronics
Hernâni Faustino – doublebass


Excerpt from web page ( http://salmosax.com/ ):
“山内桂　（やまうち　かつら）
1954年大分県別府市生まれ。大分市在住。松山の大学でサックスと即興演奏を始め、内外のさまざまなミュージシャンと共演する他、作曲も行う。また並行して、ミルフォード・グレイブス、ハン・ベニンク、デレク・ベイリー、トリスタン・ホンジンガー等の初来日松山公演を主催、あるいは関わる。
以後 通算２３年半を会社員として過ごす傍ら、地方都市で自主的な音楽活動を続け、即興演奏や自己のグループで活動、自身の音楽を磨く。
'０２年１０月以降音楽活動に専念し、音そのものの響き、細胞レベルのコミュニケーションによる独自のサウンド・アート ”ＳＡＬＭＯ　ＳＡＸ ”をソロを中心に国内外で展開中。その音は刺激的で、どこかなつかしい。”

Recorded live by AM: 3 June, 22:00, Bar O’Século, Lisbon
(Watercolour by Margarida Reis Silva, from her recent exhibit “Linhas Vegetais”)

ABDUL MOIMÊME

In the heyday of Punk and New Wave, cassette tapes, vinyl play-a-longs and cheap clip–on pick-ups where the essential paraphernalia of any budding jazz improviser.

Abdul Moimême – electrified Gibson (+ play-a-long)

Recorded, Madrid, 16 Jan. 1980

AMADO / MIRA / FERRANDINI

A new version of the Lisbon based power trio (see track #83) makes its first public appearance. To capture the atmosphere of the performance we post the 2nd, 3 rd and 4th improvisations as played live.

Rodrigo Amado – tenor saxophone
Miguel Mira – violoncelo
Gabriel Ferrandini – drums

Recorded live at Braço de Prata, Lisbon, 29 May 2008
(photos: Rui Portugal)

ABDUL MOIMÊME

FREEMUSIC posts two untitled solo pieces by Abdul Moimême in commemoration of its beginning, two years ago. The two improvised pieces where recorded live, without the aid of electronics or any sort of editing. The existing reverb is achieved through the natural resonance of the open guitar strings.

Abdul Moimême – electric guitar

Recorded: Lisbon, 23 May 2008
(photo: AM)

ABDUL MOIMÊME

Abdul Moimême – electric guitar

Recorded: Lisbon, 23 May 2008
(photo: AM)

F.R.I.C.S.

FANFARE [f--n'fâr'] American Heritage Dictionary - noun
1. Music: A loud flourish of brass instruments, especially trumpets.
2. A spectacular public display.

Positioned in the crossroads where Portuguese folklore, military fanfares and free jazz meet, F.R.I.C.S. (Wooden Spoon Creative Improvised Fanfare) is an improvisation collective from the city of Porto. The following 3 tracks catch F.R.I.C.S. on its first anniversary, at the world renowned Porto club ‘Maus Hábitos’, during its tour of all Portuguese county capitals, performed in alphabetical order… needless to say, a Herculean task! This chamber orchestra is directed by a small TV set through which Dr. Hostilino (a retired army sergeant) directs his musicians.

Mr. Almeida – trumpet, whistling
Mr. Costa - percussion
Mr. Fernandes – electric double bass
Mr. Martins - saxophones
Mr. Ricardo – analogical synthesizer
Mr. Saldanha - bombardon, trombone
Mr. Silva - xilophone, Organet
Dr Hostilino - tele-maestro
+
Mr. Moimême (guest) – tenor saxophone

Link for F.R.I.C.S: http://www.myspace.com/fanfarraimprovisada

Recorded Live at Maus Hábitos, Porto, 15 December 2007

F.R.I.C.S.

Same musicians as in track #99
Recorded Live at Maus Hábitos, Porto, 15 December 2007

F.R.I.C.S.

Same musicians as in track #99
Recorded Live at Maus Hábitos, Porto, 15 December 2007

MOIMÊME / PINHEIRO / FAUSTINO + TRAVASSOS

Abdul Moimême – tenor sax
Rodrigo Pinheiro – piano
Hernâni Faustino – double bass
+
Travassos (guest) - electronics


Recorded Live at Fabrica Braço de Prata, Lisbon, 19 April 2008
(photo: AM)

RODRIGUES / SILVA

Ernesto Rodrigues – violin
João Silva – prepared electric guitar

Recorded Live at Bar O’Século, Lisbon, April 2008
(photo: AM)

A PARTE MALDITA

A Parte Maldita played recently at the OUTFEST, a festival dedicated to music and video. Other acts on the bill where: David Maranha, Uton, One Might Add, Peter Bastiaan, Flower/Corsano Duo... Track #94 plays the whole concert divided into 2 pieces.

António Chaparreiro – electric guitar
Nuno Rebelo – electric guitar
Abdul Moimême – tenor sax
Miguel Sá - electronics
Fernando Fadigas - electronics
Jorge Serigado – electric bass
Hernâni Faustino – double bass
Rui Alves - drums

Recorded Live at Outfest, Barreiro, 17 May 2008
(Illustration: “Coffee, always”, by Mazen Kerbaj)

A PARTE MALDITA

For video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iac6z_Amlk

Musicians: same as in track #94.
Recorded Live at Outfest, Barreiro, 17 May 2008

VARIABLE GEOMETRY ORCHESTRA

The VGO was invited by Advanced Custom Development (Novabase group) to participate in its annual event. Being dedicated to innovation in the entrepreneurial sector, the firm invited the VGO to perform as an example of innovation in the creative sector.

Ernesto Rodrigues - viola, conduction
Gerhard Uebele - violin
Guilherme Rodrigues - cello
Johannes Krieger - trumpet, french horn
Eduardo Chagas - trombone
Nuno Torres - alto saxophone
Bruno Parrinha - clarinet, alto clarinet
Carlos Santos - electronics
Abdul Moimême - electric guitar
Pedro Roxo - double bass
João Parrinha - drums, percussion

Recorded Live at the Advanced Custom Development annual event, Lisbon, 18 April 2008 Recorded by AM, Mastered by Carlos Santos

MISSING DOG HEAD

Ling-Ling’s head had been cut off! The message in the poster of the distressed owner read: “You find Ling-Ling’s head? Someone come into yard, kill dog, cut off head…”

Martin Philadelphy – electric guitar
Chris Janha – electric guitar
Gustavo Costa – drums
+
Abdul Moimême (guest) – tenor sax

Recorded live at Fabrica Braço de Prata, 16 May 2008
Recorded by AM; Mastered by Carlos Santos

MOIMÊME / MIRA / ROXO

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bx3g2kj52s

This newly formed ‘improv’ trio is filmed here in it’s Lisbon. This formation will be exploring both open forms of music as well as structured compositions.

Abdul Moimême - tenor sax;
Miguel Mira - cello;
Pedro Roxo - double bass, electronics.

Recorded Live at Clean Feed record store, Lisbon, 22 Mar. 2008
film courtesy of João Silva
photo: Teresa Huertas from the collection “As Palavras e o Tempo”

VARIABLE GEOMETRY ORCHESTRA

Ernesto Rodrigues invited 10 members of the orchestra, plus Brazilian violinist Luis Loreto, to interpret a composition based on the concept of "near silence". The piece was divided into 8 different sections.

Ernesto Rodrigues - composition, conduction, electric violin
Luiz Moretto - violin
Jean-Marc Charmier - trumpet, flugelhorn
Eduardo Chagas - trombone
Bruno Parrinha - alto clarinet
João Pedro Viegas - bass clarinet
Alípio Carvalho Neto -soprano & tenor saxophone
Lizuarte Borges - alto saxophone
Peter Baastian - melodica
Armando Gonçalves Pereira - accordion, piano
Nuno Rebelo - electric guitar
Abdul Moimême - electric guitar

Recorded Live at ZDB, Lisbon, 22 Mar. 2008
(photo: AM)

NIKOLAUS GERSZEWSKI

German composer/conductor, Nikolaus Gerszewski, played two concerts in Lisbon. ‘Ordinary Music for Mixed Ensemble & Live-electronics’ was played live at Fabrica Braço de Prata, with a group of Portuguese musicians (including Italian drummer Gabriel Ferrandini), with Ernesto Rodrigues assisting in the conducting chair.

Nikolaus Gerszewski – composition, conduction, piano
Ernesto Rodrigues – conduction, violin
Guilherme Rodrigues – cello
Bruno Parrinha – alto clarinet
Nuno Torres – alto saxophone
Eduardo Chagas – trombone
Armando Pereira – accordion
Hernâni Faustino – double bass
Pedro Castello Lopes – percussion
Gabriel Ferrandini - drums
Carlos Santos – electronics

(recorded live at Fabrica Braço de Prata, 23 Feb. 2008)

RED TRIO

RED Trio: One of the first trios to hit the Lisbon improvisation scene in 2008. ‘Swing’ starts off as an almost satirical approach to the traditional piano trio repertoire, only to subvert that same idiom with RED’s personal approach.

Rodrigo Pinheiro – piano
Hernâni Faustino – double bass
Gabriel Fernandini – drums

Recorded live at ZDB, Lisbon, 02 Feb. 2008
(recording courtesy of RED Trio)

A PARTE MALDITA

listen at: http://lumpenmusic.podomatic.com/

Abdul Moimeme - tenor sax
António Chaparreiro, Nuno Rebelo - electric guitars
Miguel Sá, Fernando Fadigas - electronics
Hernani Faustino - double bass
Jorge Serigado - electric bass
Rui Alves - drums

Recorded Live at Fabrica Braço de Prata, 10 January 2008
(ilustration by Mazen Kerbaj: "621 (did you hear something?)")

GEORGE HASLAM / ABDUL MOIMÊME

British baritone master George Haslam came to Lisbon to play at the “Livraria de Artes” and “Bar o Século”. After a solo concerto at the “Livraria de Artes” the saxophonist and tarogato player was joined by Abdul Moimême for two more performances. This was the 4th piece played during the first night.

George Haslam – tarogato
Abdul Moimême – clarinet

for George Haslam: http://www.georgehaslam.com

Recorded live at Bar O Século, Lisbon, 01 February 2008
(illustration by: António Jorge Gonçalves, “Lisboa”)

GEORGE HASLAM / ABDUL MOIMÊME

After 3 solo pieces by George Haslam, this was the first duo performance of the second night.

George Haslam – baritone saxophone
Abdul Moimême – tenor saxophone

Recorded live at Bar O Século, Lisbon, 02 February 2008
(illustration by: António Jorge Gonçalves, “London”)

RODRIGO AMADO TRIO

2007 was definitely a very prolific year as far as new Lisbon based ‘improv’ groups where concerned. The Rodrigo Amado Trio appeared on the scene just as the year was ending, with Lisbon based, Brazilian saxophone player, Alipio C. Neto joining in on the fun. The rhythm section, composed by 'fatum' bass player Miguel Mira and drummer Luís Desirat, where also a highlight amongst the many novelties the year had to offer.

Rodrigo Amado – tenor saxophone
Alipio C. Neto – soprano saxophone
Miguel Mira – fatum bass
Luís Desirat - drums

Recorded live at Bacalhoeiro,18 December 2007.
(photos by Cristina Cortez)

THE NIGHT OF THE PURPLE MOON

“The Night of the Purple Moon” is one of the most recent projects that have derived from the Variable Geometry Orchestra’s activity. The members of the present group met, last October, at the orchestra’s concert in the town of Porto, and decided to join forces in an improvisation unit, thus reinforcing the Porto-Lisbon musical axis. The members of the rhythm section, who live in the northern city, participate in numerous other musical projects, where “F.R.I.C.S.”, an improvisation collective and “Lets Go to War”, an independent CD label, are only two of many examples. This group's first gig was played at “Casa Viva”, a collective that heavily promotes social intervention.

Abdul Moimême – tenor saxophone
Henrique Fernandes – electric double bass
Gustavo Costa - drums

for F.R.I.C.S. see www.myspace.com/fanfarraimprovisada
for “Lets Go To War” see: www.letsgotowar.com

Recorded live at Casa Viva, Porto, 16 December 2007.
(photos by Casa Viva, water colours by Miguel Mira)

VARIABLE GEOMETRY ORCHESTRA

Musicians same as in track #80.
Recorded: live at ‘Ler Devagar’, Lisboa, 10 December 2007
(photos: Rui Portugal)

VARIABLE GEOMETRY ORCHESTRA

The VGO close their musical year at the new cultural centre of ‘Ler Devagar’ in Braço de Prata.

Ernesto Rodrigues - conduction
João Camões - viola
Guilherme Rodrigues - cello
Pedro Sousa, Guilherme Leal - electric guitar
Daniel Marques - acoustic guitar
Johannes Krieger, Pedro Portugal - trumpet
Eduardo Chagas - trombone
Gil Gonçalves - tuba, euphonium
Jorge Lampreia flute, soprano saxophone
Fernando Lyra - soprano saxophone
Nuno Torres, lizuarte borges, José pessoa - alto saxophone
Alípio C. Neto, Abdul Moimême - tenor saxophone
João Viegas - bass clarinet
Peter Bastiaan - melodica
Armando Pereira - accordion
Rodrigo Pinheiro - piano
João Silva, Travassos - electronics
Nuno Moita - turntables
Hernâni Faustino, Diogo Palma - double bass
Monsieur Trinité - selected objects
Pedro Castelo Lopes - percussion
Gabriel Ferrandini - drums

Recorded: live at ‘Ler Devagar’, Lisboa, 10 December 2007
(design: Travassos)

SOUNDSCAPE

It is no secret that Freemusic has a particular liking for the music played by Dallas’ great, Dennis Gonzalez. This ‘soundscape’ tries to portray the crystalline clarity of Dennis’ sound by way of this cannon created from material extracted from track #63. The end result was only possible thanks to the space given to the trumpet player by the remaining group.

Soundscape: AM
(‘Book of Spells’, 2006, by AM)

LUCAS / MIRA

This duo is a long lasting musical partnership that now last for well over a decade. The setting for their musical adventures has been exclusively Miguel’s living room, converted into an open door studio. Her the pair explore some free improve that eventually took them towards Miles’ Solar.

João Lucas – upright piano
Miguel Mira – fatum bass

Recorded: 22 November 2007
(oil on canvas by AM, “Two Mimes”, circa 1982)

TRINITÉ / MAGGI / MIRA / PINTO

David Lynch’s eerie 1970s film, “The Grandmother”, was displayed at one of Lisbon’s new clubs, where the sound was totally reinvented, using live instruments which where juxtaposed against the original track.

Monsieur Trinité - various objects
Marcello Maggi – synthesizer
Miguel Mira - fatum bass
João Pinto – electronics, mixing

Film credits:
Written, directed, filmed and animated by David Lynch, 1970
Music and music effects: Tractor
Sound Editing and Mixing: Alan Splet
Sound Effects: David Lynch, Margaret Lynch, Robert Chadwick and Alan Splet
Recorded live

Recorded live at Bacalhoeiros, 04 October 2007
Composed by: Trinité, Maggi, Mira, Pinto

POTLATCH

Jorge Lampreia – soprano saxophone, flute
João Viegas – alto saxophone, bass clarinet
Marcello Maggi – valve trombone, synthesizer
Abdul Moimême – prepared electric guitar
Filipe Sousa – piano, prepared piano
Miguel Mira – fatum bass
Monsieur Trinité – various objects
Luís Desirat – drums, paiste cymbals

Recorded: 09 November 2007
(graphic design: Miguel Mira)

MARCELLO MAGGI / ABDUL MOIMÊME

A new improv duo that will be present at the Creative Fest #1:

Abdul Moimême - prepared electric guitar
Marcello Maggi - roland synhthesizer

Recorded: 07 November 2007

MOIMÊME / MIRA

Abdul Moimême – tenor saxophone
Miguel Mira – fender fretless bass

Recorded: 30 Oct. 2007, Lisbon
(Illustration: António Jorge Gonçalves, Cairo)

VARIABLE GEOMETRY ORCHESTRA

The VGO played in Porto’s most prestigious hall - Casa da Música – with a truly intercontinental lineup, including musicians literally from the four corners of the world: New Zealand, Japan, Brazil, USA, Germany Holland and Italy. The Portuguese section joined artists from the two major cities, Lisbon and Porto.

Ernesto Rodrigues – conduction, violin
Chiara Picotto - voice
Ricardo Pinto - trumpet
Johannes Krieger - trumpet, french horn
Eduardo Chagas - trombone
Gil Gonçalves - tuba, euphonium
Bruno Prinha - clarinet, alto clarinet
Jorge Lampreia - flute, soprano saxophone
Alípio C Neto soprano & tenor saxophones
João Martins - soprano & alto saxophones, gadgets
John Gruntfest - alto saxophone
Nuno Torres - alto saxophone
Peter Bastiaan - alto saxophone, melodica, poetry
Megan Bierman - tenor saxophone
Abdul Moimême - tenor saxophone
Rodrigo Pinheiro - piano
Armando Pereira - accordion
Nuno Rebelo - electric guitar
António Chaparreiro - electric guitar
Albrecht loops - strings, electronics
Carlos Santos - electronics
André Gonçalves - electronics
Adriana Sá - electronics
O.Blaat - electronics
Damian Stewart - electronics
João Pinto - electronics
Travassos - electronics
Guilherme Rodrigues - cello
Hernâni Faustino - double bass
Henrique Fernandes - double bass
Pedro Lopes - percussion
José Oliveira - drums
Gustavo Costa - drums

Recorded live at Casa da Música, Porto, 12 Oct 2007

FREEMUSIC plans on posting some musical events of improvised music from the Portuguese and especially the Lisbon scene; eventually expanding it's boundaries to include the Milky Way and the general Outer Cosmos (in the case there's somebody out there)! There are a variety of small clubs where this kind of music is happening on a nearly daily basis. It would be a shame to simply let this music dissolve into the ether. The idea of this podCast is to allow you to sample a small portion of a much larger musical phenomenon that is happening now! We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed playing.

All the art work posted here was conceived by portuguese artists or creators somehow related to the artistic scene in this country.

For more music visit ARCHIVE 1 @: http://archive01.podomatic.com/

Freemusic!