JOE MORRIS - THE PROPERTIES OF FREE MUSIC

[Workshop]

Joe Morris is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and improviser. He is the author of the book Perpetual Frontier: The Properties Of Free Music (Riti pub.). He is on the faculty in the Jazz and Contemporary Music Department at New England Conservatory of Music and the Modern American Music Department at Longy School of Music of Bard College. He will conduct a two day workshop using ideas and materials contained in his book which he's put into practice for over 15 years as a teacher. All of these ideas are extracted from decades of use throughout his career as a critically acclaimed performing and recording artist.

The workshop will show how musicians can construct a methodology of their own using whatever ideas and musical materials that matter to them. Our focus will be on discovering and using musical techniques such as pulse (rhythm), melodic invention, sound, and group dynamics and interaction to create spontaneous music. We will discuss how a community of musicians can be developed, the ways in which the building of a community of musicians with a particular direction can result in a unique and vital artistic movement, and as how the individual and cooperative effort of making music can liberate people and change their lives and the lives of others. Our focus will be positive, encouraging, welcoming, and accepting. Everyone will play. Everyone will learn new ways to make music alone and in groups.

Please bring your instruments and be ready to play. Musicians of all levels, (self-taught to virtuoso) all styles and disciplines and all instruments are invited to participate.