Alabaster Museum Presents:
Cactus Truck with Ava Mendoza
Elliot Levin/ Aaron Martin/Scott Verrastro Trio
David Fishkin/Julius Masri Duo
Sunday, December 14th 8:00 PM
Pageant : Soloveev Gallery
607 Bainbridge St
Philadelphia, PA
$8-$10 sliding scale
Cactus Truck (Amsterdam) with Ava Mendoza (NYC):
“Discovery of the year: Cactus Truck. Young Dutch improvisers (about time!). Sparky and real. -Terrie Ex in his recollections of 2011 in The Wire. “Improvisations of a raw beauty, grinding and chaotic.” - Ab Baars, saxophonist
Cactus Truck creates startlingly intense music, not merely in terms of volume or velocity but through complete physical/psychological surrender. One can find hints of delta blues, early free jazz, Japanese noise, and no wave in the music. Cactus Truck is based in Amsterdam and they’ve collaborated frequently with members of The Ex, including Terrie Ex, Andy Moor, Arnold de Boer (ZEA) and Colin McLean, as well as Ab Baars, Han Bennink, Dave Rempis, Jeb Bishop, Peter Jacquemyn, Teun Verbruggen, Gerri Jaeger (Knalpot) and Jon Rune Strøm. For some dates on tour they will be joined by Ava Mendoza on guitar.
My name is Ava Mendoza. I play guitars and stompboxes and write music. Currently I'm based out of Brooklyn, NY, having recently relocated here from Oakland, CA. I have played guitar for most of my life and been active for the last decade playing my own music and in many different groups. In any context I try to bring expressivity, energy and a wide sonic range to the music I play. I've toured throughout the U.S. and Europe and recorded or performed with a broad spectrum of musicians including pop-folk band Tune-Yards, Fred Frith (Henry Cow, Art Bears, Massacre), singer Carla Bozulich (The Geraldine Fibbers, Evangelista), Nels Cline (guitar hero of Wilco), members of ROVA saxophone quartet, and more. I like writing for dance, theater and film. I've played on recordings released by labels Weird Forest, Tzadik, Clean Feed, NotTwo, ugEXPLODE, Resipiscent, Tompkins Square, Bridge Records, Edgetone, Table and Chairs, and others.
Elliot Levin/Scott Verrastro (Philadelphia) & Aaron Martin (Washington DC):
Born and based in Philadelphia, pursuing early studies with Michael Guerra (legendary saxophonist/clarinetist of Philadelphia Orchestra under Stokowski); and composer/flutist Claire Polin (collaborator with flute innovator William Kincaid). Studied music and creative writing at the U. of Oregon. Later studies with masters- pianist/improvisor/composer Cecil Taylor; and saxophonist/improviser/composer Odean Pope led to long time relationships of performing and recording with their ensembles.
A member of many groups in Philadelphia/NYC area over the past 30 years (since the early '70's), he has continued to work with his own ensembles as well including INTERPLAY Ensemble, NEW GHOST, The PHILADELPHIA PHENOMENA to name a few...(collaborating with artists such as Rick Iannacone, Ed Watkins, Marshall Allen, Tyrone Hill, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Calvin Weston, and many others.
Joining him tonight are Alto Sax player Aaron Martin from Washington DC (OOO Trio, New Atlantis, etc) and Scott Verrastro (Kohoutek, et al) for a high energy session!
David Fishkin/Julius Masri Duo(Philadelphia):
David Fishkin was not born so much as he shot out like a cannonball. He started playing saxophone at age 7. Later, he attended Oberlin College. In between semesters, he studied with the great Philadelphia-based saxophone player Odean Pope. Since then, David has worked as a musician and teacher. His current projects include the West Philadelphia Orchestra, Lagomasino/Fishkin and others.
Julius Masri is a percussionist and circuit bender. He has played in: The Electric Simcha, TinMouth, Q-1, Circles, Chakra Khan/Air Pirates, Wolf Vs., KuruKuruPa, LionsHead, GoldenBall, Ex Reverie, Br'er, The Burrs, Unidos Da Filadelfia Samba.
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