2005: Bob Marsh & David Michalak

A well seasoned improviser whose work has involved shaping sounds words images ideas, Bob Marsh originally from Detroit, arrived in the Bay Area in 2000 after ten years in Chicago where he played with most of the avant improvisers in that rich and varied scene. Since his arrival on the west coast, multi-instrumentalist and composer Marsh has been busy with several projects. He currently leads or directs String Theory, a string ensemble focusing on textures and microtonics; the Che Guevarra Memorial Marching (and Stationary) Accordion Band, structured and free improv for six to fifteen accordions; Robot Martians, electronics and processed voice; the Out of the Blue Chamber Ensemble, a mixture of reeds and strings; Opera Viva, voiced physical theater; the Quintessentials, a quintet specializing in interpreting graphic compositions based on alterations to the Michelin Road Guide to France; and the Illuminated Orchestra, structured improves for large ensemble. Additionally Marsh is a member of Romus/Diaz-Infante”s Abstractions, Jim Ryan”s Left Coast Improv Group, Moe! Staiano”s Moe!chestra and Tom Bickley”s Cornelius Cardew Choir. Bob Marsh tours frequently with his long term partner saxophonist Jack Wright. Bob has recently been presenting a solo work involving violin, voice and tap shoes. Marsh's educational background includes a BFA in sculpture and an MA in humanistic clinical psychology. He has studied classical piano, classical guitar and vibraphone and has taught himself various other instruments. He currently is active with cello, accordion, violin, voice, vibraphone and electronics.

Plays Well With Others: Jim Baker, John Berndt, Tom Bickley, Jeb Bishop, Kyle Bruckmann, Gust Burns, Gene Coleman, George Cremaschi, Matt Davingon, Ernesto Diaz-Infante, Dina Emerson, Bryan Eubanks, R. Albert Falesch, John Finkbeiner, Tara Flandreau, Stephen Flinn, Jonathon Fretheim, Carol Genetti, Greg Goodman, Morgan Guberman, Greg Hamilton, Chris Heenan, Ron Heglin, Jeff Hobbs, Matt Ingalls, Kurt Johnson, Aurora Josephson, Andrew Lafkas, Adam Lane, Eric Leonardson, Jacob Lindsay, Fred Longberg-Holm, Toshi Makihara, Tatsuya Nakatani, Tom Nunn, Suki O”Kane, Garth Powell, Bhob Rainey, Hal Rammell, Rent Romus, Scott Rosenberg, Jim Ryan, Joe Sabella, Jonathon Segel, John Shiurba, Blaise Siwula, David Slusser, Damon Smith, Adam Sonderberg, Karen Stackpole, Grant Strombeck, Tom Swafford, Ken Vandermark, Matt Weston, Sue Wolf, Theresa Wong, Michael Zelner, Michael Zerang.

David Michalak Since 1971 I've made over 50 films with original soundtracks. Here are some highlights. I worked exclusively in super-8 for ten years, completing over 25 films, including 3 features. I was a guest writer for White Ox Films in Rochester, N.Y. and for the international magazine Super-8 Filmmaker in San Francisco. In 1978 I moved to San Francisco and started my own mail-order record business called EARWAX to produce 16mm films. Dreamlife my first 16mm film was premiered at the landmark Castro Theatre in S.F. in 1982. A soundtrack Picture Disc Lp of original music was released later in that year. A two-part Retrospective of my work was held in S.F. from 1992 - 1993. Part 1, When Dinosaurs Roamed The Earth, was held at The No Nothing, and Part 2 Eye-Full Films Revisited at the Cinematheque. In 1996 I completed Inside-Out, which featured The Kate Foley Dance Company and a score written with Nik Phelps and performed by the Club Foot Orchestra. The film had it's premiere with the orchestra playing live, at The Victoria Theatre in S.F. as part of my 2nd Retrospective called 25 Years Of Eye-Full Films. In 1999, after 10 years of work, I premiered When The Spirit Moves, a mystical fairy-tale featuring (Joe Goode) dancer Vong Phrommala and silent-movie style actress Billie-Marie Gross, at The Film Arts Festival. After nearly 30 years of filmmaking and over 50 completed films a soundtrack trio was formed to play live scores for my movies. The group, called “Reel Change”, started as a trio and has featured: Andrew Voigt (woodwinds), Joe Sabella (samples), David Michalak (lap steel), Phillip Greenlief (saxophones), Adam Hurst (cello), George Cremaschi (Contrabass), Tom Nunn (Homemade Instruments), Kyle Bruckman (double reeds), Thersa Wong (cello) and Tom Djll (trumpet). Reel Change performed a live score for the 1928 silent film, Fall Of The House Of Usher, at Yerba Buena Center For The Arts, somArts and The Exploratorium. The band released it’s first soundtrack CD this year called, “Open In Total Darkness.” A second CD will be released in 2006 featuring soundtracks for the films of Maya Deren. In 2004 I started a new group called “Ghost In The House” and am currently mixing a new CD entitled “Sleepwalk.” The group features Karen Stackpole, Kyle Bruckman and Tom Nunn. In early 2005 Bob Marsh and I started a duo called, “Dr. Bob”. We are currently recording a CD and will perform at The Edge Tone Festival this July.

Some of the other musicians who I have played with live or on soundtracks include: J.A. Deane, Bruce Ackley, Carla Kihlstedt, Matt Brubeck, Dean Santomeiri, Beth Custer, Club Foot Orchestra, Damon Smith, Ed Herman, Doug Carroll, Jim Heron, Myles Boisen, George Cremaschi, Ron Heglin, Karen Stackpole and Monday Night Music. On occasion I have also played and showed films with Nik Phelp's Sprocket Ensemble.

Artist (photo by Photographer)