2009: Left Coast Improv Group

Tom Nunn, Doug Carroll, Michael Cooke, Ron Heglin, Jeff Hobbs, Darren Johntson, Scott R. Looney, Bob Marsh, Jim Ryan, Karen Stackpole

The Left Coast Improv Group (LCIG), created in 2001, is a chamber performance ensemble with a difference. Its mission is to present high quality, totally improvised works for the enjoyment of its audience and the pleasure of its participants. LCIG’s pieces in concert and on record are examples of spontaneous composition. Its approach is basically non-hierarchical, non-arboreal. All the players are composers and directors. There is no ‘leader.’ Although Jim Ryan handles the administrative work, he is simply another player when it comes to making the music. In Deleuzian terms this group is based on a ‘rhizomatic’ rather than ‘arboreal’ structure. Musically this means that the players respond as individuals, making decisions about what to play as the music progresses. They react to one another and the over all sound rather than being bound by a score and a conductor. Musical experience and trust amongst the players is required for this to create good music.

The concept of improvised group composition is certainly not new. No doubt ensemble playing originated in this manner until it eventually become codified in various written and unwritten patterns, rules & compositions; until at some point music came to be regarded more as a formalization in thought or notation, rather than the creation of sounds to be listened to. The San Francisco Bay Area has been one of the major seed beds of improvised music for some time. And the Left Coast Improv Group is dedicated to its continued production and dissemination.

Artist (photo by Photographer)