A Flat Of My Own and Impromptu 1 are for solo soprano and alto saxophones respectively which also reflect the pattern of my regular practice regime. There are twelve Impromptu Studies starting with 1 on C and moving chromatically successively through to 12 on B, designed for solo instruments with transposing instruments playing the starting note for that instrument not the transposed one, not least because different scales can present different challenges for different instruments. Preparation for these is based on practise of associated scales, arpeggios, broken chords on C through to B. The actual performances, however, should be played as spontaneously as possible without working out any fixed procedures to pre-determine the outcome, so that each performance becomes unique. Some unexpected title associations can come into play: for example A Flat Of My Own could just as well have been called Impromptu Study No 9 (on Ab), as well as associations with existing pieces/tunes, for example Impromptu Study 10 (on A) fits like a glove with another idea of mine You Can Go If You Want To. So what’s the point of having twelve separate studies to work on? For me it concentrates the musicians mind on the nature of improvisation and spontaneity, whether or not one has a basis to start from, since everything we play has one starting point or another, acting as a springboard for improvisation, and which may not be as arbitrary as one might suppose.
Described as “an ecological history of humanity,” this sparse, tense suite of songs perfectly balances melody and chaos. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 28, 2018
Imbued with spirit, openness, and curiosity, The Sea Ensemble played improvisational music as if they were trying to capture the sound of something greater. Bandcamp Album of the Day Dec 2, 2022