KOOK – Jorn Erik Ahlsen (guitar / live electronics), Stian Larsen (guitar / live electronics) duo

Young Norwegian guitar duo playing animated ambient music with its heart rooted in free improvisation. We are very pleased to host the UK debut for this intriguing duo.
http://www.kookmusic.co.nr/

Diatribes – Cyril Bondi (floor tom / objects), d’incise (laptop / objects) duo

Formed in 2004, and based in Geneva, Diatribes employ a range of objects, percussion and electronics to produce a dense sound, creating a tension between linearity and cuts combined with a developed acoustic sensibility, that layers textures and drones in an engaging soundscape. Mopomoso debut.
http://www.dincise.net/diatribes/diatribes.html

Phil Minton (voice) / John Russell (guitar) duo

The leading vocalist of his generation, Minton’s remarkable abilities are sought around the world in a wide range of contexts. This duo with guitarist Russell gives full rein to both their capabilities in a free flowing exchange of musical ideas. At times visceral, at others cerebral, the music allows the listener to ‘get up close’ to the music as it unfolds in real time. A truly captivating experience.
http://www.philminton.co.uk/ http://www.john-russell.co.uk

Two Figures in a Vortex – a short film by Helen Petts, featuring John and Phil and filmed at The Vortex in 2009

Dario Fariello solo saxophone

Adam Linson (bass / electronics) / John Russell (guitar) duo

John Russell has given workshops in free improvisation for Bedfordshire Education, The Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Offene Ohren Munich, Ivan Illich School Bologna, Centro Cultural Sao Paulo and as offshoots to his own Quaqua projects. He has also taught Jazz guitar at the City Literary Institute and worked in youth and adult education schemes for the London Borough´s of Camden, Harringey, Westminster and Wandsworth.

Workshops in free improvisation are generally open for players of all abilities and any instrumentation and can be tailored to suit the circumstance. In general subjects include listening, the nature of sound, ways to interact with other players, the nature of free improvisation, getting the most from your instrument and optimising your capabilities. A number of participatory exercises and structures evolved from working with other musicians are used in a practical way to highlight different aspects in the music and the overall structure is built towards a live performance programme.

‘Reciprocal Uncles’ -  Gianni Mimmo (sop sax) / Gianni Lenoci (pno) / Christiano Calcagnile (drms) trio

Mark Sanders (drms) / Alison Blunt (vln) / Elaine Mitchener (voc) / John Russell (gtr) quartet

Kay Grant (voice) / Alex Ward (clarinet) duo

John Russell (guitar) / Phil Wachsmann (violin) duo

Stefan Keune (sax) /  Steve Noble (drums) duo

Hannah Marshall (cello) / Paul G Smyth (piano) duo

Satkoko Fukuda (violin) / John Russell (guitar) duo

There are many videos on this page so it will take time to download.

Jean Michel van Schouwburg (voice) / Adam Bohman (electronics) / Jean Jacques Duerinickx (sax) trio

Fernando Perales (prepared guitar / electronics)

‘MOLIMO’ Chefa Alonso (sax-percussion) / Barbara Meyer (cello) / Cova Villages (voice) trio

Edoardo Marraffa (sax) / Nicola Guazzaloca (piano) duo

Pascal Marzan (guitar) / John Russell (guitar) duo

Viv Corringham (voice) / Dave Tucker (guitar) duo

Dominic Lash (bass) / Chris Cundy (clarinets) duo

Yoko Arai (piano) / John Russell (guitar) duo

A welcome chance to hear the remarkable saxophonist in a rare solo visit to this country.

‘Rose transforms the instrument into an orchestra; effect is superseded, or rather transmogrified, moving away from virtuosic display and becoming an essential part of the instrumental language..’

‘free but absolutely logical, the best blend of spontaneity and improvisation imaginable…’ Cadence

Roland Ramanan (trumpet) / Tom Jackson (clarinet) / Daniel Thompson (guitar) trio

Highly thought of London based trio displaying a keen sense of space and intimacy with spirited invention. Credits include John Stevens, London Improviser’s Orchestra, Peter Brotzmann, Keith and Julie Tippet(s) and Paul Dunmall.

Claudia Binder

Zurich based pianist making a welcome return visit. Thoughtful and unforced improvisations invite the listener into an open and naturalistic process of a music unfolding in real time.

Stefan Keune (sax) / John Russell (guitar) duo

Fast reactions and fiery interplay from this long established duo. This, their only UK concert, to be part of an ongoing recording project. Past tours have included Japan, Germany and the UK. Total improvisation without artifice, direct, honest and engaging.