http://inter-muse.com/blog/exclusives/2011/05/03/thollem-mcdonas-plays-the-old-reliable-kurtzmann/

Thollem McDonas Plays the Old Reliable Kurtzmann from Michal Shapiro on Vimeo.

There isn’t much information out there about Kurtzmann pianos. This one is an old warhorse in the main room of the Tribes Gallery, a long standing East Village salon of new music and poetry.

Pianist Thollem McDonas improvised a piece reminiscent of a storm-tossed sea, and when it was all over, he fished a splintered hammer (a Db, I think) out of the piano.

The occasion was a CD release party for ESP Records.

TONIGHT’S SPONTANEOUS CONSTRUCTION WILL FEATURE:

ANDREW D’ANGELO

Andrew D’Angelo’s charismatic presence and iconoclastic musical ambition have been well-established over the course of his twenty year plus career and his key roles in bands like Human Feel, the Matt Wilson Quartet and Tyft. His dedication to pushing his limits and his willingness to delve into new musical areas have been powerful inspirations to his peers and to a new generation of improvisors. His forceful tone and aggressive improvisational style have made him one of the most influential alto saxophonists of his time.

GREG SAUNIER:

In 1992, Greg Saunier, having recently graduated with a degree in music composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, joined a short-lived San Francisco quartet called Nitre Pit, on drums. In March 1994, when this quartet broke up suddenly with shows still booked, Saunier and then-bassist Rob Fisk decided to continue as a duo. They quickly devised a convulsive, improvisatory playing style to make up for their lack of material and stark instrumentation.One such show where Fisk and Saunier were called upon to substitute for their former band was the 1995 Yo Yo A Go Go Festival in Olympia, WA. In the audience was Slim Moon, founder of the independent Olympia record label Kill Rock Stars. Moon signed Nitre Pit (as they were still known at that point) on for one 7â?³ single, at which point the duo renamed themselves Deerhoof.

THOLLEM McDONAS

Thollem’s perpetual travels have covered much of the North American continent and Europe. In the past 6 years he has added more than 20 albums to his discography on 9 different vanguard labels in 4 different countries. His music is diverse, approaching each album and concert uniquely, often resulting in dramatically new and different outcomes. Not long after birth Thollem began studying the keyboard repertoire from the medieval to the 20th century. After graduating with degrees in both piano performance and composition he dedicated his time for years in grassroots political and environmental movements before returning to his own music with his full focus. He is currently performing and recording as a soloist, in collaboration with many other individuals and groups as well as leading improvisation workshops. He is also the founding director of Estamos Ensemble.