Something Else! Festival

Alien Radio is the Canadian creative music power trio of clarinetist François Houle, bassist James Meger, and percussionist Joe Sorbara. These stalwart sonic adventurers come together as often as the universe allows to breathe life into a diverse book of compositions penned by Houle and Sorbara as well as free jazz and experimental music luminaries such as Anthony Braxton, John Carter, and Steve Lacy. In November 2019, Toronto-based saxophonist and clarinetist, Ted Crosby, filled in for François on a short tour of Québec and Southern Ontario that included a beautiful night at Zula House in Hamilton. On this occasion, as a special present to Hamilton, we get to hear them as a quartet for the first time ever.

Best known for his work in jazz, as a tubaist, brass specialist, Marcus Rojas is a longtime member of Spanish Fly and has played on over 300 recordings. He has performed and/or recorded with a wide range of musicians, including They Might Be Giants, John Zorn, Henry Threadgill, Sly & Robbie and Foetus.

The unique Montreal duo of double bassist Nicolas Caloia and vocalist Kim Zombik offer an elegant, skeletal take on song. Sitting between the carefully mapped-out and daringly freeform, between popular sensibilities and avant garde restlessness, Silvervest’s sonic identity is clear and palpably melodic.

(Seattle/Vancouver/Melbourne)
Festival Curated Ensemble
Robin Holcomb piano, vocals
Torsten Müller double bass
Dylan van der Schyff drums

(BC)
Peggy Lee · cello
Josh Zubot · violin
JP Carter · trumpet
Dan Gaucher · drums
James Meger · bass
Cole Schmidt · guitar
Sick Boss is an improvising chamber jazz ensemble with inspirations ranging from experimental, improvised, avant-garde and jazz to rock, punk and electronic music. Sick Boss has established an immediately recognizable sound as the band explores episodic compositions that are continually on the move.