the biophony project
Cherry Esplanade
Brooklyn Botanical Garden - 990 Washington Avenue 40.66824 N, 73.96470 W
Biomes Performed
the rhythm in the birds came about from two moments: while on tour and after discussing the parameters of this commission, a band member suggested that I look for the ‘silence in the birds’
following that conversation, I went and sat outside to observe and listen to birds every so often. what struck me in the midst of that silence were the rhythms being communicated and the way that they were being expressed.
each individual bird had its own personal rhythm, personal melody, and personal flight path. yet there were always constantly at least two or three birds, generally in the same vicinity, seemingly working together for the same goal.
their flights, rhythms, and songs weren’t always accurately expressed altogether or in unison; but when brought together, they created beautifully layered textures that moved and flowed together.
This piece revolves around mimicking the motions of birds in a flock – individual variations moving together towards the same direction. While there’s a beginning and end to the piece, everything cycles back on itself much like birds migrating and returning home. The paths of the flock as a whole remain largely the same, but the movement of each individual varies slightly each time
Meet the Artists
New York City-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, and engineer Morgan Guerin has achieved much in his young, burgeoning career. From composition to appearances on significant stages, Guerin has spent his life exploring new and exciting ways to navigate sound…
Drummer and producer Kobi “Trenchfoot” Abcede, a.k.a !KOBI, brings propulsive rhythmic prowess and a jazz-tinged harmonic palette to any musical context from LA to New York. Combining futuristic synth loops with fiery live drums, he creates soundscapes that reveal his deep knowledge of jazz harmony and its ever-continuing history…
Hannah Marks is a bassist, bandleader, composer, and educator living in New York City. As a bandleader, she has performed at several major festivals, including the Detroit Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Iowa City Jazz Festival, and Indy Jazz Festival…
Nora Stanley is a New York-based saxophonist and composer whose interests and work live at the intersection of composed and improvised music. With strong roots in the jazz, afro-cuban and improvised music traditions, Nora’s music emphasizes interaction and collaboration. Her sound is melody-driven and reaches to expand the possibilities of the harmonic realm…
Dominican-American saxophonist and composer, Alfredo Colon is a proud New York City native. His distinct sound lives at the crossroads of a wide range of experiences and inspirations, from his upbringing in Upper Manhattan, to his Dominican heritage, to his love of musicians with melodic approaches to improvisation, including Sonny Sharrock, Ornette Coleman, and Pharoah Sanders…