Tag: musicians

September 26, 2017

Andrea Crossguns

Here is what I know of Andrea Crossguns. She is all heart. She spends her days caring for children and managing an entire staff of teachers; she inspires them, guides them and reminds them of their gifts. She is nurtures chickens, a guinea-pig named “Cutie” and a faithful canine companion named “Joey”.

Andrea prefers to eat one fresh, heavily seasoned fried egg for breakfast with a hot cup of coffee, egg first, coffee later. She is easily moved to tears. She is a brave and brilliant musician, an intense and deliberate poet, an active member of her community. She needs to hike and deeply breathe mountain air often in order to feel most alive.

When Andreas paints, she lets her brush lead the way and surrenders her expectations of what will occur. The result is a collection of work that comes from the deep. Vivid colors that overlap and collide in unexpected ways. Pieces that continue to unfold the longer you view them. Each and every painting of Andrea’s includes a poem, hand-written, rolled and attached to the back of the piece, only to be opened and read by the owner.

Right now- there are 13 Andrea Crossguns paintings hanging in 1+1=1 Gallery. Stop in and feel their power. We’ll make you a cup of hot tea (or coffee) while you absorb.

September 5, 2017

Tari Nelson-Zagar Violin Concert Sept 24

Tari Nelson Zagar at 1+1=1

We’re excited to have Seattle violinist, Tari Nelson Zagar, back in her hometown at Sound Gallery this month. If you attended last year’s performance by Tari, you know it was a rare treat and we had a full house.

In this performance Nelson-Zagar brings another evening of sound exploration to the gallery, using found sound, improvisation, and discovering new music conversations hidden in old treasures. You might hear jazz standards, a virtuosic violin concerto, or an old cowboy song. You might want to bring all the bells you own, too!

July 31, 2017

Downtown Helena First Friday Tabla Jazz Fusion and Indian appetizers

Join us Friday, August 4th for Downtown Helena’s First Friday celebration!

We have a fun family-friendly special event planned for the evening.

Veggie Pakoras and ice cold chai by Ishinder Kaur … Live performance of Tabla-Jazz Fusion by Jaskrit and Haransh Singh from 5:30 to 7:45 or so.

Hope you can make it to the 400 Block anytime between 5 and 8pm. Homemade traditional Indian appetizers will be served until the food and drink are gone. We’ll have other cool beverages for those who don’t want chai. 😉

While you’re enjoying the music and refreshments, take in our current exhibit, the First Annual Art Jewelry and Figurative Art Invitational, and check out what we’ve put up in the Back Gallery. As always, we offer the best (!) gift wrapping in town — it’s free and given with love.

We know there are many events happening this weekend, and Friday in particular. Consider spending a little time supporting your very special downtown before or after you attend another event!

Come listen to Jaskrit and Haransh Singh’s fabulous fusion of Indian tabla and jazz music, then head over to the Herb & Garden, Funky Trunk, Aizada Imports and JMac’s Pottery. AND — Don’t miss the 3rd anniversary party of Mountain Sage Gallery right across the street from 1+1=1. They’re planning a fun birthday-bash.

Everything is free! We hope to see you at the gallery. Call 431-9931 for more info.

April 10, 2017

Diagenesis Duo World Premiere in Helena

Diagenesis Duo at 1+1=1

Thursday May 4th, 2017

Please join us for a world premiere of Different Kinds of Light, and more fabulous sound-magic. Diagenesis Duo performs at Sound Gallery on May 4th. Can’t wait to experience this performance!

Sound Gallery May Performance: Diagenesis Duo

Where: 1+1=1 Gallery 434 N. Last Chance Gulch
When: Thursday, May 4, 2017 … 7:00 to 9pm
What: from 7 to 7:30, complimentary wine with delicious snacks and socializing
MUSIC STARTS and the house lights go down — promptly at 7:30.

How much? No ticket charge for the concert. A pay-what-you-can donation goes to the musicians. All Sound Gallery concerts have no charge, but we gratefully accept donations large or small, so we can pay the musicians and tune the piano. We appreciate your generosity. Thank you!

Seating is very limited. We strongly recommend that you call, text or email us to reserve your seat(s). Call/text the gallery at 406.431.9931 or email [email protected] to reserve your seats.

DIAGENESIS DUO comes to Sound Gallery to present their latest project, Different Kinds of Light, a concert inspired by the experimental poetry of Jackson Mac Low. Mac Low was a pioneer in chance and open poetry and created poems that could be performed as music. Featured in the concert will be Mac Low’s Tree Movie, Young Turtle Asymmetries, 54th Light Poem, and Numbered Asymmetries, and a world premiere of Different Kinds of Light, a composition for soprano and cello by Marti Epstein which sets Jackson Mac Low’s 1st Light Poem. This combination of text scores, graphic scores, and contemporary music create a contemplative and unrepeatable evening of chance music and poetry.

DIAGENESIS DUO is Heather Barnes (soprano) and Jennifer Bewerse (cello). Diagenesis Duo has been performing together since 2010 and has been able to commission and premiere many new works for soprano and cello. Diagenesis frequently performs concerts that facilitate a dialogue between the audience and performers with the goal of building an empowered audience for contemporary music.

For more information, visit www.diagenesisduo.com

Composer Marti Epstein is also an active pianist and a devoted teacher. She plays prepared piano with guitarist David Tronzo in the Epstein/Tronzo Duo, is Professor of Composition at Berklee College of Music, where she has taught harmony, counterpoint, and composition since 1991, and is also on the faculty of Boston Conservatory.

For more information, visit www.marti-epstein.squarespace.com.

PROGRAM

Tree Movie by Jackson Mac Low (1961)
Five Young Turtle Asymmetries by Jackson Mac Low (1967)
Different Kinds of Light by Marti Epstein (2016)
54th Light Poem by Jackson Mac Low (1978)
Numbered Asymmetries by Jackson Mac Low (1960)

Yep. Sound Gallery in Helena Montana is one of those places. Come hear a LIVE performance. Original jazz. improvisational jazz. art-jazz. NEW MUSIC. and fall in love with it. and come again. and again. see you!

Sound Gallery concerts are …

… original, new, sometimes experimental music performances although occasionally we feature artists who mix pieces by other composers and musicians into their program. We have also featured poetry and spoken-word performances and hope to expand our offerings to performances of any kind that fit the mission of Sound Gallery. We appreciate all of you folks who continue to support live music and this venue for performing arts in an intimate setting such as our art gallery.

Call 406.431.9931 for more information about the performance, or to reserve your seat.

Don’t wait! We have only 48 seats total.

March 22, 2017

Syrinx Effect to Perform at Sound Gallery

photo ©Daniel Sheehan

Syrinx Effect at 1+1=1

Saturday April 15th, 2017

Please join us at 1+1=1 Gallery for another great original music concert. Syrinx Effect on April 15th. Last summer jazz lovers were delighted by Naomi Moon Siegel’s solo trombone performance at Sound Gallery. We immediately bought her new album, Shoebox View, and play it all the time at our gallery.

Welp. Here’s another opportunity to hear Naomi — this time in an acoustic-electric duo with music partner, Kate Olson. Together they are Syrinx Effect. They describe their music as “interstellar folk punk jazz.” Can’t wait to hear it!

Sound Gallery September Performance: SYRINX effect

Where: 1+1=1 Gallery 434 N. Last Chance Gulch
When: Saturday, April 15 … 7:00 to 9pm
What: from 7 to 7:30, complimentary wine with decadent chocolate desserts.
MUSIC STARTS and the house lights go down — promptly at 7:30.

Seating is very limited. We strongly recommend that you call, text or email us to reserve your seat(s). Call/text the gallery at 406.431.9931 or email [email protected] to reserve your seats.

Naomi Moon Siegel

Kate Olson

Naomi Moon Siegel, photo by Daniel Sheehan

Kate Olson, photo by Steve Korn

Naomi Moon Siegel

Kate Olson, photo by Steve Korn

Naomi Moon Siegel

Naomi Moon Siegel at Sound Gallery 2016

Come downtown on Saturday evening, April 15th — have an early dinner at Toi’s Thai across the street, then stroll on over, enjoy some decadent chocolate desserts and a glass of wine along with Naomi’s and Kate’s awesome edgy tunes. Be surprised. Be delighted. Be cultured. 😉

Here’s a blurb from the Syrinx website:

An acoustic-electric duo with endless possibilities, Syrinx Effect plays their own blend of folk punk jazz. They easily switch between dreamy ambient loops, catchy pop riffs and found sounds, all the while paying homage to their free improv roots. Naomi plays trombone with guitar pedals and Kate plays soprano saxophone with laptop and other toys. The duo got its start curating the Racer Sessions in Seattle, and has gone on to perform prolifically around the US, collaborating with many of the mainstays of the improvised music scene such as Wayne Horvitz, Robin Holcomb, Elliott Sharp, Bobby Previte, Stuart Dempster, Allison Miller, Rene Hart.

Syrinx Effect makes music that is authentic and expressive, employing everything from simple folk melodies to abstract, ambient noise. Each piece is a meditation, an exploration, and sometimes a romp.

Kate Olson

Just grabbed this excellent excerpt from Seattle’s SB Hopper blog — the author has a way of expressing what I’ve been trying to put to words since Sound Gallery first started a couple years ago. Here:

I’ve never regretted going to a jazz show. Each time I’ve left thinking that I needed to do that more often. And then several months slip by again, just like exercise. … You’ve got to be in the right mood, you’ve got to know a good place, and you’ve got to be with people who are into it …. There’s no need to be an expert. I can’t name a single track by Thelonious Monk. I think the trick is finding a place you like, making a point of going once in a while, and appreciating the talents of musicians for whom jazz is an art that celebrates tradition but embraces improvisation.

Yep. Sound Gallery in Helena Montana is one of those places. Come hear a jazz performance. Original jazz. improvisational jazz. art-jazz. and fall in love with it. and come again. and again. see you!

Sound Gallery concerts are …

Call 406.431.9931 for more information about the performance, or to reserve your seat.

Don’t wait! We have only 48 seats total.

September 22, 2016

Bob Nell Acclaimed Jazz Pianist

Bob Nell in Concert Sunday September 25th, 2016

Please join us at 1+1=1 Gallery for another fabulous performance of original music — this time, Bozeman composer and performer extraordinaire Bob Nell performs his own jazz piano solos.

innovative. tender. Unpredictable. Extraordinary. Sublime. Brilliant. Simply Great. Words and phrases used to describe Bob Nell and his music.

The MASTER is coming to town. Bob Nell transcends genre. He is one of the most gifted composer/performer’s to come from Montana. Music lovers of all stripes – this concert IS NOT TO BE MISSED! ~Bob Packwood

Sound Gallery September Performance: Bob Nell

Where: 1+1=1 Gallery 434 N. Last Chance Gulch
When: Sunday, Sept 25 7:00 to 9pm
What: from 7 to 7:30, complimentary beverage & snacks served.
MUSIC STARTS and the house lights go down — promptly at 7:30.

How much? No ticket charge for the concert. Pay-what-you-can donation.
Sound Gallery concerts have no charge, but we gratefully accept donations large or small, so we can pay the musicians and tune the piano. We appreciate your generosity. Thank you!

Seating is very limited. We strongly recommend that you call, text or email us to reserve your seat(s). Call/text the gallery at 406.431.9931 or email [email protected] to reserve your seats.

Sound Gallery concerts are …

Call 406.431.9931 for more information about the performance, OR to reserve your seat.

Don’t wait! We have only 46 seats total.

September 22, 2016

Sound Gallery Founder Honored with Award

M.J. Williams, founder of Sound Gallery in Helena Montana, and acclaimed jazz vocalist, trombonist and composer, is one of five distinguished Montana artists who will be honored in December, 2016, as a recipient of the Governor's Arts Award. The other honorees are Jack Gladstone, Neal and Karen Lewing, Rick Newby and Patrick Zentz.

The awards ceremony will be held on December 2nd, 2016 at 3:00 pm at the Montana State Capitol.I am so proud to say that I know and work with Willie! I'll be there!

April 1, 2016

April’s First Friday No Foolin

Please Join us for a Festive April 1st

April’s First Friday is tonight and we want you to celebrate with us, the return of Montana’s Spring-ish weather. Friday, April 1 from 5 to 9pm. Live music somewhere in the middle of the evening.

Historic Downtown Helena gets together the first Friday of each month and stays open late for the enjoyment and convenience of community members.

It’s always a great date idea. Businesses are open from 5 to 9pm, and many have refreshments, special sales and other events. The Holter has their Corks N’ Canvas event; the Turman Larison Contemporary has an art opening this time; Cindy Hanson has the best (!) new fresh flowers in her shop this week. Downtown restaurants are always open when you’re ready for a full meal or dessert. Lots of art galleries. Lots of fun. Come discover shops you rarely or never visit!

At 1+1=1 Gallery, we almost always have live music and special food, wine and other beverages. This month we’re serving a Pinot Grigio and a Red Blend paired with Triple Cream Camembert and Irish Dubliner Special Sharp cheeses … chewy baguettes and whole grain crackers. We also have non-alcohol beverages.

March 8, 2016

An Evening of Irish Delight

Last Friday, downtown Helena’s First Friday for March, we hosted a fabulous evening of 18th century Irish music, Irish food (and some non-Irish green food) local micro-brewery beer and great art. I think it was our best First Friday yet. The acoustics in the gallery are just right for music — and Queen City Consort sounded perfect, playing in the center of the gallery. Although we didn’t set out to make this a “concert,” the music was so lovely that people just wanted to hang out and stay longer than usual. So we brought some chairs up from the basement and had quite a crowd.

Thank you to Suzy Holt, Lee Harrison, Vic Reiman and Nan Parrett for playing two sets of Turlough O’Carolan’s compositions. Cello and three recorders. A cozy, welcome atmosphere and appreciative listeners made for a delightful evening.

I promised some of our gallery visitors I would publish my recipes for the Irish Soda Bread and the green dip I made. So here they are:

March 4, 2016

March First Friday All About Earthy Irish culture

Please join us at 1+1=1 Gallery for an evening of Irish food and music from the 18th century by Queen City Consort

Date Night Idea

Drop in between 5:30 and 7pm and stay for a few minutes or as long as you’d like to listen to this fine group and enjoy some great Irish-inspired food and drink! It’s a great idea for date night — many downtown businesses are open, including restaurants, galleries and boutiques, for your fun and convenience. First Fridays have been going on in downtown Helena for over a year and are gaining popularity and momentum. You can even paint your own painting at Corks n Canvas at the Holter Museum of Art after you come by the shops on the 400 block.