TADPOLE #1: UNA TETRA
DATE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019
TIME: 8:00PM
TICKETS & INFO
Greetings! I’m Laura Reid, violinist and curator of the Tadpole series at Theatre 1308, and I am so excited about introducing this new series with our first concert on November 22. Joining me to perform in this first concert are flautist Jiajia Li, and electronic musicians Whitney Ota and Krzysztof Sujata. We have put together a program created specifically for this event that will explore connections between acoustic and amplified sound, between composed and improvised music, between solo and collective performance. I want this series to be about creating and supporting special performances, encouraging performers to try something new in a spirit of joyful creation. My aim is for this openness to extend to audiences and performers alike, having a shared experience that can stir an expressive spirit. Appreciating that in-between space and the unknown, discovering your own meaning amongst a communal connection.
I look forward to welcoming you to this new series!
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ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:
Classically-trained flutist Jiajia Li is being praised as "one of the city's finest and most adventurous flautists”. She was the 2019 recipient of the classical music residency at National Music Centre; 2016 recipient of Canada’s “Juno” music award micro grant; and the prize winner of “Prinzessin Margaret von Hessen” competition (Germany). Since her arrival in Calgary in 2014, Jiajia has forged her identity through music and performance, cutting across a wide range of modern musical experimentations and traditions. Currently a faculty member at the Mount Royal University Conservatory, Jiajia is an active performer in the city and has appeared in festivals including Sled Island, Calgary New Music Festival, and The Works.
Whitney Ota has been exploring sonic possibilities for over a decade, performing and recording in many formations including the transcendent psychedelia of Burro, the blissful synthetic soundscapes of Yankee Yankee as well as many other projects. Ota has also run an experimental cassette label and distribution company called Unit Structure Sound Recordings, which has recently closed down. He also recently completed a five year term as the Music Director of campus and community radio station CJSW, located at the University of Calgary. Ota has been creating exploratory and adventurous sounds on modular synthesizers for the last seven years in solo and collaborative settings.
Classically trained violinist Laura Reid is a versatile and active member of Calgary's music community. She has an established place in Calgary's Classical scene, with eight years playing as a member of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and countless performances and collaborative work with small ensembles in the city. Her musical efforts extend beyond standard Classical repertoire, having recorded for film scores Empyrean and Circle of Steel, albums for Cam Penner, AM Static, Rachel Fannan, Ethan Cole, The Northwest Passage, performed with Patrick Watson, Sarah Slean, Hermitess, Astral Swans and for the experimental music series Bug Incision. Not confined to performance pursuits, she teaches violin and coaches student chamber groups and hosts the NCRA Best Classical Programming award winning radio show Unprocessed on CJSW 90.9FM.
Krzysztof Sujata is a local musician working within the ambient and electronic genres. Sujata’s works largely involve the use of loops and repetition, creating variety and change in often static elements, and weaving those elements into dynamic structures. Making use of synthesizers, guitars, piano and voice, it is highly melodic music hinting at stories that never quite materialize.