High Zero is the premier festival of Improvised, Experimental music on the East Coast, being fully devoted to new collaborations between the most inspired improvisors from around the world.

The festival exposes large audiences to this radical music in its pure form. Large-scale public concerts, recording sessions, workshops, and guerilla street performances are all part of the heady mix. The players are carefully selected by the festival's organizers for their intense, unique music, whether it is based around dramatic intensity, humor, specially designed instruments, original approach, raw sound, or nearly superhuman instrumental technique. The resulting collaborations challenge the limits of music and delight by their audacity, expressiveness, immediacy, and innovation. It isn't about stars or established projects; it is about the most uncompromising and stimulating new improvised music we can bring together.

Schedule Of Events:

September 19, 2024

Solo
Sam Pluta electronics

Set 1
Darien Baiza drums
Bonnie Lander voice
Jamal Moore reeds, percussion, electronics
Chris Williams trumpet

Set 2
Ishmael Ali cello, SP-404
CK Barlow sampling
Rachel Beetz flute, electronics

Set 3
Thomas Florin piano
Tom Leonardson synthesizer
The Emperor King Bishop: Solomon Selassie sax, keys, bass, electronics, voice
Luc Vitk accordian, hichiriki, synth, drums

Set 4
Titania Berti violin
Che Davis trombone
Putu Tangkas Adi Hiranmayena Balinese gamelan
Roman Norfleet voice, reeds, electronics, percussion

6:00pm - High Zero Parade

Marching to cross-rhythms with strange instruments and extended techniques, the High Zero Parade is a long-standing tradition on the first night of the festival.

All are welcome. Bring a loud instrument. Percussion and low brass especially welcome.

Meet at Baltimore Theatre Project at 6pm. Parade will start moving at 6:15 headed up Maryland to Layafayette St. over to Charles Theatre, down Charles St. to Biddle, west to the Meyerhoff, and then back to BTP. This should take approximately 35 minutes.

September 20, 2024

The Night of Randomization
As an ongoing tradition, the High Zero Festival will leave Friday Night's sets up to chance. Sixteen performers will be divided into four sets, randomly. What kind of wonderful, unplanned, musical collisions will happen this year.

Solo
Luc Vitk accordian, hichiriki, synth, drums

Randomized Participants
Ishmael Ali cello, SP-404
Darien Baiza drums
CK Barlow sampling
Titania Berti violin
Obie Feldi computer
Thomas Florin piano
Putu Tangkas Adi Hiranmayena Balinese gamelan
Mary Staubitz objects
Tom Leonardson synthesizer
Mickey Lusk harp
Patrick McMinn trumpet, electronics
Sam Newsome soprano sax with horn preparations
Roman Norfleet voice, reeds, electronics, percussion
Chris Williams trumpet
Adam Zanolini bass, flute

September 21, 2024

Solo
Sam Newsome soprano sax with horn preparations

Set 1
Rachel Beetz flute, electronics
Che Davis trombone
Sam Pluta electronics
Luc Vitk accordian, hichiriki, synth, drums
Adam Zanolini bass, flute

Set 2
Obie Feldi computer
Bonnie Lander voice
Tom Leonardson synthesizer

Set 3
Jamal Moore reeds, percussion, electronics
Roman Norfleet voice, reeds, electronics, percussion
The Emperor King Bishop: Solomon Selassie sax, keys, bass, electronics, voice
Adam Zanolini bass, flute

Set 4
Titania Berti violin
Mickey Lusk harp
Patrick McMinn trumpet, electronics
Mary Staubitz objects

September 22, 2024

Solo
Rachel Beetz flute, electronics

Set 1
Che Davis trombone
Thomas Florin piano
Bonnie Lander voice
Sam Newsome soprano sax with horn preparations
Chris Williams trumpet

Set 2
Putu Tangkas Adi Hiranmayena Balinese gamelan
Mickey Lusk harp
Jamal Moore reeds, percussion, electronics

Set 3
CK Barlow sampling
Obie Feldi computer
Sam Pluta electronics
Mary Staubitz objects

Set 4
Ishmael Ali cello, SP-404
Darien Baiza drums
Patrick McMinn trumpet, electronics
The Emperor King Bishop: Solomon Selassie sax, keys, bass, electronics, voice

Date: September 19-22, 2024

Time:
Doors open at 7:30pm.
Shows start at 8:30pm sharp

Location: the Baltimore Theatre Project. 45 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201

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