Duo
(Andrea Neumann, Sabine Ercklentz)
+
Quartet
(Andrea Neumann, Sabine Ercklentz, Mark Trayle and Ulrich Krieger)

Saturday, November 1
8 p.m. • $10

 A bit about the performers:

Andrea Neumann – piano
Sabine Ercklentz – trumpet
“Both musicians reduce – if not ignore – old-fashioned instruments: the piano is no longer merely a piano, and the trumpet is not just a trumpet. Translated into avant-garde vocabulary, both Sabine Ercklentz and Andrea Neumann reveal – literally, technically, structurally and formally – one of the eventual futures of both piano and trumpet by laying these instruments bare.” - City of Women, 2006

In the process of exploring the piano for new sound possibilities, Neumann has reduced the instrument to strings, resonance board and metal frame. With the help of electronics to manipulate and amplify the sounds (sometimes to make parts of the sound audible which are inaudible without amplification), she has developed numerous new playing techniques, sounds, and ways of preparing the dismantled instrument.

Ercklentz develops sounds on the trumpet which border between normal trumpet tone and noise (extended sounds). Furthering the possibilities of extended sound techniques comes from the use of live-electronics and analog electronics remixed from an independent sound source.

Mark Trayle – laptop
Mark works in a variety of media including live electronic music, installations, improvisation, and compositions for chamber ensembles. He performs internationally, including t-u-b-e (Munich), DEAF ‘04 (Rotterdam), Resistance Fluctuations (LA), net_condition (ZKM Karlsruhe), Pro Musica Nova, Format5 (Berlin), and Inventionen 2004 (Berlin). “Few musicians go to Mark Trayle’s level of musical and technological extremes.” – Electronic Musicia

Ulrich Krieger – saxophone
Ulrich plays contemporary composed and free improvised music. He is also a composer of chamber music and electronic music. His recent focus lies in the experimental fields and fringes of contemporary pop culture, somewhere in the limbo between noise and heavy metal, ambient and silence. (He has also managed to transcribe and arrange Lou Reeds infamous ‘Metal Machine Music’ for classical instruments.)

Close Lightbox.

Duo: Andrea Neumann + Sabine Ercklentz
Quartet: Andrea Neumann + Sabine Ercklentz + Ulrich Krieger + Mark Trayle
A bit about Ercklentz + Neumann:
“This electro-acoustic duo isn’t just any duo. It has a niche as well as  a spine that is a rare combination. Both musicians reduce – if not  ignore – old-fashioned instruments: the piano is no longer merely a  piano, and the trumpet is not just a trumpet. Translated into  avant-garde vocabulary, both Sabine Ercklentz and Andrea Neumann reveal  – literally, technically, structurally and formally – one of the  eventual futures of both piano and trumpet by laying these instruments bare.”

Robert Pokorny is a secret Long Beach legend: Though some may not know his name, most are familiar with his work. …

As the primary illustrator of the instore show posters for beloved Long Beach music store Fingerprints, Robert Pokorny’s conceptualized visions of independent music icons—running the gamut from Sonic Youth to Jack Johnson—have been collected by music lovers for more than a decade.

Pokorny’s work in the music industry has included everything from gig posters and cd covers to big name clients like Capitol Records and EMI, but his portfolio extends far beyond the realm of rock and roll. Pokorny’s paintings and illustrations have been featured in contemporary galleries from LA to Las Vegas and earned him recognition from groups like the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, who recently included two of his pieces in their limited edition Illustration West 45 book showcasing the best of contemporary illustration from throughout the U.S.

Pokorny’s latest series, Transitions, reflects on the constant state of movement that links individual moments in time, each piece capturing its subject in the midst of that transitional state. Drawing inspiration from a variety of unexpected sources, including the covers of old jazz albums, Pokorny blends the figure abstractions of modern and post-modern art with his keen eye for contemporary culture.

Pokorny also has a keen eye for color, which is readily apparent throughout Transitions, emphasized by his choice to paint with Cel-Vinyl, a vinyl-acrylic copolymer normally used for animation. The result is a strikingly bold palette with a clean, crisp line that is the perfect complement to the compelling characters Pokorny has created.

Transitions is Pokorny’s first exhibition at {open}, though his work is a favorite of {open} co-owners Sé Reed and Shea Gauer. Reed met Pokorny in 2006 when interviewing him for a local publication, but she had already been introduced to his work by Gauer, who papered the bookstore’s backroom with a collection of Fingerprint’s posters, most of which were Pokorny’s.

“We’re delighted to feature Robert’s work,” said Reed. “Both Shea and I have long admired his style, but it was worth the wait. We’re both still stunned by the beauty of this latest series.”

*TONS of books from 50 cents to $1 … plus 15% off our instore used books!*

Then stay for the opening reception of “Bewilder Me” from artist Justin Lovato with light refreshments and tunes courtesy DJ Salty.

From his bio …

The characters and subject matter in his paintings often tell some arcane and dark story, which is expressed through steady-handed intricate line work. Through layering of vivid color, he narrates the intriguing and amusing tales of seemingly pain-stricken, weathered, and worn individuals.