Join us as we welcome Kazuhisa Uchihashi and Akira Sotoyama for a very special evening getting to know collective free improvisation and the daxophone, a rare and mysterious instrument.

Monday 8 May, EMP Lab

• 17:00 - 18:00: daxophone demonstration and discussion
• 19:00 - 20:00: live performance
• Please register here

Apart from being one of Japan's most revered guitarists, Kazuhisa Uchihashi is the foremost practitioner of an amazing instrument called the daxophone. The rare and extraordinary bowed instrument will be the focus of the talk and demonstration, as well as featuring in the live improvisation performance later in the evening. Kazu has run improvisation and daxophone workshops in various cities in Japan, as well as London, Oslo and Vienna. He also runs the record label, Innocent Records a.k.a. Zenbei Records. Aside from his roles as a free improviser and head of label, he composes music for films, theatre and dance, acting as the musical director for Japanese Theatre group ISHINHA for over 30 years.

Joining Kazu in discussion and performance will be Akira Sotoyama. One of the most exciting drummers working in Japan today, Akira creates an extraordinary magnetic field with his innovative drum sense and technique and is active in a wide range of genres. His strikingly original drumming style incorporates experiences of travelling across many countries, including Cuba, India and West Africa, where he has been able to interact with local percussionists. An international approach that is very close to our hearts, here at Catalyst.

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