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C U R R E N T
P R O J E C T S
Tunnel Six
Tunnel Six is a sextet comprised of some of the most notable up-and-coming jazz musicians from various cities in Canada and the U.S. The group was formed when its members were attending the International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music at the Banff Centre in Alberta in May 2009. Though the band was formed by a chance meeting, their unique musical chemistry was immediately evident from the first notes they played. Recognizing this unique and effortless chemistry, the band unanimously agreed that the group should pursue as many future performance and recording opportunities as possible.
In the short time since its inception, Tunnel Six has composed a substantial amount of new music and performed it across Canada and the U.S. The band’s debut album will be released on Seattle based Origin Records in May 2011 and distributed within Canada, the US, and Europe.
Synergy
Ben Dietschi’s Synergy ensemble is a progressive chamber jazz group which focuses on the development and performance of new compositions which synthesize the classical and jazz worlds.
This chamber ensemble is rooted in jazz and creative music strives to create a unique genre of crossover chamber music. Saxophone, string quartet, and rhythm section create a unique pallet for these extended compositions. At the core of this group’s philosophy is the idea that the future of jazz music lies in its inevitable synthesis with other genres and the ability to use improvisation as a medium of true expression not just an aesthetic convention. In producing works for this group I strive to create emotional space created by the rich sonic pallet and narrative quality of this compositional style.
Currently Ben is completing new works for this ensemble under the tutelage of Canadian composer Gary Kulesha. These new works that were made possible with support from the Canada Council for the Arts will be performed beginning in late 2011.
Ben Dietschi Quintet
This quartet focuses on playing progressive modern jazz with a variety of original material and music from today’s leading jazz artists. The musicians featured in the group are some of the most talented players in the Toronto contemporary jazz scene.
Hayoun Lee Quintet
This contemporary jazz group showcases the compositions of Toronto based pianist Hayoun Lee.
P A S T
P R O J E C T S
Uniform Convergence
A collaboration between graduate students Ben Dietschi (Jazz Performance) and Brent Pym (Mathematics), Uniform Convergence will explore some of the fascinating connections between music and modern mathematics.
Music and mathematics are both driven by aesthetic considerations, as well as a basic curiosity about the universe and our place in it. In fact, the analogy between the two subjects runs much deeper: music is rich with structures that are studied by mathematicians on a daily basis. This project created a number of new musical compositions and improvisations inspired by a diverse selection of concepts from modern mathematics, premiered during 2009 Celebration of The Arts series.
The performances were accompanied by discussions and electronic images to describe the mathematical concepts involved in the compositions. This provided a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration between mathematics and music, and urged audience members to reexamine their conception of both of these fields.
Pathways
This ensemble consists of jazz quintet with instrumental voice. The group featured unique compositions with the goal of making music that “takes people places”. Personnel included some of Toronto’s finest improvising musicians including Canadian vocalist Sienna Dahlen.
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