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Mary Halvorson/Jessica Pavone Duo

The Brooklyn-based duo of guitarist Mary Halvorson and violist Jessica Pavone draws from classical, jazz and folk traditions while experimenting with new forms. Together they explore improvisation and composition while utilizing amplification and electronic effects as well as acoustic presentation.

The group has performed regularly in New York City since 2002 at venues such as Roulette, Tonic, Barbes and The Stone. They have also appeared at several music festivals, including the Wels Unlimited Festival (Austria), The Other Half New, the Improvised and Otherwise Festival and The Vision Festival.

Their discography includes three releases: Praries (Lucky Kitchen, 2005), One and Off (Skirl Records, 2007) and Thin Air (Thirsty Ear, 2009).

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194

Recording

Mary Halvorson & Jessica Pavone: Walking on Thin Air

Mary Halvorson & Jessica Pavone: Walking on Thin Air

Source: Improvised Communications

One sings … and so does the other. Except when they aren’t. Which means that at any time when they are onstage together, performing as an entity called MaryandJess, or JessandMary if you like the ring of it better and prefer Christian name alphabetical, they’ll be doing just about anything at a moment’s notice, or with even less warning.

It’s not as if they don’t already have enough to do. Mary Halvorson, 27, has graduated from new-kid-on-the-block status to become ...

153

Performance / Tour

Mary Halvorson and Jessica Pavone on Tour

Mary Halvorson and Jessica Pavone on Tour

Source: Improvised Communications


As longstanding accomplices, each musician's turn of phrase, sudden pause and change in pitch reveals a level of interplay that borders on the clairvoyant.
--Troy Collins, AllAboutJazz.com

Carefully notated structures and interplay morph effortlessly into free improvisation that is intelligent and expressive, but never self-indulgent...the two women make transcendent chamber music outside of any genre.
--Elliott Sharp, Guitar Player

As an acoustic duo they produce something distinct and beguiling: an amalgam of experimental folk, rock and chamber music that feels both meticulous and raw. There's a disarming openness to their interaction, never more pronounced than when the two are blending their voices in something like a campfire harmony. But this music isn't clever or cute. Its core is steely, and its execution clear.
--Nate Chinen, New York Times

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Thin Air

Thirsty Ear Recordings
2009

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