Todd Clouser

Todd Clouser is a composing guitarist, songwriter and performer based between Mexico City and the USA. Combining elements of rock, jazz blues, spoken word and improvised musics, Clouser has toured the world with his group A Love Electric, as a solo act and performed alongside luminaries from John Lurie to John Zorn, Flea, Cyro Baptista, John Medeski, Keb Mo, and more, performing at rock, jazz and world music festivals across the globe.

Clouser's prolific output and genre-evading creativity had NPR call Todd "a fascinating musician ..... (he) doesn't belong to any scene and doesn't want to", Time Out NYC hailing his rock jazz trio A Love Electric as "illuminating", and Mexico City's La Jornada mentioning the group as "one of the most important acts of recent years". A native of Minneapolis, MN, Clouser grew up traveling the USA following his favorite artists and self publishing poetry and recordings before being signed to Ropeadope Records for his first "proper" release, entitled "A Love Electric". As time and tours passed, A Love Electric became a band, first an instrumental act joined by NYC downtown scene heroes Steven Bernstein, Cyro Baptista, and Billy Martin, eventually settling as a trio that explores Clouser's songwriting while honoring the inquisition and fearlessness or jazz tradition, with Hernan Hecht on drums and Aaron Cruz on bass. The trio has gone on to release 6 records on labels in the US and Mexico while performing nearly 1,000 concerts in the span of 7 years.

While Clouser is perhaps most recognized in his Mexico City home as the leader of A Love Electric, he has also released the "psychedelic naked lunch" (Distorsioni Magazine - Italy) record "Butterfly Killer" with the group Magnet Animals (featuring Shanir Blumenkranz, Eyal Maoz, and Jorge Servin) on Rarenoise Records (London, UK). An experimental offering, CHANT found Todd collaborating with street singers, friends, and artists from Mexico City and Minneapolis, the live CHANT show turning into a freewheeling conduction experiment calling the audience to the stage. Clouser also writes songs for a duo project with Mexican singer Renee Mooi, the two performing at festivals and in clubs throughout latinAmerica. His solo song record entitled "Man With No Country" was produced by Anton Fier (Golden Palominos) and released on Billy Martin's Amulet records. A record of "music for unmade film" entitled "Cinema" was self released with pianist Alex Mercado in 2017. As guitarist for the group Klezmerson, Todd has recorded for the prestigious Tzadik Records, going on to perform the compositions of John Zorn at The Village Vanguard in New York City and as part of "Masada Marathons" in Sarajevo and Vienna.

"Like Bill Frisell and Marc Ribot, Clouser is a formidable jazz guitarist who doesn't shy away from playing other musical styles." - The Madison Isthmus (thedailypage.com)

"Does it all, musically, socially, politically. Enjoy" - Steven Bernstein, Grammy nominated trumpeter "Todd Clouser has been a Multi talented entity at my studio as an independent engineer, producer, and contributor to tribute record production for me. As well as being an excellent producer, songwriter, singer and musician, his band has recorded here, showing exciting potential to national attention." - Brian Bart — winner of multiple Minnesota Music Awards, Logic Recordings, Producer, Engineer, Composer

"Like Bill Frisell and Marc Ribot, Clouser is a formidable jazz guitarist who doesn't shy away from playing other musical styles." - The Madison Isthmus (thedailypage.com)

"plays the piss out of the guitar" - Alex Depue, International Award Winning violinist

"A young, genre-defying guitarist, composer, and writer, Todd Clouser is an accomplished musician across the modern jazz and rock spectrum, leading a unique path to recognition as an up and coming act, performing with musicians from Keb Mo to "downtown" NYC jazz legend Steven Bernstein. Clouser's impassioned performances run from piano balladry to dense jazz and groove, exciting audiences with an approach meant to bend the rules of artistic labeling. "A Love Electric" documents Todd's most aggressive ensemble yet, an energetic quintet based in the stylings of 70's era electric jazz." - Dakota Jazz Club

"Todd Clouser in coordination with Pez Gordo Gallery and Liga Mac has a huge success on this inaugural ARTS DAY OUT with around 300 kids and their families. Kids met like-minded and interacted with local artists using professional equipment and material while delighting refreshments and having lots of fun." - BAJA PRESS

"Todd’s care for music is genuine, his love of expression motivating him to fully explore his space in the culture. Whether composing diligently or performing among heroes and legends, he occupies that curious middle ground between his striking talent and his pursuit of humility. In this way, movement is a way of life. The journey is real, and there you will find Todd Clouser enjoying humor, celebrating oddity, and creating exceptional music." - Musician, Journalist Phil Putnam

"There's no shortage of melody and 1970s-style rock-jazz fusion on his new album, Todd Clouser's A Love Electric." - Madison Isthmus "The best thing to happen to Los Cabos since I moved here" - Havana Jazz Club's Sheila Ross

"World famous jazz and funky blues guitarist and Arts Day Out Founder" - Gringo Gazette

"With his youthful looks, Todd Clouser is an accomplished composer and performer, performing an engaging and original blend of jazz, rock, and funk." - Dakota Jazz Club

"I love (Todd's) angle on music" - Guitarist Peter Sprague

"2nd Arts day Out led by Todd Clouser in coordination with LIGA MAC was a total success!All the great activities of the first and much more this past May 16th. Featuring a chance for our young artists and musicians to interact with some of the area’s finest professionals, showcasing and furthering their talents. Also, the kids has the opportunity to decorate our “YO RECICLO” container for recycling materials and contribute to Los Cabos’ environment." — TIENDAS DE PALMILLA

"These guys are really good. Todd Clouser writes catchy tunes that make you want to move.Rock with some groove to it. You should get out and see them now, before you have to pay $50.00 to hear them in concert." "This is a really fun band with lots of talent!" - Benny Weinbeck - Internationally recognized jazz musician, producer, composer

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