Petra Haller is unique as an improvising tap dancer – a worthy successor to Will Gaines.
—Oliver Weindling, Vortex Jazz Club, Babel Label
In an exciting new chapter for contemporary improvisation, tap dancer and artist Petra Haller announces On the Wings of Freedom, the first of three live recording sessions from her latest project, ORBIT. This special performance will take place on November 11 at the iconic Vortex Jazz Club in London, and is dedicated to the spirit of the Freedom of Art improvisation sessions, where Haller first developed her improvisational voice. The concert will be held on the second Monday of November in tribute to the legacy of these sessions.
Conceptually inspired by the planet Saturn and its moons, ORBIT explores the gravitational pull of music as a unifying force, drawing together a constellation of diverse artistic voices. Each performer represents a unique artistic body, much like Saturn’s moons, orbiting around a shared center of improvisation and rhythm. Known for using tap dance as a percussive instrument, Haller redefines the boundaries of jazz and improvised music, merging movement and sound in innovative ways.
The ensemble for ORBIT includes some of the finest talents in contemporary music. Tori Freestone, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, is known for her fluid melodic invention on saxophone and flute. She leads her own ensembles and collaborates with top UK jazz figures, having earned an Ivor Novello Award for Jazz Composition in 2022. Sacha Harlan, a 21-year-old drummer mentored by Dave King of The Bad Plus, blends his roots in prog rock and metal with jazz to create a unique and energetic voice in improvisation. Tom O’Brien, a 23-year-old pianist and composer from Leeds, brings a playful and challenging approach to improvisation, drawing on influences from both contemporary and traditional genres.Kate Shortt, a versatile cellist and vocalist, adds depth with her genre-defying improvisational style. Her work spans jazz, classical, and contemporary theatre, and she has collaborated with major artists across different fields, including pop and jazz legends. Jeffrey Durrant, a spoken word artist celebrated for his spontaneous and evocative poetry, completes the ensemble. Known for his ability to create meaning in the moment, Durrant brings a unique narrative element to the performance, feeding off the energy of his musical collaborators.
Together, the group will create a dynamic, cosmic experience that bridges individuality and collective improvisation, much like Saturn’s moons in their varied orbits around the planet.
Venue: Vortex Jazz Club, London
Available here
For more information, contact: [email protected]
Conceptually inspired by the planet Saturn and its moons, ORBIT explores the gravitational pull of music as a unifying force, drawing together a constellation of diverse artistic voices. Each performer represents a unique artistic body, much like Saturn’s moons, orbiting around a shared center of improvisation and rhythm. Known for using tap dance as a percussive instrument, Haller redefines the boundaries of jazz and improvised music, merging movement and sound in innovative ways.
The ensemble for ORBIT includes some of the finest talents in contemporary music. Tori Freestone, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, is known for her fluid melodic invention on saxophone and flute. She leads her own ensembles and collaborates with top UK jazz figures, having earned an Ivor Novello Award for Jazz Composition in 2022. Sacha Harlan, a 21-year-old drummer mentored by Dave King of The Bad Plus, blends his roots in prog rock and metal with jazz to create a unique and energetic voice in improvisation. Tom O’Brien, a 23-year-old pianist and composer from Leeds, brings a playful and challenging approach to improvisation, drawing on influences from both contemporary and traditional genres.Kate Shortt, a versatile cellist and vocalist, adds depth with her genre-defying improvisational style. Her work spans jazz, classical, and contemporary theatre, and she has collaborated with major artists across different fields, including pop and jazz legends. Jeffrey Durrant, a spoken word artist celebrated for his spontaneous and evocative poetry, completes the ensemble. Known for his ability to create meaning in the moment, Durrant brings a unique narrative element to the performance, feeding off the energy of his musical collaborators.
Together, the group will create a dynamic, cosmic experience that bridges individuality and collective improvisation, much like Saturn’s moons in their varied orbits around the planet.
Performance Details
Date: November 11, 2024 (Second Monday of November)Venue: Vortex Jazz Club, London
Available here
For more information, contact: [email protected]
