Matana Roberts is a composer/alto sax player from New York by way of Chicago. Shes got a lot of great things going on. I mentioned her new Chicago Project album here. In addition to that, she has a fascinating experiment called the COIN COIN Project that deals with her family roots as far back as she can trace them. A big fan of zines and independent media, she has her own video blog/vlog (whatever the kids are calling it) here. Shes a great new voice in creative music that continues to work hard to take music to new places. Find out more at her website.
1: What got you into creative/improvised music making, and what keeps you there?
I grew up on that type of music, my dad is a huge Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp, David Murray, Cecil Taylor, Alice Coltrane etc etc etc fan. The idea of experimentation, and the way I have been able to expand it as an individual statement is what really keeps me there I think. I feel like a lot of music (my chosen corner included) regardless of label or genre nonsense has kind of lost that spirit.
1: What got you into creative/improvised music making, and what keeps you there?
I grew up on that type of music, my dad is a huge Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp, David Murray, Cecil Taylor, Alice Coltrane etc etc etc fan. The idea of experimentation, and the way I have been able to expand it as an individual statement is what really keeps me there I think. I feel like a lot of music (my chosen corner included) regardless of label or genre nonsense has kind of lost that spirit.
