Joel Futterman & Steve Hirsh: Warp & Weft

Neuroscientists, psychologists, philosophers, and modern Buddhist practitioners have all grappled with the concept of consciousness. On one hand, the science-oriented folk propose consciousness to be stuff that designates the 'me' inside a person vis-à-vis the world, whereas the more spiritual approach eschews a dualistic definition in favor of a universal or 'one' consciousness. If we take up the debate using improvised music as an example, specifically Warp & Weft by Joel Futterman and Steve Hirsh, the 'me' falls away leaving us with a non-dual document.

Futterman, whose back story includes participation in early years of Chicago's AACM before moving to Virginia, has had long partnerships with saxophonist Jimmy Lyons, Alvin Fielder and Kidd Jordan. The release of his Creation Series (NoBusiess Records, 2021) collected five volumes of his solo improvisations from 1980.

The nearly two hours of instant composing from Futterman's piano and Hirsch's drum kit were obviously produced by sentient beings but, just as less complex organisms such as trees (which many believe to have no consciousness) can cooperate to seek sunlight and nutrients, the duo creates and nurtures sound without the appearance of separate selves. Free improvisation requires thought, yet improvisation at the highest level requires no thought, in effect no 'me.' That can be said of the music of Cecil Taylor & Tony Oxley, Matthew Shipp & Ivo Perelman, and certainly Futterman and Hirsch.

The two musicians abandon accompaniment, and effectively perform as one. If there was thought involved or a preconceived plan, the music would fail. Like the finest improvisation, the creation is instantaneous with the most gentle pauses, and the massive thunderstorms. At times, Futterman's attack is like that of drummer Elvin Jones, and Hirsch exercises cymbals with the elegance of pianist Hank Jones. Certainly Futterman and Hirsh are separate individuals, but the music recorded here is a prime example of non-dualistic activity.