Electro-Magnetic Trans-Personal Orchestra by Electro-Magnetic Trans-Personal Orchestra

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Free Jazz | Contemporary

4 tracks | 46 minutes

Released Dec 2002
on Pax Recordings

Click for a 30-second preview. All tracks are 192kbps high fidelity sound quality. Protected WMA $0.77 or unprotected MP3 $0.88.

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sample "album only" 19:35 C "album only" 19:35 C "album only" 19:35 C

sample "album only" 11:17 D "album only" 11:17 D "album only" 11:17 D

sample "album only" 11:57 E "album only" 11:57 E "album only" 11:57 E

sample "album only" 04:04 B "album only" 04:04 B "album only" 04:04 B

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This nine-piece ensemble, with strings, woodwinds, guitar, accordion, and tuba, performs the structured improv compositions of Aaron Bennett, an active composer/saxophonist of the vital San Francisco Bay Area experimental music scene.

Editorial review

The Electro-Magnetic Trans-Personal Orchestra? What does it eat in the winter? This nine-piece group is one of Aaron Bennett's projects. It actually has little electricity in it -- only John Finkbeiner's guitar. The remainder of the instrumentation is all acoustic: woodwinds (Bennett, with Finkbeiner doubling on alto sax in "D"), strings (Mark Chung and Jeff Hobbs on violins, Merlin Coleman and Adam Lane on cellos, bassist George Cremaschi), tuba (Joe Sabella), and accordion (Dan Cantrell). There also seems to be an uncredited female singer, most obvious in "D" -- it <i>could</i> be a soprano sax, but it mimics the illusion is so vividly that one is inclined to believe that it must be a voice. "Magnetic" could have implied the use of prerecorded tapes, but that is not the case. As for what "trans-personal" means, it is anybody's guess. Under the playful name of this group lies a skilled ensemble of improvisers performing Bennett's structures. They often rely on a bass ostinato. The music shifts from carefully layered textures to raving outbursts and comical interludes, like the finale of "E," where the entry of a squeaky saxophone signals time for recreational craziness. The ensemble keeps a clear view of what has to be done -- very few gestures sound tentative -- yet the music remains free-flowing. Jazzier and more tamed than your usual structured improv but just as exciting, this CD is a delight. Recommended. ~ Fran?ois Couture, All Music Guide

Bio / Background

This nine-piece ensemble, with strings, woodwinds, guitar, accordion, and tuba, performs the structured improv compositions of Aaron Bennett, an active composer/saxophonist of the vital San Francisco improv scene.

Saxophonist and composer Aaron Bennett has been performing music professionally as an active part of the jazz and improvised music communities for over 15 years. Born in Long Beach California, he was introduced to jazz and the Avant-garde at a young age by his mother who was both an abstract painter and avid jazz fan. He has studied music at Cal State Long Beach, where he received a B.A. in music performance and at California Institute of the Arts where he studied composition with Wadada Leo Smith and received an M.F.A. in music. Besides Western Classical Music and Jazz, he has studied the music of West Africa, Indonesia (Balinese and Javanese Gamelan), South and North India, and Traditional Japanese Gagaku music.