Nels Cline's Consentrik Quartet
Ft. Nels Cline (Guitar), Ingrid Laubock (saxophone), Chris Lightcap (bass), Tom Rainey (drums)
Music fans and music makers alike know that one of the most powerful and universal ways we can connect is through music. And there is an important interplay and overlap of those circles, of players and listeners. For guitarist Nels Cline, one of his most consistent sources of inspiration across four decades as a musician, composer, band member (most notably with Wilco), and band leader (including The Nels Cline 4, and Nels Cline Singers), is exploring and creating musical circles that grow, overlap, expand, and come back to center with each new project that he steps into or brings into his orbit.
Defined as “circles or objects having a common center”, Consentrik couldn’t be a more perfect name, and the old Middle English spelling caught Nels’ eye:
“One can sense the appeal of this idea when it is applied to a group of improvisers playing in service to an idea or composition. I like the graphic look of the 'K' as well as the word ‘consent’ within it. Coming up with band names is rather legendarily difficult, but I think this one fits this group and its musical intentions rather well.”
Now as Nels preps for recording the Concentrik Quartet, an integral part of that preparation is a series of concerts. The live performances will inform the recordings, the audience witnessing - and therefore becoming part of - the exciting evolution of these compositions, which were written specifically with its players in mind.
Whatever sonic shape it takes, Nels Cline brings us into yet another musical universe, where we become another circle within these concentric circles of shared expression, exploration, and community.
New compositions by Nels Cline for Concentrik Quartet were commissioned by Ars Nova for the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Nels Cline:
Guitar explorer Nels Cline is best known these days as the lead guitarist in the band Wilco. His recording and performing career — spanning jazz, rock, punk and experimental — is well into its fourth decade, with over 200 recordings, including at least 30 for which he is leader. Cline has received many accolades including Rolling Stone anointing him as both one of 20 "new guitar gods" and one of the top 100 guitarists of all time.
Tom Rainey
Drummer Tom Rainey has performed and or recorded with numerous artists including: Mose Allison, Tim Berne, Anthony Braxton, Kris Davis, Ingrid Laubrock, Joe Lovano, and countless others.
Chris Lightcap:
Bassist Chris Lightcap’s releases as a leader and composer have been featured on year-end top album lists by The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, Downbeat, Jazztimes, the Village Voice and The Wall Street Journal. In his performing and recording career he has worked with Regina Carter, Glen Hansard, Jason Moran, The Kronos Quartet, John Scofield, Joshua Bell,and many other artists.
Ingrid Laubrock:
Ingrid Laubrock is an experimental saxophonist and composer. Laubrock was named a “truevisionary” by pianist and The Kennedy Center's artistic director Jason Moran, and a“fully committed saxophonist and visionary" by The New Yorker.Laubrock has performed with Anthony Braxton, Jason Moran, Kris Davis, Mary Halvorson, MyraMelford, Zeena Parkins, Tom Rainey, Tim Berne, Dave Douglas and many others.Awards include Fellowship in Jazz Composition by the Arts Foundation, BBC Jazz Prize forInnovation. She won best Rising Star Soprano Saxophonist in the 'DownbeatAnnual Critics Poll in 2015 and best Tenor Saxophonist in 2018.