Two leading forces of America’s jazz avant-garde movement converge for a set of catalytic improvisations. Musician poet Elliott Levin (saxophone and flute) is a Philadelphia-based artist who founded the groups Interplay and New Ghost, performed in Cecil Taylor’s large ensembles for decades, and is featured on Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons release (2025 Otherly Love Music). Damon Smith (bass) has contributed to the dynamic music improvisation communities of Oakland, Houston, Boston, and St. Louis for over three decades, and has supported the field through his recording label Balance Point Acoustics since 2001. Levin and Smith can be heard in collaboration on recordings “Weasel Walter’s Firestorm” (2007 ugEXPLODE) and “Summer Rise/Summer Set…Summaries” (2008 75orLess) an improvising quartet with Weasel Walter and Scott R. Looney.
Images courtesy of the artists.
Sudden Sound Concert series is curated by Jason Finkelman, Director of Global Arts Performance Initiatives. Presented by Krannert Art Museum and Improvisers Exchange. The museum acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.
Krannert Art Museum offers a variety of accessibility supports to help ensure all visitors can fully participate. Please send us an email at kam-accessibility@illinois.edu if you have any questions, or to request accommodation for an upcoming visit or event.
