Experience an evening of groundbreaking music at Rhizome DC, a unique hub for art learning and DIY culture in Washington, D.C. On Monday, April 21st, immerse yourself in the innovative sounds of the Zoh Amba Sun Ensemble, presented by Rhizome DC in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival and Transparent Productions. Doors open at 7pm, with music starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are available for $25, with a sliding scale option to ensure accessibility for everyone in the community. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness avant-garde jazz in an intimate, DIY setting that champions artistic exploration and community engagement.
The headliner, Zoh Amba Sun Ensemble, is a captivating project spearheaded by the exceptionally talented saxophonist and composer Zoh Amba. Their highly anticipated debut record, set to release this spring on Smalltown Supersound, perfectly encapsulates their signature blend of avant-garde jazz with a deeply felt spiritual intensity. The ensemble features the remarkable talents of Lex Korten on piano, Miguel Marcel Russell on percussion, and Kanoa Mendenhall on bass, creating a rich and dynamic sonic landscape. This performance at Rhizome DC offers a unique chance to experience their groundbreaking sound in a venue known for fostering experimental and DIY artistic expressions.
Opening the night is the dynamic duo of Mark Cisneros and Nik Francis, promising an equally compelling set. Mark Cisneros, a Washington, DC-based Chicano/Indigenous American artist, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, composer, and improviser. His work seamlessly traverses the realms of Jazz, punk, experimental, and improvised music, reflecting a true DIY ethos in his artistic approach. Nik Francis, an improvising musician focused on the drum kit, expands his sonic palette through electronics and small acoustic instruments. His project, topology.systems, serves as a testament to his evolving exploration of rhythm and sound, embodying the spirit of independent art creation that Rhizome DC champions.
Zoh Amba, recognized as a Roulette 2023-24 Commissioned Artist, is not only a composer and saxophonist but also a flutist with roots in Tennessee. Her music is a powerful fusion of avant-garde sensibilities, noise textures, and devotional hymns. Her journey in music involved studying at prestigious institutions like the San Francisco Conservatory Of Music and the New England Conservatory, as well as learning from jazz luminary David Murray in New York. Interestingly, her formative musical experiences included writing and practicing saxophone in the solitude of the forest, highlighting a self-directed, DIY approach to honing her craft. Her performances today are characterized by a powerfully unique avant-garde style, interwoven with folk melodies, mesmerizing refrains, and repeated incantations, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for listeners seeking art learning through sound.
Mark Cisneros, also known as Marcos Aurelio Cisneros, brings a rich artistic background to the stage. Born in Los Angeles and now based in Washington, DC, his artistic identity is deeply rooted in his Chicano/Indigenous American heritage. His musical journey includes studies at the New School in Greenwich Village, where he learned from jazz masters such as Ahmed Abdullah, David Schnitter, Joe Chambers, and Tim Price. While primarily a tenor saxophonist, Cisneros has dedicated significant focus to the Stritch, an antique straight saxophone popularized by Rahsaan Roland Kirk. This dedication to a less common instrument showcases his commitment to exploring unique sonic territories, reflecting the DIY spirit of artistic innovation.
Nik Francis further embodies the DIY culture through his dedication to improvisation and sonic exploration. Through topology.systems, he meticulously documents his solo work and collaborative projects, offering a valuable resource for those interested in art learning through experimental music and sound. His approach to the drum kit and integration of electronics exemplify a hands-on, self-driven approach to music creation, perfectly aligning with the ethos of Rhizome DC as a space for independent artistic endeavors.
This event at Rhizome DC is more than just a concert; it’s an immersion into a world where avant-garde jazz intersects with DIY culture and art learning. It’s a chance to support independent artists, engage with experimental music, and experience the vibrant community that Rhizome DC cultivates. Get your tickets now and be part of this unique artistic experience! TICKETS
