Born into a family steeped in music, Turkish kanun player and composer Didem Başar started her music education at Istanbul Turkish Music State Conservatory when she was 11 years old. Since arriving in Canada in 2007, she has pursued the creation of her own music. She has released two albums of original music, ‘Levantine Rhapsody’ for mixed chamber quintet, and most recently  ‘Continuum’, featuring her concerto for kanun with the string orchestra I Musici de Montréal. For her appearance on December 17th at the Orpheum Annex in Vancouver, Didem will present her compositions reimagined in an intimate trio format, featuring two outstanding musicians: percussionist Patrick Graham from Montréal and the renowned Victoria-based clarinetist and composer François Houle. 

https://didembasar.com/

9-piece Ensemble performance of The Secret Lives of Colour, featuring Basel’s finest improvisers, and visiting guest artists Gerry Hemingway (USA/CH), Andrea Grossi (ITA), and Gordon Grdina (CAN). This event will be recorded for future release on Afterday Audio!

First time performing with wonderful Italian bass player Andrea Grossi, as part of his avant-garde under-ground unconventional series of improvised music. Hosted by Rete Culturale Cantosospeso.

Résidence artistique avec Lamia Yared dans le cadre du Festival d’Été de Vancouver.

Heliotrope (François Houle & Gordon Grdina) present their latest works at Site Jazz Festival in Italy.

Italian Premiere of The Secret Lives of Colour, with an all-star line up!

A rare duo appearance with master pianist Georg Graewe in Vienna

Solo in Vienna, Monday Improvisers Sessions @ Celeste

Twenty years ago, memorably, the great American composer and saxophonist Steve Lacy played some of his last concerts in Guelph. Saxophonist Jorrit Dijkstra and clarinettist François Houle are kindred in their deep investigation of Lacy oeuvre, having both studied with him personally. Their Coastlines Duo is a thoroughly wrought, loving exploration of key works from the master’s vast catalogue, those that the spare combination of their instruments can activate in their contrapuntal richness. Like Lacy’s long-time collaboration with saxophonist Steve Potts, Coastlines Duo explores his singular pieces with poise, precision, joy, and animating energy.

Transact Club Duos and more!

Inspired by the great tandems in the history of creative music, such as Carter and Bradford, Coleman and Cherry, the duo music of François Houle and Marco Von Orelli pushes the boundaries between styles, genres, and aesthetics to Forge a unique repertoire that will surprise any avid listener of jazz and new music. Houle and Von Orelli are recognized masters of their instruments, and bring to the table a vast amount of expertise as band leaders, composers, and practitioners of creative avant-garde music.

Make That Flight Album is available HERE or all digital music platforms!

Trav Short and Shane Krause have started a music series for improvised and experimental music, called The Orange Light, and I'll be playing with Marco von Orelli.

Safa is back! With Amir Koushkani, François Houle, and Hamin Honari. Thrilled to be presenting our new compositions, on a shared bill with Gordon Grdina’s The Marrows

World premiere Trio featuring spectacular musicians from Canada, France and the United Kingdom! Presented by Hélène Aliza’s Galerie 19 jure Paul Fort in Paris.

The fusion of composition - improvisation and improvisation - composition as well as the exploration and extraction of new sounds on her instruments are points of contact in her works.

Two wind instruments at the same time, one tandem? Yes, inspired and in admiration for John Carter and Bobby Bradford. The clarinet and cornet create tonal textures and colors, creating an intimacy that is incredibly appealing!

Inspired by the great tandems in the history of creative music, such as Carter and Bradford, Coleman and Cherry, the duo music of François Houle and Marco Von Orelli pushes the boundaries between styles, genres, and aesthetics to Forge a unique repertoire that will surprise any avid listener of jazz and new music. Houle and Von Orelli are recognized masters of their instruments, and bring to the table a vast amount of expertise as band leaders, composers, and practitioners of creative avant-garde music.

The trio of Charlotte Hug, François Houle, and Linda Bouchard creates live immersive audio-visual performances that playfully oscillate between digital and analog spaces. Live performance, hand drawn Sound Icons by Charlotte Hug, and digital translation with Ocular Scores™ are processed interactively.

Linda Bouchard, composer with Ocular Scores™ and live electronics

François Houle, clarinet and bass clarinet with live electronics

Charlotte Hug, viola and voice with live electronics and Sound Icons.

Special collaborator: Lori Freedman - contrabass and bass clarinets

Itaca 4et completes its Tour of Italy with a performance at Casa del Jazz presented as part of the Rome Jazz Festival.

Thrilled to be visiting this town for the first time with this band. We’ll try and straighten out that tour with our incendiary playing!

Playing in Villach, Austria with ITACA 4et, sharing the evening with Eric Friedlander The Thro

Thrilled to kick off a week of touring with ITACA 4et in the beautiful town of Trieste, Italy!

Performing in trio for the first time with UK pianist Alexander Hawkins and French bassist Joëlle Léandre. This concert will be recorded for future release on Afterday Audio.

For more info and tickets: https://luluperformingarts.ca/events/two-concerts-two-unique-takes-on-the-art-of-improvisation/