Syrinx Effect at Jazz: The Second Century
July 14th, 2013
Naomi Siegel (trombone, pedals, field recordings) & Kate Olson (saxophone, effects)
Syrinx Effect an experimental platform for trombonist Naomi Siegel and saxophonist Kate Olson,  played contemporary, improvised music with electronics at the Chapel Performing Space in the opening performance of the Jazz The Second Century, the latest edition of Earshot’s juried series. It was a beautiful set of interesting music.  Olson mixed jazz licks and space on soprano sax above a layer of laptop effects, Buddha Machine loops, and snaps, pops and analog electronic sounds from a Cracklebox. Siegel explored the range and booms of trombone and lays down a background of looped brass thwarted by guitar pedals, plus field recordings from her travels.
The duo’s recent release Gnarly & Sweet shows their approach to improvised sonic journeys, tending to cinematic soundscapes set on droning rhythmic motifs. The two trade responsibilities in driving the shape and form of the pieces, each, at times, soloing minimally and sweetly or bombastically.
Earshot Jazz presented Trio Orangutan in the 2nd in the series, Jazz: The Second Century last night at the Chapel Performance space.Trio Orangutan is Kate Olson (soprano saxophone), Naomi Siegel (trombone) and Jason Levis (percussion).
They play composed pieces and improvise in search of the “timbral possibilities of trombone, soprano and percussion,†Olson writes. As the Syrinx Too, Olson and Siegel have worked on those possibilities at the Racer Sessions, Gallery 1412 and elsewhere.
Olson holds a master’s degree from the University of Michigan. She is an area educator and performs with the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra and the Seattle Conduction Band. Naomi Siegel is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory and is now an active performer and music educator in the Seattle area. She regularly performs with Thione Diop, Picoso and other Latin, world and experimental groups. Siegel teaches private trombone lessons and is a member of the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra. Composer, drummer and UC Berkeley doctoral candidate Jason Levis, currently based in Berlin, makes it a trio.
Seattle musicians have new works in development all the time – at house concerts, at weekly jam sessions, in basement studios and at clubs and cafes around Seattle, including the Seamonster and the Royal Room. Jazz: The Second Century is Earshot Jazz’s open question to that artistic community: so, what’s happening now?
Submissions are considered by a peer-review panel made up of musicians, journalists, former Second Century performers and concert producers. Earshot Jazz thanks all the unique and enterprising creative musicians of this city that submitted their work for consideration. Out of all the materials – a range of home recordings, studio materials, live video clips, full bands, duos and more – this year’s schedule follows below with occasional statements submitted with the artist materials. 
Operation ID | Jazz Photography
July 29th, 2011
Last night Operation ID closed out Jazz: The Second Century, the July Series of concerts put on Earshot Jazz by at the Chapel Performance Space on Thursday nights. It ended with a buzz haircut of Ivan Arteaga as he continued to perform. See bottom pictures.
Operation ID consists of Jared Borkowski on guitar, David Balatero on bass, Rob Hanlon on keyboards, Ivan Arteaga on reeds, and Evan Woodle on drums.
Operation ID : Originally interested in the spontaneity of free-jazz, Operation ID’s open mindedness has guided them to embrace a position of willingness when experimenting with new sounds and musical approaches. They have grown from being exclusively instrumental to frequently incorporating group vocals. Some well-known influences include Steve Reich, Talk Talk, Hella, Prince, XTC, Richie Hawtin, and Deerhoof.
