Over the past several years, Raymond Larsen has surfaced as one of the most in-demand young trumpet players in the Pacific Northwest. This special show celebrates the long-awaited release of the first two albums in his ambitious “Modern Achievements” trilogy series on the Table & Chairs label…with a live recording of the third! (A $30-40 donation will get you both albums along with admission to the show.)
The album series borrows its name from an American encyclopedia from the year 1903 that celebrates humanity’s achievements in science and industry and marvels at the ceaseless mystery of the natural world. With unique instrumentation and diverse compositional and improvisational approaches, Raymond has created three long-form tributes to specific entries in the Modern Achievements encyclopedia:
How Glass Is Made will be available on vinyl record and digital release, and New Studies of the Starry Skies will be available on CD and digital release.
When Mountains Blow Their Heads Off will be recorded live tonight by 14 of Seattle’s great improvising musicians. The piece premiered at the Royal Room last spring and depicts the global and local events transpiring after major volcanic eruptions: day-long sunsets, year-long winters, glowing night clouds, the legends that people tell.
Luke Bergman (bass), Cameron Sharif (keyboard), Gregg Belisle-Chi (guitar), David Balatero (cello), Abbey Blackwell (double bass), Carmen Rothwell (double bass), Jacob Zimmerman (alto sax), Eric Vanderbilt-Mathews (clarinet), Levi Gillis (tenor sax), Raymond Larsen (trumpet), Nick Rogstad (trombone), Jon Hansen (tuba), Thomas Campbell (drums), Jarred Katz (drums).
Plus a special mystery guest to open the concert!