Events Calendar

Based in Lille, France, saxophonist/flutist Sakina Abdou explores free improvisation and broadly experimental contemporary music with the likes of Eve Risser’s Red Desert Orchestra, Raymond Boni, Satoko Fujii, Dedalus, and the daring experimental collective, Muzzix. Of Franco-Nigerian origin, an upcoming collaboration will feature drummers from Niger and flutist Yacouba Moumouni, under the auspices of CNCM Athénor. Her multifaceted sound is sometimes caustic, sometimes full of grace and quietude, and always full of suspense and surprise, as evidenced on Goodbye Ground, her debut album for the cutting edge New York label Relative Pitch Records. “She can be as fiery as she is fierce, but what has impressed me is Abdou’s ability to bring moments of swing-derived blowing to the equation, evoking Lee Konitz as much as Peter Brötzmann” (The Quietus).

Moderated by scholar and percussionist Dylan van der Schyff. A leading figure in the Vancouver improv and creative music scene for decades, he’s contributed to almost 200 records, and performed extensively with Peggy Lee, George Lewis, John Butcher, Dave Douglas, Misha Mengelberg, Rob Mazurek, Evan Parker, and many others. He is now Professor (Associate) in Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, where his research focuses on developing possibilities for thought and action in practical areas such as improvisation and creativity, performance, and music education.

In association with Western Front, with the support of the Consulate General of France in Vancouver.