Genre-defying violist/composer Eyvind Kang presents recent compositions and work from his new Tzadik CD Grass, with an ensemble of local greats: Stuart Dempster, trombone, percussion; Ahmad Yousefbeigi, Greg Campbell, Hyeonhee Park, and Dave Abramson, percussion; Moriah Neils, double bass; Taina Karr, oboe, English horn; Mary Riles, cello; Paul “Che Oke Ten” Wagner, Native flute.

Seattle Modern Orchestra opens its 2012-13 season with an immersive event in the world of sounds and ideas of John Cage. In celebration of Cage’s centennial, this evening features a multimedia presentation and documentary on the life of the composer, and a concert in collaboration with Seattle Percussion Collective. The program includes Trio, Living Room Music, Etcetera, But what about the noise…?, Five4. Pianist Stephen Drury joins us for the Concerto for Prepared Piano and Chamber Orchestra. Review here.

Paul Hoskin (contrabass clarinet, baritone sax) and Greg Powers (trombone, tuba) have played in various settings for more than thirty years. Greg and Jenny Ziefel (bass clarinet, tenro sax) have extensive experience as cohorts in the Seattle orchestral world. Ziefel and Hoskin were two-thirds of a clarinet trio — Neume — with Jesse Canterbury. When Jesse moved to California, Paul and Jenny began a new trio with Greg. This wind/brass trio explores regions of sound ranging from the clearly melodic to the undecipherable.

The Seattle Composers’ Salonfosters the development, performance and appreciation of new music by regional composers and performers. At bi-monthly, informal presentations, the Salon features finished works, previews, and works in progress. Composers, performers, and audience members gather in a casual setting that allows for experimentation and discussion. Everyone is welcome! Composers for this month: Jessika Kenney, Steve Luksan, Tom Baker, S. Eric Scribner

Presented by Earshot Jazz Festival.

The “fierce and fascinating composer and pianist” (Jazz Times) Sumi Tonooka performs solo. Born in Philadelphia, Tonooka started piano and music instruction at the age of seven and cites a teenage experience seeing Thelonious Monk for making her want to be a jazz musician. She holds a bachelor of music degree from the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts, and has gigged with Kenny Burrell, Little Jimmy Scott, Sonny Fortune, Red Rodney, Benny Golson and David “Fathead” Newman.

Presented by Earshot Jazz Festival.

Dutch vocal improviser Jaap Blonk uses synthesized sounds, including samples of his own voice, in powerful, joyful performances structured by the mathematical algorithms that are his other expertise. As a vocalist, Blonk is unique in his powerful stage presence and almost childlike freedom in improvisation, combined with a keen grasp of structure. Tonight he presents his 4-channel-mix piece Polyphtong and Kurt Schwitters’ classic Ursonate.

Canadian composer and pianist Lubomyr Melnyk is the pioneer of Continuous Music — a piano technique he has developed since the 1970s that uses extremely rapid notes and note-series to create a rich, pulsating tapestry of sound. Inspired by the phase and pattern musics of Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and Terry Riley, yet frustrated by the ecstatic detachment from reality they can encourage, Continuous Music is based in the innovations of the minimalists but with its roots more deeply planted in harmony. Overtones blend or clash according to the harmonic changes. Melnyk released a number of solo piano and ensemble works on the Bandura label through the 1970s and 1980s, and has composed many more, though relatively little was heard from him until the CD reissue of KMH (Unseen Worlds, 2007).

Seattle composer/pianist Keith Eisenbrey continues his tour through the Prelude cycles of Seattle composers Ken Benshoof, Greg Short, and Lockrem Johnson. In addition he will perform the entirety of his own cycle of 24 Preludes for Piano (2009 – 2011).

Presented by Earshot Jazz Festival.

New Zealand home-made-instrument innovator Phil Dadson performs with three inventive Seattle soundscapers: Bill Horist, Paul Kikuchi and Steve Barsotti.

Presented by Earshot Jazz Festival.

The featured artist of this year’s festival is one of Puget Sound’s most expansive creators. Bassist/composer Evan Flory-Barnes explores new musical possibilities with stellar Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame bassist Jeff Johnson and expressive pianist Dawn Clement.