Andy Clausen & Samuel Sharp

Andy Clausen & Samuel Sharp

Two like-minded artists from either side of the Atlantic come together this autumn for a double bill of cutting-edge music featuring solo instruments, live looping and electronic manipulation. Featuring the solo sets of trombonist Andy Clausen and saxophonist Samuel Sharp, their repertoire blurs the lines between jazz, contemporary classical and electronic music, resulting in a unique and vibrant show not to be missed.

Best known for his work as co-founder of brass ensemble The Westerlies and touring with indie giants Fleet Foxes, Andy Clausen is a trombonist and composer based in New York. Here he presents a brand new two volume set for trombone and electronics, “Heart of Tones - Solo Trombone at The TANK”, due to be released on Westerlies Records in 2024. From medieval chant, to shape-note hymns, to Ellington ballads, to works from contemporary composers Nico Muhly and Jeff Beal, and sonic meditations from Pauline Oliveros, expect the unexpected through a program of lush brass tones, luxurious resonance, live effects processing and looping.

London-based saxophonist and composer Samuel Sharp will be performing works from  “Consequential”, his second solo album recently released with Scottish label Blackford Hill. A playful, mellifluous and sometimes dizzying brew, Samuel layers and weaves his saxophone notes into intriguing, soporific and occasionally slapstick patterns, with only a small batch of effects pedals for accompaniment. He is also an experienced touring and session musician having worked with the likes of Hackney Colliery Band, Augustines, Hollie McNish, Philip Selway (Radiohead) and Beverley Knight.

Praise for Samuel Sharp

“Beautiful” - Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2
“Terrific” - Stuart Maconie, BBC 6 Music
“I love the way he plays the saxophone” - Elizabeth Alker, BBC Radio 3
“One of the great sax innovators of our time” - Louder Than War
“I’ve absolutely fallen in love with this music” - John Kennedy, Radio X
“Wonderful” - Hannah Peel, BBC Radio 3

Praise for Andy Clausen

“A melody from Andy Clausen is pure moonlight. It’s lovely and magical, full of warmth, and it can brighten up the room. But moonlight also is a source of mystery, with ominous overtones and an electric tension" - Bandcamp Daily
"Folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” - NPR
“Chamber music with bracing melodies and, crucially, an undeniable sense of fun” - L.A. Times
“An alluring, whimsical, and just-plain-cool mix of jazz, classical, and experimental music. Challenging music that doesn’t shy away from also being pretty.” - eMusic