GREENLIEF & RASKIN 2+2
2 + 2 with basses - barre phillips and mark dresser
@luggage store gallery - photo by frank gratkowski - 2011
2+2 with brass - nate wooley (trumpet) and dan peck (tuba)
@iBeam brooklyn - photo by peter gannushkin - 2013
2 + 2 with voices - aurora josephson and claudia la rocco
@center for new music - 2017
Phillip Greenlief - alto and tenor saxophones
Jon Raskin - alto and baritone saxophones
HISTORY
jon raskin and i formed 2 + 2 in 2003 as a container for revolving quartet formations.
we liked the pairing of "like instruments", giving the ensemble an immediate character that, while on the surface, might reduce the timbral possibilities of the music, can also allow for the instrument pairings to expand their conception of the possible. we've played with so many wonderful musicians in this project.
due to the modular and nomadic nature of the 2 + 2 project, these collaborations have allowed jon and i to explore a realm that we call composing for improvisers - works that can be played on the spot without rehearsal. while these works employ spontaneity and freedom, they offer structure and compositional elements to establish concrete thematic, harmonic and rhythmic activity. many of our most personal compositions have come from our efforts with 2 + 2.
our saxophone duo ( 1+1 ) utilizes free improvisation, our own compositions and the music of our contemporaries and mentors: anthony braxton, waddada leo smith, roscoe mitchell, frank gratkowski, pauline oliveros, christian wolff, and steve lacy.
COLLABORATIONS
1+1
phillip greenlief (alto and tenor saxophones)
jon raskin (alto and baritone saxophones)
2+2
with basses
mark dresser and barre phillips
ken filiano and damon smith
lisa mezzacappa and damon smith
with brass
liz allbee (trumpet) and jen baker (trombone)
tom djll and nate wooley (trumpets)
dan peck (tuba) and nate wooley (trumpet)
kris tiner and nate wooley (trumpets)
with guitars
fred frith and john shiurba
with drums
scott amendola and kjell nordeson
with kotos
shoko hikage and konoko nishi
with double reeds
kyle bruckmann (oboe, english horn)
and sara schoenbeck (bassoon)
with electronics
chris brown and tim perkis
david kendall and robert hudson
with percussion/electronics
john hanes and gino robair
with reeds
murray campbell and randy mc kean
with low string instruments
eric friedlander (cello) and trevor dunn (bass)
with low winds
katherine young (bassoon) and dan peck (tuba)
with poets
claudia la rocco and elizabeth robinson
with voices
dina emerson and aurora josephson
aurora josephson and claudia la rocco
3 + 3 with long strings and trumpets
mia masaoka (koto) and zeena parkins (harp)
kris tiner and nate wooley