Audio
Abstract Visions of a Foreign Land - for large ensemble
The above extract is Movement I only (6’28”). For the full recording click here
Devised for an eleven piece ensemble, this six-movement composition amalgamates influences from modern jazz circles with the language of contemporary classical composers, most notably spectral composers such as Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murail. The work aims to coalesce the spheres of improvisation and frequency-based composition, and is titled after the process of image formation in the brain, a concept explored deeply throughout the work; our brain can form lucid, extremely vivid images of worlds we have not yet seen, formed entirely from words on a page or aural descriptions - ever-changing images that seem so real we form deep attachments to them, yet they can be strikingly different from the actualities of these worlds.
Abstract Visions of a Foreign Land received it’s second performance on the Symphony Hall Stage in June 2022, where it was filmed and recorded live for future release.
The recording featured here was recorded live at the Eastside Jazz Club, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, UK on 10th April 2019.
Credits:
Steve Saunders - Compositions and Guitar
Christos Stylianides - Trumpet
John O’Gallagher - Alto Saxophone
Xhosa Cole - Tenor Saxophone and Flutes
David Sear - Trombone
Percy Pursglove - Bass
James Bashford - Drums
Sarah Farmer - Violin
Maja Pluta - Violin
Natalie Mason - Viola
Angela Monge Alvarez - Cello
Meg Diamond - Flute (Movement IV)
Kaethe Uken - Clarinet (Movement IV)
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Josh Bench; album photography by Ellie Koepke.
Photo
Leading Abstract Visions of a Foreign Land on the Birmingham Symphony Hall Stage, June 2022
The full Abstract Visions of a Foreign Land ensemble after performing
L to R: Sarah Farmer, Natalie Mason, Maja Pluta, Emma Capp, Steve Saunders, Xhosa Cole, Josh Vadiveloo, Dave Sear, Meg Diamond, Will Hammond, Jim Bashford, Sam Wooster & Chris Young
Video
TIMEBEING (for two improvisers), is an audio-visual work commissioned by Birmingham-based art-gallery ‘Centrala Space’ and composed by Steve; performed here by Steve on guitar and electronics and Christos Stylianides on trumpet and electronics. See the original programme notes below:
Is time linear, or is it merely a relation between events? Do we still experience time as an internal, ticking constant when pushed and pulled through the various paces of day-to-day life, or is our perception of time dependent on our human experiences? How can a day in isolation pass so slowly, yet a year of lockdowns passes in the blink of an eye? Through the use of improvisation with different temporal parameters, timebeing aims to question the reality of linear time, pushing and pulling the listener through different ‘timezones’ throughout the thirty-minute work, before returning to the constant, repetitive, unforgiving nature of the human temporal reality.
Timebeing aims to explore the human temporal-perception by pulling the listener through different ‘timezones’ throughout the work – areas in which the performers improvise with connected material based on different ‘modes’ of pereception.
Discography
Released on Discus Music, 2022 (134CD)
PAUL DUNMALL QUINTET - YES TOMORROW
Improvised music with all compositions by Paul Dunmall, featuring Paul on alto & tenor saxophones, Richard Foote on trombone, Steve Saunders on guitar, James Owston on bass and Jim Bashford on drums. Recorded at Sansom Studios, Birmingham, UK.
“It’s a bold move from Dunmall, brilliantly executed by a talented band on fine, fiery form”
Released on FMR Records, 2020 (FMRCD 596)
PAUL DUNMALL SEXTET - COSMIC DREAM PROJECTION
Improvised music and compositions, featuring Paul Dunmall on alto & tenor saxophones & flute, Percy Pursglove on trumpet, Richard Foote on trombone, Steve Saunders on guitar, James Owston on bass and Jim Bashford on drums. Recorded at Sansom Studios, Birmingham, UK.
“The title track is actually a blues, greasy and stinging with an impressive, nasty, gut-wrenching guitar solo from Mr. Saunders”
Further Ensemble Work
Fully improvised music with world-renowned free-jazz saxophonist Paul Dunmall on saxophones, Steve Saunders on guitar, Dave Kane on double bass and Miles Levin on drums. Filmed live at Sansom Studios, Birmingham.
Recording and music video produced for the Commonwealth Games 2022 by the Xhosa Cole Quartet, featuring Xhosa on tenor saxophone, Soweto Kinch on alto saxophone, Steve Saunders on guitar, Josh Vadiveloo on bass and Jim Bashford on drums.
Steve’s electronic trio GLITCH, improvising around his own compositions featuring Chris Mapp on bass and electronics and Euan Palmer on drums.