Saxophonist and composer Jacob Zimmerman will lead a performance of his latest musical project "Lawson." The newly formed Lawson Ensemble performs original music inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the Lawsonite people. Comprised of an exceptional cast of local improvising musicians, the project is focused on the navigation of a unique pitch network system recently developed by Zimmerman in his solo work. For this evening's performance the ensemble will include Theo Padouvas (trumpet), Rob Ewing (trombone), Michael Coleman, Dan VanHassel (keyboards), and Dan Good (electronics and trumpet). In performance the Lawson Ensemble collectively improvises varying textures of complex, slowly shifting counterpoint. Through the use of pre-composed material and improvisation the performers actively engage in the discovery of new formations of melody and phrasing, with an emphasis on shapes and contours. Notable influences for the project include Karlheinz Stockhausen's opera music, Bill Frisell, Sun Ra, Anthony Braxton, and the improvisations of Lee Konitz and the "Tristano School."

Alex Vittum will also be performing an opening set of solo electro-acoustic works for percussion.

Jacob Zimmerman recently completed his Masters Degree in Composition from Mills College in Oakland where he had the privilege to study privately with Roscoe Mitchell and James Fei. In May of 2008 he graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Jazz Saxophone Performance. There he studied primarily with Anthony Coleman, Jerry Bergonzi, and Joe Morris. Demonstrating a firm knowledge of the history of the alto saxophone in jazz, classical, and improvised music, Jacob is a highly active performer working in a wide range of diverse musical contexts. Hear samples of his music here.

Alex Vittum is a percussionist and composer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He combines the disciplines of percussion, instrument building and electronic music. He is a member of the percussion duo Tide Tables with Paul Kikuchi, Powerdove, Unbalanced Chain and has his electroacoustic solo project Prism. Alex has performed and recorded with a diverse group of musicians, composers and choreographers including Roswell Rudd, Kitty Brazleton, Ben Goldberg, Daniel Carter, Stuart Dempster, Gina Gibney Dance and Loop 2.4.3. He holds a BA from Bennington College and an MFA from Mills College and has studied percussion with Milford Graves and William Winant. Hear samples of his music here.