In this episode we have a conversation with three regular participants in Sound and Silence, reflecting on the past year and dreaming of what’s ahead. Topics include the value of silent practice in a group setting, visual interpretations of silence, and ’being part of a big thing.’   Hana Ichikawa - Visual artist and curator - UofM ’26   Maddy RIngo - singer-songwtiter - UofM ’26   Diego Patino - Double Bass - UofM ’26

Jonah Parzen-Johnson makes music for baritone saxophone & flute that challenges listeners with experimental textures & forms while embracing them with warm approachable melodies. A Chicago native and longtime Brooklyn resident, Jonah has performed as a leader in more than a dozen countries across four continents. His performances are a deeply intimate experience in which he endeavors to share who he is, how he sees our world, and the temporary moments of community that we can all embrace together. For this event, he will be joined by Milwaukee basist Barry Paul Clark, to perform, “You’re Never Really Alone”, an emotionally evocative celebration of the precious relationship between improvisor and audience.

Saxophonist Jonah Parzen-Johnson and bassist Barry Paul Clark join the podcast. Topics include cultivating artistic freedom, making ‘bad art’ as a liberating experience, and Jonah’s new project ‘You’re Never Really Alone,’ an emotionally evocative celebration of the precious relationship between improvisor and audience.

Ravish Momin started working under the moniker Sunken Cages in 2019, in order to showcase his unique production style which involves layering live-loops and manipulating them in real-time to blur the lines between composition and improvisation. While rooted in Indian folk and Black Music traditions, Momin is also influenced by the street sounds of South African G’com, Angolan Kuduro and Egyptian Mahraganat. Recorded on April 13th, 2023 at Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, MI for the Sound and Silence performance series.

Drummer and electronic music producer Ravish Momin joins the podcast.  Topics include curating musical and community spaces across class barriers, beat-based experimental music, and how Ravish’s upbringing in an Indian family that includes Muslims, Hindus, and Christians influenced his spirituality and musical identity. Learn more about Ravish and his solo electronic drum project, Sunken Cages, on his website.

An excerpt from an improvisation with a field recording that Alexis Lamb recorded at Zabalo River Quiet Park in Ecuador. Recorded on January 26th, 2023 at Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, MI for the Sound and Silence performance series.

Percussionist, Composer and Educator Alexis Lamb joins the podcast (our very first one we recorded in January 2023!) Topics include Internal and external listening practices, music in conversation with nature, Pauline Oliveros, and ‘The Church of Mountain of Plain.’

Percussionist, Composer, and Improviser Jonathan Barahal Taylor shares a new work for electro-acoustic drums and live electronics entitled Root Beneath Bones. This excerpt of the 50 minute performance was Recorded live at Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, Michigan on February 23rd, 2023 for the Sound and Silence Series.

Detroit-based percussionist, composer, and improviser Jonathan Barahal Taylor gives us an inside look into his history with musical and contemplative practices. How do we trust the musical knowledge in our body? How do we cultivate our own expressive musical and spiritual practices while also showing respect to the traditions that influence us? Jon offers a wealth of knowledge to us before performing his new work 'Roots Beneath Bones' for solo electro-acoustic drums and live electronics. Some of Jon's projects: Saajtaak Teiku Says Things ----------------------------- More info on Sound and Silence can be found here.

Creation Codes is one of saxophonist Marcus Elliot's own spiritual practice, in which Marcus works with the overtone series and intervalic musical relationships to explore “The science of sound and vibration.” Listen to the accompanying interview for more info. Recorded on March 23rd, 2023 at Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, MI for the Sound and Silence performance series. Engineering and production by Cameron Wilson.

Saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator Marcus Elliot discusses past and present attempts to explore Universal questions using music, from Ancient Egypt and Greece to John Coltrane and Yusef Lateef. His new work ‘Creation Codes’ is Marcus’ own spiritual practice, in which Marcus works with the overtone series and intervalic musical relationships to explore “The science of sound and vibration.”   Hosted by Cameron Wilson and Matthew Lukens Produced and edited by Cameron Wilson Intro music by Cameron Wilson