Racer Sessions: James Falzone

• James Falzone, clarinet

Clarinetist, composer, and improviser James Falzone is an acclaimed member of the international jazz and creative music scenes; a veteran contemporary music lecturer and clinician; and an award-winning composer who has been commissioned by chamber ensembles, dance companies, choirs, and symphony orchestras around the globe. Educated at Northern Illinois University and New England Conservatory, James is also a respected educator and scholar and has been on the faculty of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Deep Springs College, North Central College, and was a fellow at The Center for Black Music Research. At present James is the Chair of Music at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington.

About Racer Sessions: At the Racer Sessions, we feature a different artist or group who perform original work and provide a short explanation of their creative process. Afterwards, a jam session takes place, often based on the concepts and approaches outlined in the opening presentation. 

The Racer Sessions’ musical focus is primarily centered on improvisation – particularly free or collective improv – and frequently incorporates the aesthetic and techniques of avant-garde jazz and classical music. However, we firmly believe that, as the name suggests, free improvisation should not be limited to any particular style, creed, or approach, and we warmly welcome performers of any persuasion (musicians, visual artists, dancers, etc.) to share their voice.

How to Participate: During the jam session, groups spontaneously form in the room to the side of the stage. There is no sign-up process, though on occasion, the featured artist may take a more active role in organizing groups. If you’d like to play, please make yourself known to a group or to the featured artist (or anyone who looks like they know what’s going on).

To prepare for each session, we recommend that everyone reads our blog, which features a post from the upcoming session’s curated artist, on the process of creating their piece, as well as recommended listening, approaches or meditations to prepare you for the jam session. 

Every featured artist’s presentation and jam session is recorded and documented on the Racer Sessions website. To listen back to previous sessions, visit the Artists page.

About Racer Sessions

http://racersessions.com/

About James Falzone, clarinet

Clarinetist, penny whistle player, composer, and improviser James Falzone is an acclaimed member of the international jazz and creative music scenes, a veteran contemporary music lecturer and clinician, and an award-winning composer who has been commissioned by chamber ensembles, dance companies, choirs, and symphony orchestras around the globe. He leads his own ensembles Allos Musica, Elaía Ensemble, Renga Ensemble, and the duo Wayfaring with Chicago bassist/vocalist Katie Ernst, and has released a series of critically acclaimed recordings on Allos Documents, the label he founded in 2000. James performs throughout North America and Europe, appears regularly on Downbeat magazine's Critics' and Readers’ Polls, and was nominated as the Clarinetist of the Year by the Jazz Journalist Association. He has been profiled in the New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, New Music Box, and Point of Departure, among many other publications. Also a respected educator and scholar, James is the Dean of Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. He is a Backun clarinet artist and plays penny whistles made by Chris Abell.