The Eclectic Ensemble
is an ambient experimental music group that is capable of fitting into a diverse range of performing opportunities while maintaining musical consistency. The music of The Eclectic Ensemble is an instrumental style that is influenced by Jazz free-form improvisation, Asian harmonic structure, African, Middle Eastern, and Indonesian interlocking rhythms, and ambient texture schemes. Bass guitar, electric guitar, violin, custom dulcimer, programmed synthesizer, various bells/chimes, hand drums, and field recordings (market places, parties, ocean surf, etc.) are the most common instruments in The Eclectic Ensemble.
The Eclectic Ensemble (originally called The Minneapolis Improv. Group 1996- 2000) has been active in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul metro for 13 years performing at venues such as; Franconia sculpture Garden, St. Paul Landmark Center, The Walker Arts Center, The Soap Factory, Gus Luckys, The Weisman Art Museum, 1st. Ave., and Acadia Cafe.
Personnel
Tim Donahue
Director, bass guitar, percussion, sound effects
For the past 18 years, Tim has been composing, directing, and performing music in theater, film, installation, and live performance. With in the past 3 years Tim’s artistic work has been recognized by A Very Small Arts Fund, The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, The Jerome Foundation , The Puffin Foundation and The McKnight Foundation Currently, Tim is
-Directing and performing with The Eclectic Ensemble
-An ensemble member with Sandbox Theatre
-A freelance audio tech.
As a composer and performer, I am driven and inspired by the emotional and physical energy conveyed through music and sound. I seek to expand the role of art within society and to foster a new type of interaction between audience and artist. Music is how I speak to the human experience, a way of communication that expresses the universals of life; love, fear, mystery, joy, etc. My goal is to live a diverse life style where I apply myself in many different ways. I want the sum of my artistic skills, daily efforts and life experiences to add up to a collection of art and a life story that inspires and motivates other people and society.
Charlie Henrikson
key collaborator, guitar, violin, effects
John Vance
Synth, keys, and effects
http://www.myspace.com/wrongbandofficial
John Vance has been working in the underground music and film/video scenes in the Twin Cities since landing in the Midwest in 1989. While his work is centered around experimental sound performance and soundtrack, he has been involved in curating events and the general promotion of a wide-range of artistic activities, underground and otherwise. As a composer of varied musics (post-modern jazz, microtonal synth, noise electronica, power electronics) he leans toward open structures that facilitate improvisation and interactive performance, incorporating unconventional strategies and instrumentation.
The chief vehicles for most of his current artistic output are under the umbrellas of MOTS, Cock ESP and various solo work. He is also associated with the improvisational anti-group WRONG as well as collaborations with filmmaker Amelie Collins under the Panelectric moniker. Known primarily to use guitar and free electronics as instruments John is also obsessed with programming various modular synths, samplers, music software, found instruments and is also a classically trained tuba player. He runs the recording labels E.F Tapes and SunShip Records with Emil Hagstrom and has appeared on hundreds of releases and collaborations.
Guest Musicians
Greg Schutte, Drums and Percussion
Eddie Estrin, percussion, synth
Daniel Zamzow, cello
Mike Croswell, horns
John Jindra, guitar, voice, effects
