Harri Sjöström
Born on 29 February 1952 in Turku, Finland, found his voice in music on the soprano and sopranino saxophone. His music and fine art studies at Lone Mountain College, University of San Francisco and San Francisco Art Institute in the 1970s led him directly to workshops by John Cage, Bill Dixon, Vinko Globokar, George Russell, and his saxophone teachers Leo Wright and Steve Lacy. Since 1978 continuous extensive work as a freelance musician, composer and initiator of interdisciplinary ensembles in the field of contemporary improvised music and mixed media projects. Back to Europe 1978 he started to work with Derek Bailey, Teppo Hauta-aho, Paul Lovens, John Russell, Paul Rutherford, Alexander von Schlippenbach a.m.o. In 1980-1985 he lived in Vienna, Austria, which became his doorway to the European contemporary music scene; formed his first groups and organized numerous artist exchange-projects in Finland and elsewhere.
Ernesto Rodrigues
He has been playing the violin for 30 years and in that time has played all genres of music ranging from contemporary music to free jazz and improvised music, live and in the studio. His main interest shifted towards contemporary improvised and composed music. The relationship with his instruments is focused in sonic and textural elements. Electronic music was an early influence on his approach to violin playing, which challenges traditional romantic concepts of the violin/viola through use of preparations and micro tuning. Active in different settings on the Portuguese scene for free improvised music, both as a collaborator and in leading his own groups. Music for Dance, Cinema, Video and Performance. Has created the record label Creative Sources Recordings in 1999, which mainly concentrates on releasing experimental and electro-acoustic music.
Guilherme Rodrigues
Is a cellist, improviser, sound explorer and composer from Lisboa, Portugal. He was born in 1988 and started to study cello and trumpet when he was seven at Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa and later in Conservatório Nacional de Música de Lisboa to study classical and music theory until his twenty-three.
With an intuitive approach to improvisation and exploration of the timbres, using both classical and extensive techniques, his music is exciting, polyrhythmic and full of contrasts. His work probes the physicality of the space in which listening occurs. His music, comprising both acoustic and electro-acoustic works has been described as delicate, intense, focused and physical.
Apart from work in music ensembles ranging for contemporary classical to free improvisation, he often works with dancers. Has created music aswell for theater, radio, television and silent film.He is part of Creative Sources Recordings record label, music director of Hosek Contemporary Art Gallery and active member of Reanimation Orchestra.Has been following a professional career in music since 1997 and performs in concerts and workshops around Europe and Asia. Currently living in Berlin.
Pedro Melo Alves
Pedro Melo Alves is one of the most prominent drummers and composers in the recent avant-garde music scene in Portugal. Explorer of the expanded possibilities of percussion, improviser, ambitious composer for small and large formations, his work is known for the exploratory attitude and for boldy intersectioning different aesthetic circuits from jazz and erudite, to electronic, experimental and rock music.
Having been awarded with multiple awards and nominations (Bernardo Sassetti Composition Award, Premio Internazionale Giorgio Gaslini, El Intruso Best Revelation Group), he’s been increasingly present in the international music scene, presenting his projects in events such as Jazzahead (Germany), 12 Points Festival (Ireland), Europe Jazz Conference (Portugal), Saalfelden Jazz Festival (Austria), Ljubljana Jazz Festival (Slovenia), Suoni Per Il Popolo (Canada), Südtirol Jazz Festival (Italy) or Jazz em Agosto (Portugal).
