Monday 26 September 2022, 8pm
We are pleased to welcome composer, percussionist, producer and instrument maker Bex Burch for a special two-day residency, presenting an intimate portrait of her core practice and special collaborations.
The second night Burch leads her critically acclaimed band Vula Viel (comprising bassist Ruth Goller and drummer Jim Hart) straddling the divergent worlds of minimalism, post punk, and improvisatory jazz with equal success. The trio are joined by NYC legend Peter Zummo, who in addition to performing his own compositions and leading his own ensembles, has worked with myriad bands, orchestras, composers and musicians. His celebrated trombone style is recognised as one of the most beloved features of Arthur Russell's sound, for whom he played and collaborated with in the recording studio.
The general aim of Burch's practice is to continue to develop her own improvisational language, called 'messy minimalism'.
Employing percussion and hand-crafted xylophones in new and unexpected ways Bex Burch has carved out a unique sonic space for herself. Her restless creativity and desire to embrace new musical challenges across a range of percussive instruments have led to collaborations with a diverse range of artists such as Peter Zummo, Kuljit Bhamra, Sarathy Korwar, Tamar Osborn, Gwyneth Herbert, Leafcutter John and Luke Stewart.
"Dance to it, make love to it, stare at the clouds to it" - Iggy Pop
“They were the unexpected stars of a glitzy show” – John Fordham, The Guardian (UK)
Vula Viel was formed in 2013 by Bex Burch. After studying at Guildhall and training as a classical percussionist, she embarked on a life-changing three-year period living, farming and studying with xylophone master Thomas Segura in Upper West Ghana; the band’s name means ‘Good is Good’ in the Dagaare language. After being mentored in the deep traditions around the Gyil, a large African xylophone made of sacred lliga wood, Burch began the journey to bring the instrument into her own music. The acclaimed debut Vula Viel album in 2015, ‘Good is Good’, was the first realisation of her vision and ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ is the first set of Burch originals,written on traditional Dagaare forms.
Described as “Ghanaian minimalism”, with the unassuming ability to blur the lines between atmospheres – Vula Viel’s sound may nod to Steve Reichian jazz, but influences don’t stop there: one can hear echoes of Bill Laswell and the irresistible energy of Arthur Russell.
PITCHFORK have previously called ZUMMO's trombone work “peerless” and have described his music as “the sound of sublimity…that sends shivers down the nervous system.” In an interview with THE QUIETUS, OPTIMO’s JD TWITCH characterised ZUMMO's playing as “sheer bliss.”
In addition to performing his own compositions and leading his own ensembles, ZUMMO has worked with myriad bands, orchestras, composers and musicians. His celebrated trombone style is recognized as one of the most beloved features of ARTHUR RUSSELL's sound, for whom he played and collaborated with in the recording studio. Among many others are PETER GORDON and his LOVE OF LIFE ORCHESTRA, drummer-producer TOM SKINNER (Hello Skinny), cellist-composer/producer OLIVER COATES, the LOUNGE LIZARDS, including the recording of TEO MACERO’s Fusion, which also featured the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Downtown Ensemble. He lives in New York City.
