The Roulette Tapes

Saxophonist Lenny Pickett discusses his career straddling popular culture and the avant-garde, from his work with David Bowie and Saturday Night Live to his own ensemble work for dance, film, and the concert hall, illustrated with examples from 1984-2018 including the Borneo Horns, his score for choreographer Bebe Miller, and plenty of gospel and R&B influenced pyrotechnics. With appearances by Jack Bashkow and Stan Harrison on saxes; a quartet with Michael Wolff, piano, James Genus, bass, John Hadfield, percussion; and a duo with Cheryl Hardwick, piano.

The composer and clarinettist discusses his fascination, influences, and obstacles to film scoring and re-imagining 20th Century classics, illustrated with excerpts including his projects ranging from Messiaen to Warner Bros. cartoons and inspiration from Lalo Schifrin to Jean Michel Basquiat.

Equal parts composer, vocalist, and storyteller Shelley Hirsch is universally admired for an astounding gift firing off free association between words and sounds, which is our focus in this edition. Here with collaborators keyboardist/arranger Simon Ho, turntablist Christian Marclay, guitarist Kazuhisa Uchihashi, pipa master Min Xiao Fen, electronic percussionists Ikue Mori & Samm Bennett, cellist Okkyung Lee, keyboardist David Weinstein, and Horst Rickels’ Mercurius Wagen.

The drummer discusses origins, influences, and compositions with excerpts from his always collaborative projects: 7 Poets Trio (with Patricia Brennan, vibraphone and Tomeka Reid, cello), Thumbscrew (with Michael Formanek, bass and guitarist Mary Halvorson), a duo with bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, and Triple Double for Fujiwara and Gerald Cleaver, drums; Halvorson and Brandon Seabrook, guitars; and Ralph Alessi, Adam O’Farrill, trumpets.

The mysteriously named composer/sound artist investigates sonic properties of traditional drums and percussion “objects” including discarded industrial materials, toys, and even food, plus a fascination with the Trinidadian steel pan. From the Roulette Archive dating 1984-2017, solos, duo projects with Takehisa Kosugi and Yves Musard, a trio (The Chutneys) with Gelsey Bell & Chris Cochrane, some conversation, and more.

The violinist/composer discusses her classical training, mastering improvisation, Korean heritage, and introduces us to musical examples recorded at Roulette with collaborators including Marco Cappelli, Susie Ibarra, Rubin Kodheli, Ikue Mori, Michael Nicolas, Vongku Pak, and the Talujon Percussion Ensemble.

Turntable, sound, and installation artist Maria Chavez, based in New York by way of Texas and Peru, demonstrating tools and techniques and performing in a variety of settings recorded over the years at Roulette, with appearances by longtime collaborators David Dove and Sandy Ewen and spirit guide Pauline Oliveros. Plus a peek at her 2019 release, “Playing”. A preview for her February 2021 livestream concert from Roulette.

The vibraphonist in conversation and concert excerpts illustrating composition, collaboration, influences, and his relation to the instrument. Plus a glimpse ahead to new works created for his 2021 Roulette residency, starting with a live stream on 30 January.

The composer/multi-instrumentalist whose output ranges from noise to blues and from electronic to orchestral works discusses improvisations and compositions recorded at Roulette between 1987-2018, illustrated with projects featuring CK Noyes, Orchestra Carbon, SysOrk, The Veni Academy, and solo flights including The Velocity of Hue.

The electronic sound artist in conversation about vulnerabilities, strengths, transitions, and technology and how these impact her art works and life choices. With musical excerpts featuring solos and collaborations with Ka Baird, Joe Hertenstein, and Jim Denley. Note: Penalosa’s Roulette concert has been rescheduled for 26 January 2021.