TonArt e.V. is an association of musicians founded in Hamburg in 1989 to play and promote improvised music in a broader sense. Tonart ensembles both work on entirely free improvisation but also all kind of conceptual, graphical or even almost traditional scores created by TonArt members or other composers (e.g. Anthony Braxton or Christian Wolff). From time to time the TonArt Ensemble even performs the music of sophisticated jazz artists like Thelonious Monk or Steve Lacy.
Usually smaller ensembles derived from the larger pool of its members work project based. Often insdiciplinary aspects play a important role in concepts and performances. There is an overall sense for democracy which also means TonArt has not a leader or "conductor". Project based usually two members join to temporarly fascilitate the work on projects.
TonArt has invited many famous improvisers and composers to come to Hamburg - e.g. Anthony Braxton, Evan Parker, Peter Kowald, Keith Rowe, Dieb13 or Ernesto Rodrigrues. Recordings of these cooperations (HatHut, True Muze...) created international recognition and even made it into the five star category of "Downbeat" magazine.
In 2009 Wu Wei will be our guest artist.
For detailed information and contact and an overview of all former and upcoming events please go to the German website "TonArt Hamburg e.V."
We kindly invite you to give us feedback on our music --comments published immediately.
