Center for New Music
55 Taylor St SF
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sfSoundSalonSeries presents: Tone Ramblings – Eric Mandat + friends

Tickets: $15 General, $10 Members
Tickets available at the door only

Mixed improvisations and compositions featuring clarinetist and extended technique pioneer Eric Mandat, along with Tom Djll, John McCowen, and members of sfSoundGroup.

For more than 35 years, clarinetist/composer Eric Mandat has been at the forefront of clarinet extended performance techniques exploration, particularly multiphonics, microtones, and timbral modulations. Through his numerous performances, compositions, and master classes worldwide, Eric has had a profound influence on the way an entire generation of clarinetists approaches playing their instrument. The Chicago Reader writes, “Mandat is exploring new worlds…with a unique combination of virtuosity and a creative use of multiphonics…he uses them to create highly personal and expressive compositions that…are loaded with musical meaning.” Writing for the Village Voice, Kyle Gann notes the “suave physicality” of Eric’s presence as a performer, and finds his style to be “riveting.” The Clarinet states that his “process at writing and playing is bound to leave any listener in awe… (One) is constantly challenged and surprised by gorgeous tone color changes, exciting rhythmic action and 21st century clarinetistry,”

Eric is recipient of numerous honors and awards for his innovative and groundbreaking contributions to contemporary clarinet music, including multiple Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowships for Composition. He received the 1999 Southern Illinois University Outstanding Scholar Award, the university’s highest honor for research/creative work.

In addition to his work as a soloist and composer, Eric has enjoyed an extremely diverse performance career as a chamber musician and collaborator. He has been a member of the Chicago Symphony’s MusicNOW ensemble since 2000, working with eminent composer/conductors such as Pierre Boulez and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Since 1989, Eric has been a member of Tone Road Ramblers, an eclectic sextet specializing in improvisation and experimental music. Option magazine finds the Ramblers’ work “filled with wit, joy and creative sparkle.” Additionally, Eric has performed with many improvisers, including Gino Robair, Michael Zerang, James Falzone, and Francois Houle.

Eric Mandat received his education at the University of North Texas, the Yale School of Music, and the Eastman School of Music. He is Professor of Music and Distinguished Scholar at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he teaches clarinet and graduate courses in musical analysis.

Eric Mandat is a Buffet Group USA performing artist and clinician.

Audio samples in which musicians at this event play:

Videos featuring musicians playing at this event