Hear in Now Expanded (Tomeka Reid, Silvia Bolognesi, yuniya edi kwon, Chad Taylor) + QWANQWA

“Weaving Strands of Sound from Addis to Chicago” is a collaborative musical experience between the Ethiopia-based QWANQWA and Hear in Now Expanded (Tomeka Reid, Silvia Bolognesi, yuniya edi kwon, Chad Taylor).

At the core of both ensembles are stringed instruments, with each group exploring tradition and experimentalism in their unique way, pushing musical boundaries and expectations within their respective communities. Upon meeting in Addis Ababa, Tomeka Reid and Kaethe Hostetter felt inspired to find a way to combine their worlds of tradition and experimentalism, using their varied musical languages and experiences. While both ensembles rely heavily on improvisation, the sources and means of that improvisation are very different. The goal of this exchange is to share stylistic improvisational techniques between the two groups. Specifically, HIN members who have worked extensively with Butch Morris and Anthony Braxton will share conduction techniques with the members of QWANQWA, and in return, QWANQWA will share the many scales and rhythms used in traditional Ethiopian music.