Le GGRIL, Evan Parker

GGRIL [Le Grand Groupe Regional d'Improvisation Libérée] launches Vivaces, recorded concert conducted by famous British saxophone player Evan Parker. Going for seven years now, ''Le GGRIL'' is Tour de Bras' home big band, based in Rimouski, Québec, located hundreds kilometers east from urban centers. GGRIL is an eclectic reunion of improvisation enthusiasts from a large array of ages and musical traditions. The band features a dozen musicians living in Lower St-Lawrence region. They worked with various guest directors such as Jean Derome, Joëlle Léandre, Danielle P. Roger, etc.

Vivaces was recorded live from a concert held in Rimouski after a short workshop hosted by Evan Parker. The CD presents the music as played - without any editing - in order to preserve spontaneity from the meeting. Conductors Evan Parker and Raphaël Arsenault created mass movements using simple gesture in a largely freely improvised creation. This free act is a first release from Le GGRIL, who promises to come back soon. Evan Parker is a British free-improvising saxophone player from the European free jazz scene.

Recording and performing prolifically with many collaborators, Parker was a pivotal figure in the development of European free jazz and free improvisation, and has pioneered or substantially expanded an array of extended techniques. Critic Ron Wynn describes Parker as "[a]mong Europe's most innovative and intriguing saxophonists ... his solo sax work isn't for the squeamish." "-Tour de Bras