Hearding Cats Collective Presents In the Wake of a Kiss

In the Wake of a KISS is inspired by a meeting between Andrew and Rich at the Kyma International Sound Symposium (KISS) in Santa Cruz, CA last year. KISS is an annual gathering of lectures and performances focusing on the KYMA sound computer, which has been called the most powerful sound design instrument in the world.

Both seasoned improvisers, the event will feature Andrew Raffo Dewar performing on soprano saxophone and Rich O’Donnell on his abstract drum set. Both acoustic instruments will be processed through independent KYMA systems to create extended sonic possibilities.

Andrew will start the event with a  solo sax/kyma set, and after an ear-reset intermission, Rich will join him for a quad duet: each of them delivering a stereo pair of unique and adventurous sounds.

Andrew Raffo Dewar (b.1975 Rosario, Argentina) is a composer, soprano saxophonist, electronic musician, ethnomusicologist, and arts organizer whose work has been performed or installed throughout North America, Southeast Asia, and Europe. He appears on nearly two dozen recordings, including study/work with experimental music innovators Anthony Braxton, Bill Dixon, Steve Lacy and Alvin Lucier. He has received support for his work from the National Endowment for the Arts, Chamber Music America, The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, NewMusicUSA, ASCAP, the Getty Foundation, Arts International, Meet The Composer, The San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Dewar is an Associate Professor in New College and the School of Music at the University of Alabama.

Rich O’Donnell is a percussionist, improvisor, composer, designer and builder of percussion and electronic instruments, teacher and writer. He was director of the Electronic Music Studio at Washington University. He has encouraged and facilitated the growth of independent contemporary music in the community for 49 years as music director of the St. Louis New Music Circle, which he left in 2009.  He retired in 2002 after 43 years as principal percussionist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. In 2009, he co-founded HEARding Cats Collective, an artists collective working to keep St. Louis strange and wonderful.