BEMIDJI — Think of it as a conversation. That's how musician Steve Hirsh describes what Nathan Hanson and he do on stage when they perform together.
Hirsh, on drums, will perform with Hanson on saxophone at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Headwaters School of Music and Arts in Bemidji. It will be a unique experience; the entire performance will be improvised. Every note will be created in the moment.
Hirsh told Area Voices on the KAXE Morning Show that he and Hanson have been playing together for many years, and the concert in Bemidji will be the first in a series of dates celebrating the release of their new album.
Even though both players have a history with jazz music, they said they wouldn't describe their show that way. Hirsh said they can't put what they're doing into a genre.
"Nothing is pre-arranged. There's no preset music. There's no discussion. We get together, and we start playing."
These two started playing together through a series of connections. When Hirsh still lived in Bemidji, he played in bands around the area. Bemidji State University was hosting a conference, and he attended and met poet J. Otis Powell.
"I just heard him read and I said, 'I want to play with you.' So, we started playing together and he introduced me to the improvised music players down in the cities."
When Hirsh moved to the Twin Cities, he eventually met Hanson through other players. They enjoyed hanging out and had similar ideas on how to make music, so they started to play together.
Hirsh said when they perform, the audience plays a role in it.
"There's an energy exchange between the performance and the audience," Hirsh said. "We're all gathered together to kind of have an experience. Music is so powerful, and it elevates our spirits in such profound ways."
In addition to the concert, Hirsh and Hanson will teach a music improv class Saturday, Sept. 26. They help musicians learn how to play without having someone direct them.
"A lot of musicians just don't have [the ability] to just pick up their instrument and make music, and so that's what this is about. It's just an opportunity to kind of explore that."
Tickets for the concert and class are available at the Headwaters School of Music and Arts’ website. They will also have their new CD at the concert.
Listen to the full conversation with Hirsh including how he got into music by clicking above.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
