The Wide Alley

This unique fusion of East and West started eight years ago in Australia with an award-winning Chinese composer who is an expert in Sichuan street music, folk music, and Chinese opera percussion. Add in a pair of avant gardists called Clocked Out and you get the beginning point for startling soundscapes where traditional instruments are used in remarkable new ways, and improvisation enters little explored sonic territory. Codirected by percussionist Vanessa Tomlinson and pianist Erik Griswold, the Wide Alley multicultural ensemble includes Robert Davidson contrabass, Peter Knight trumpet, Adrian Sherriff trombone, Shi Lei bamboo flute, Tian Linping vocals, Zhong Kaizhi percussion, Zhou Yu erhu and Zou Xiangping vocals/percussion.