FPR

frank gratkowski - alto saxophone, clarinet

phillip greenlief - alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet

jon raskin - alto & baritone saxophones

"a tightly knit ensemble of powerhouse players that explores improvisation and new composition systems. the members of the trio, a unique alternative to the standard quartet, are saxophonists who have extend the boundaries of language and extended techniques"

- andrew gilbert - east bay express

photo by polly moller springhorn - oakland

FRANK GRATKOWSKI

has been working as a soloist in various international formations (Grubenklang Orchester, Klaus Koenig Orchester, Musikfabrik NRW, Tony Oxley Celebration Orchestra, Bentje Braam, BikBentBraam, All Ears, Zeitkratzer, WDR Big band, etc.). Since 1990 he has been giving solo performances throughout Europe, Canada and USA. With his first solo program, he was a 1991 prizewinner in the Musik Kreativ contest. The release of the solo CD “Artikulationen” followed the same year and a new one “Artikulationen II” in 2002.

Frank Gratkowski played on nearly every German and on numerous international Jazz and contemporary music Festivals in Vancouver, Toronto, Chicago, New York, Seattle, Quebec, Les Mans, Muelhuus, Groeningen, Nickelsdorf, Barcelona, Lithuania, Warsaw, Zagreb, Prague, Bratislava, Sofia, Bucharest, Odessa and Roma, Huddersfield, London. In addition to giving workshops internationally, he teaches saxophone and ensembles at the Cologne, Berlin and Arnhem Conservatories of Music.

http://gratkowski.com/

http://www.jonraskin.com/

<< back to PROJECTS

JON RASKIN

(B. 1954; HEPPNER, OR) - BARITONE, ALTO, SOPRANINO SAXOPHONES, ELECTRONICS
Highlights of Rova founding member Jon Raskin's early career include his '70s participation in new music ensembles directed by John Adams (San Francisco Conservatory of Music) and Dr. Barney Childs (University of Redlands). Before Rova, Raskin served as music director of the Tumbleweed Dance Company (1974-77), was a founding member of the Blue Dolphin Alternative Music Space and participated in the creation of the Farm- an art project that included a city farm, a community garden, Ecology Center, Dance and Theater companies and organized the creation of a city park. Highlights as a member of Rova include composing a collaborative work for SF Taiko Dojo/Rova, working with Howard Martin on the installation work “Occupancy”, composing music for Mr. Bungle/ Rova, organizing the 30 year Anniversary Concert of John Coltrane's Ascension, performing the music of Miles Davis at the Fillmore with Yo Miles! , the Glass Head Project with Inkboat and the ongoing Electric Ascension Project.