BARB TRUEX
PROJECT

BARB TRUEX PROJECT is a curious moniker: Why not “Sextet” or “Band”? Its use hints at the approach Truex takes when offered opportunities to interact with a serious listening audience. From the 1970s, in the context of the group Sidestep, through this concert, she selects and often composes material to suit a particular venue for one-time-only performances. In so doing, she entices a wide range of musicians…dancers…poets…and even clowns…to collaborate with her to offer truly unique performances.

The repertoire of the BARB TRUEX PROJECT for this Dimensions in Jazz concert is centered around “The Clown Suite.” Two of the four compositions making up the Suite were inspired by her work within the robust clown/pantomime community in Maine. Two are from a body of work written for a theater production by the Mad Horse Theatre Company with the same “circus” sensibility. Although The Clown Suite has been performed as a purely musical performance, Truex invited Michael Trautman, one of the many world-renowned artists living in Maine, to provide some real clowning for this presentation of the suite.

Other music presented will include more of her own pieces, compositions by other musicians in the group, and improvisations whose conceptual themes are provided by spoken poetry from Christopher White.

Musicians joining Truex for this performance include:

Gary Chapin – diatonic accordion
Steve Gruverman – clarinet, soprano saxophone
Peter McLaughlin – drums
Barb Truex – banjo and baritone ukuleles, electric dulcimer
Due to last-minute emergencies, the role of bassist has yet to be filled.

Run Time: 90 minutes, with no intermission.