As a teenager and wannabe punk-rocker, I was always hearing my musician friends talking about ‘jamming.’ They were going to jam, they wanted to jam, they were in the process of ‘jamming.’ A music lover but non-musician myself, this was a very elusive activity to me and one I still don’t completely understand.
Jamming is not just a thing of aspiring high school rock stars. The Improvising Musicians of Ottawa / Outaouias (IMOO) is a group influenced by jazz, classical, folk, and rock genres and committed to the exploration of improvisation in their music. Through improv, they are attempting various different ways of communicating, including, but not limited to, verbal, visual, gestural, and concrete methods.
Beyond merely creating music, the IMOO is supportive of new artists and fosters collaborations between the Ottawa area’s musicians while expanding artists’ audiences. They hold the position that culturally-oriented endeavors, like their own project, have positive effects on the community in which it exists.
The impacts do not stop there. Improvisation is excellent cognitive exercise. Improv involves the brain suppressing its self-censoring mechanisms at least to some degree while increasing one’s self-expression. It enables artists to get ‘in the zone.’ Essentially, it is one way an artist can allow their inner voice to shine through without hesitation or self-doubt. For more on the effects of improvisation, take a look at this interesting Ted talk, appropriately titled “Your brain on improv.”
To continue to support their initiative, the IMOO will be hosting their 3rd annual IMOOFEST 2014 on October 3rd and 4th at Club Saw. This will also be an opportunity for them to debut their 4th CD, IMOO Volume 4: 100. Over the two days, six acts will be featured: Jean Derome, Joane Hétu, Lina Allemano’s Titanium Riot, The Craig Pedersen Quartet, Mark Molnar, and David Broscoe and the IMOO Chamber Orchestra.
The festival will also be visiting City Hall to co-present an interactive event along with Ottawa New Music Creators and Jesse Stewart, percussionist and instrument builder. These tickets are free but must be reserved online to ensure you have a spot.
If improv is your thing, this festival is not your only chance to enjoy the IMOO. They host a bimonthly concert series on Sundays at Raw Sugar Café. Suggested admission is $5 – $10 or pay what you can.
The IMOO is looking for volunteers to assist in the organization’s activities, such as social media, archiving, working at events, translation, and more. Volunteers receive a number of perks and high school students can use their hours towards their graduation requirements.
If you’re an improv musician yourself and would like to participate, contact one of the programming directors and include your desired performance date, a short biography, samples of your music, and a link to your website.
Watch Lina Allemano’s Titanium Riot perform “Into the Sprig of Parsley” below:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7E62b_u0_A&list=UUBpWs1M4lNsN-aZCUMW8SEg[/youtube]
IMOOFEST 2014 – October 3rd & 4th, Club Saw (67 Nicholas St., Ottawa, ON, K1N 7B9). To attend both days a pass will run you $35, or $20 for a single day ticket. To buy passes or to donate, click here.
