eyedrum proudly presents the distinguished trio, Stagner, Murray & Crompton, on Friday, June 16. Asheville-based duo, Drum Major Instinct will be kicking off the event.
The evening will be highlighted by Stagner, Murray & Crompton performing their distinctive piece, “Tributes”. This ensemble of two drummers and a saxophonist is recognized for their partially composed, mostly improvised performances, honoring drumming legends like Max Roach, Johnny Vidacovich, Joe Morello, and Sunny Murray.
Bob Stagner, a respected figure in the Old-Time Southern Avant-Garde and a native of Chattanooga, is part of this remarkable trio. Co-founder of the Shaking Ray Levis, Stagner has performed and recorded with numerous figures of avant-garde music.
Joining him is Kenito Murray, a skilled and adaptable drummer hailing from Atlanta. Murray has earned acclaim through his tours and recordings with the legendary Sun Ra saxophonist Marshall Allen.
Completing the trio is Jeff Crompton, a talented saxophonist and composer from Atlanta, known for performances with Michael J. Smith, the 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra, and more. Crompton also leads various ensembles, including Relay Station and Three Way Mirror.
Kicking off the event at eyedrum is Drum Major Instinct, an experimental music duo hailing from Asheville, North Carolina.
This duo features the talents of Jeff Arnal, mostly on percussion, and Curt Cloninger, mostly on modular synthesizer. Drum Major Instinct's sound is characterized by a fluid interplay of energy waves, intricate patterns, and natural-world inspired sounds, creating a musical experience that goes beyond the conventional.
Their 2022 self-titled release on Mahakala Music stands as a testament to their distinct sound: https://mahakalamusic.bandcamp.com/album/drum-major-instinct
Arnal, originating from Lilburn, Georgia, has had an extensive career as an artist, curator, community organizer, and arts administrator, with a noteworthy performance history, including duo concerts with free jazz saxophonist Charles Gayle and performances at the Vision Festival in NYC. Currently, Arnal directs the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center in Asheville, NC.
On the other end of the duo, Cloninger, an artist, musician, writer, and Associate Professor of New Media at the University of North Carolina Asheville, brings a diverse creative background to the table. His art has been featured in the New York Times and shown at various galleries worldwide. He's authored five books, the most recent being "Some Ways of Making Nothing: Apophatic Apparatuses in Contemporary Art" (Punctum Books, 2021).
7PM | $5 advance / $10 at door | All Ages
ADVANCE TICKETS HERE