Fluctuations in Blue – Fragmentations and Fermentations is a new suite by Blue Lines Trio with a special role for viola player Mary Oliver. The shared affinity for the jazz tradition and sonic textures of 20^th century music led to a dynamic, open piece. It combines original themes with references to, among others, Duke Ellington, Oscar Pettiford, Walt Disney’s cartoon music, Thelonious Monk, John Cage, Charles Mingus, Brian Ferneyhough, Steve Lacy en Misha Mengelberg.

The Blue Lines Trio continues to look for new possibilities of playing together as a unit. Tradition and original ideas are playfully interwoven in a melting pot of, in their own words, ‘mild anarchy, bouncy swing, crunchy chords, found melodies, spirited ballads, woogie tunes and interim scores.’ Mary Oliver is a long-time performer of modern and contemporary composed music who premiered works by the likes of Cage, Czernowin, Ferneyhough and Xenakis. As an improviser she’s active all over the world, for example with ICP Orchestra.

Mary Oliver viola, Michiel Scheen piano, Raoul van der Weide double bass/crackle box/sound objects, George Hadow drums