In BIMHUIS Productions‘ REFLEX series we invite makers to reflect on the world and contemporary society. For this edition, Frank Rosaly formed a band that incudes well-known improvisers he knows from living and working in Amsterdam and Chicago. Together with multi-instrumentalist Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti he has formed bands such as Mestizx and Ruidoscuro. Trumpeter Rob Mazurek is known from Chicago Underground Duo, and guitarist Jeff Parker from New Breed and Tortoise.

“These are love songs to the plundered territory, the nearly eradicated indigenous people and forced migrant ancestors of the African diaspora”. For REFLEX, drummer Frank Rosaly draws inspiration from various traditional Puerto Rican and Cuban music genres and drumming methods, without attempting to replicate them. The quartet seeks to find a shared yet hybrid sound in their celebration of resistance, perseverance, and pride.

Frank Rosaly was born and raised in the United States but has spent years immersed in the culture and music of Puerto Rico, his family’s homeland. The connection between ritual, music, and nature is reflected in his playing and compositions. For fifteen years, he was part of the Chicago improvisation scene and for the past ten years, he has been active from Amsterdam. He has collaborated with Bobby Bradford, Thurston Moore, Nels Cline, Joshua Abrams’ Natural Information Society, Colin Stetson, Ben LaMar Gay, Jaimie Branch, and many others.

REFLEX is a series of BIMHUIS Productions and is made possible with help of Ammodo Art & AFK.

Frank Rosaly drums/percussion/electronics, Rob Mazurek trumpet/cornet/bells/electronics, Jeff Parker guitar/electronics, Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti synthesizers/electronics/voice/percussion