In a 1981 case study conducted at the University of Kansas, researchers described the experiences of a woman with the neurological condition called chromesthesia, which caused her to experience sound as "a visual color experience as well as an auditory sensation." Chromesthetics describe every sound they hear as triggering a simultaneous visual component. It is hard to imagine let alone approximate the kind of stimulating world experienced by people with this condition, but Saturday's Feast for the Senses 2: Eat, Love, Play performance at the Hoogland may just come close.
Among the items on offer as part of this (both literal and figurative) smorgasbord will be theTC-11 Multitouch Synthesizer, an iPad app which translates the motion of the user's fingertips across the touchscreen into both sound and image. Local multimedia artist and musician David Cain will demonstrate and perform using the app, with the spontaneous visuals enlarged on a projection screen. "People say, 'Oh it’s just an iPad,'" Cain scoffs. "No! it’s an instrument, a marriage of sound and image. I can't wait for people to see this and experience it."
As in the first Feast last June (recently broadcast on PBS), Cain will be joining forces with renowned, Grammy-winning percussionist Paul Wertico, most recognized for his work with jazz luminaries Pat Metheny and Kurt Elling.They will be performing with a more stripped down ensemble than last time, including double-bass virtuoso Larry Grayand trumpet player David Hoffman. Just like June's performance with a different, larger lineup, every note of tomorrow's show will be improvised on the spot. "Last time, a lot of people asked how long we rehearsed," chuckles Cain. "It was the first time Paul had played with any of those guys, there was no rehearsal at all. And I thought, that’s a compliment!"
In addition to the mix of high-tech and traditional instruments, sound designer Dean Giavaras will be mixing the show in surround sound. "Nowadays music is more about entertainment than anything," says Wertico. "And I’m not putting that down. What we are trying to do here is make art - we want people to be enlightened and entertained, and we also want to provide the kind of production value you might expect at a rock concert as opposed to a small jazz club."
The previous Feast found Wertico literalizing the proverbial by playing on an actual kitchen sink. This time, in keeping with the food-based theme of the show, Cain plans to utilize a specialized circuit board called MaKey-MaKey, which can be plugged into fruits, vegetables and other produce transforming those items into trigger pads for musical sounds. Of course, food is also for eating, and ticket-buyers who want to stimulate their tastebuds as well as their eardrums and eyeballs have the option of a gourmet dinner created especially for this evening by Chef Shaun Moore of Arena Food Service.
Cain's background in composition has left him hungry for something more purely spontaneous in his musical life, and this may just be it."I don't think I ever want to read another chart," he proclaims with a grin. "I’m having the most fun I’ve ever had playing and that’s because of Paul. So the pressures on, Paul!"
Wertico sums up the spirit of his collaboration with Cain and what to expect Saturday at the Hoogland: "Anything is really possible when you’re not afraid to try things."
Feast for the Senses 2: Eat, Love,PlaySaturday, March 16, 8pm,Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.523-2787
Tickets are $30, $15 students.$75 ticket includesa 6 p.m. meet-and-greet and 6:30 p.m. gourmet dinner.
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For the performance, while David Cain and Paul Wertico seem to be the ones highlighted in this article it was both Larry Gray and David Hoffman that seem to draw my interest and the interest of the people at my table. David Hoffman, a man we all are familiar with, is a humble musician who has played with the likes of Ray Charles but more important has his roots here in Springfield. His gentle spirit and his passion for music shows in all walks of his life. Larry Gray is so amazing and talented. His love and passion just touches the soul as he offers up his talents on strings and flute.
It could be me, but it seemed to me that these two were worth the price of admission. As for the other two there just seemed to be a contest going on and on a trip. Not my cup of tea. They seemed to go off into another world and forget that the audience was there. Dragging the first song on to almost 15 minutes. Ear piercing sounds is not what most of want to hear and it was not a feast to our ears. The drum solo was awesome until Wertico slammed down some sort of sound which made people jump out of their skin - not in a good way. Cain played mush with everything but not enough with any one thing that drew our attention.
Many people got up and left because the sound was just too loud, the room to cold and to be very honest - many people were very disappointed. I think Cain needs to consider looking at the changes he made from the last year and go back and see what the difference was that made it a success then and not this time. I believe he needs to evaluate his preforming and play more for the audience and less for himself.
Music for the senses should stimulate, relax and offer an experience that leaves one feeling much inner peace. This performance touched on that feeling at times, the keyboard, the strings, the flute, the shakers...all these when played with beauty and movement and when the musicians played off of one another and connected allowed for this awesome feeling and passion to unite but it would be short lived - it would go into a disturbing and unsettling type of feeling.
I love music. I love freedom. I love when these two combine, connect and intertwine. To me that is what makes a performance so unique. It is at this point I believe that music and dance connect and performers can either become as one or go off into their own world. I love when it is as one connection among many.
I love Cains lyrics, and there were times when that sounded like the band I remember, especially on one tune that started with a beautiful piano sound. but the music rarely fit with the words. It was confusing to me.
The cello and bowed bass were beautiful. The trumpet and the vocals soared. It could have been great. Too bad. Better luck next time.
And for the record, neither this event, nor the previous, was billed as a 'Senses' event. And, Horshoe, if you really bought $150 tickets, I'll know who you are on Monday.
For me, it is an honor and privilege to play with Paul and Larry, both amazing, world-class musicians. They played with great skill and passion, and worked hard on this show and fundraiser for the Hoogland. It is sad to me that a few people that I considered friends would speak with such negativity and hatred, anonymously.
Sincerely, David Cain.