Since moving to NYC in 2000, Jessica Pavone (composer and viola) has been a part of many improvisations, avant jazz, experimental folk, soul, chamber, and chamber ensembles. Normal Love currently has her viola playing in a duo with Mary Halvorson and Anthony Braxton. She also plays solo violist. The Wire magazine gave her the highest praise as a composer. The New York Times called her music “distinct, beguiling…its core and execution are steely.” Pavone’s solo viola and vocal works are the result of years of long-term practice, a keen interest in song form and repetition, as well as a love for singing. Pavone combines long tone rituals with subtle melodies, delay and sparse lyrics while constantly experimenting with new forms. She is interested in the physicality of performing her somewhat larger-than-comfortable instrument and believes that cultivating physical bodies as a strong container for her thoughts is part of the creative process. She has worked as an instrumentalist with Elliott Sharp, Andrew Raffo Dewar and Leo Smith. Pavone has performed extensively in the U.S. and Canada, including at art galleries, community centers, basements, and international music festivals. Her music has been premiered at venues such as Roulette, Issue Project Room, The Kitchen and the Klangbad Festival, Sheer, Germany. NPR’s “The Mix” featured her music in 2011. She was also featured in the American Music Center, New Music USA, the Aaron Copland Recording Fund, The American Music Center, New Music USA, for her collaboration with Anna Sperber, The Kitchen and MATA. You can purchase Pavone’s music from Taiga Records and Tzadik as well as Thirsty Ears, Porter, Skirl and Peacock Recordings. from www.jessicapavone.com
