Formed in 2017, J Pavone String Ensemble features Jessica Pavone and Abby Swidler on violas, and Erica Dicker and Angela Morris on violins. The group's latest release, Lost And Found, combines both traditional notation and improvisation, with a focus on sustained collaborative playing and the application of ideas exploring the healing potential of sonic vibrations. It was recorded at Firehouse 12 in New Haven, Connecticut.
Speaking with The Wire's Philip Clark in November 2019, Pavone describes the original motivation behind the forming of this particular quartet, which strips away any lower octaves. “In April 2017, I was on the last leg of a rock tour as the bass player,” Pavone explains. “For five weeks I had schlepped around a lot of gear and endured very long soundchecks. Driving home, a violin came on the radio and, wow, it was the most beautiful sound in the universe and I knew it was time to start writing string music again. Violins and violas only, because all I could think about was a group that was lightweight and compatible – a compact ensemble that could potentially play spaces where music is not traditionally heard like gardens and hospitals.”