Thollem McDonas

Creativity is theoretically infinite. Just as improvisors can play the same song every night and have it sound different every time, existing recordings can have their materials combined in different ways, re-mixed, re-ordered, re-everything'd. Some people prefer the comforting solidity of a single version, unchanging, but that is antithetical to the jazz spirit. The infinity of creativity is being explored in two upcoming projects by Thollem (McDonas). Worlds in a Life, Two is the second of two albums that Thollem created using samples from all of the six Thollem/Cline Trio albums as the primary sound sources (including double bass, piano, organ, electric guitar, drums, MIDI-accordion, and voice). The approach developed naturally out of the process of creating The Light Is Real with Nels and Terry Riley on Other Minds Records. In 2012 came Thollem and Nels' first trio collaboration was with William Parker. The following albums include the Radical Empathy Trio with Michael Wimberly, and with Pauline Oliveros (Roaratorio). Worlds in a Life, Two was recorded in real-time on a Wavestate, with no overdubs, in January and February 2024. This music is a celebration of the limitless palette of sounds and the infinite, known and unknown, revealing discoveries made through intensive explorations over two months. Personnel: Thollem (composer, Wavestate); Nels Cline (guitars); Pauline Oliveros (MIDI-accordion); William Parker (double bass); Terry Riley (vocals); Michael Wimberly (drums).