SPOTLIGHT 27: OLIVIA BELLI | JENNIFER BELLOR | TINEKE POSTMA

textura is excited to feature Olivia Belli, Jennifer Bellor, and Tineke Postma in its twenty-seventh ‘Spotlight,' with each artist represented by an excellent new album: River Path (Belli), Reflections at Dusk (Bellor), and Freya (Postma). textura is deeply grateful to the artists for contributing to the article.

OLIVIA BELLI

Who: I'm an Italian pianist and composer who had classical training with amazing artists such as Aimard, Berman, Kuhn, and Lonquich(and more). But after a few years giving concerts as a classical pianist, I felt that that way of making music was too narrow and so worked on special projects performing works by Cage, Reich, and Crumb and also commissioned new works. Though I learned a lot from their new approach to music, I wasn't happy with that either. After a long break, I found my personal path. In 2017 I began self-releasing my albums: at the beginning, I focused on performing contemporary artists like Richter, Einaudi, and Glass but since then have been releasing my original music too.

I love making music mainly with a piano, or even better with all kinds of pianos: grand, upright, contemporary, old and noisy, virtual. Each piano has a special voice that inspires different tones. I also enjoy manipulating the sound that comes out by adding material inside them or using electronics and sound samples recorded in my home and surroundings or during my travels. After living in big cities, I decided to settle with my family in the open countryside: we chose the rolling hills of Marche (Italy) where I finally found the right atmosphere to focus on my creativity and follow the natural rhythm of nature that's a strong inspiration for me.

What: My genre is modern and new classical with something from Ambient and Easy Listening.

Currently: I'm now releasing a piano album, River Path, for 1631 Recordings: twelve original piano songs created, composed, and performed at a riverside on a warm Italian day and all inspired by the endless and changing force of the river.

On April 2020 I will release for Memory Rec MATER, a tribute for the 50° Anniversary of the Earth Day. MATER—eight songs for piano, strings and electronics—is a musical meditation on environmental issues. After living in various metropolises, my husband and I chose to live in the open Marche countryside where we can take care of our land, follow more natural rhythms, educate our children to respect nature, and have a less invasive effecton the environment. Every day, in our daily lives, we make decisionsto reduce our environmental impact because we believe that the lives of seven billion people can make a difference. Our hope is to preserve the planet and deliver it intact to our childrenand the children of their children so that they also can continue to enjoy its extraordinary beauty.

Distinguishing characteristics of my music: Typical Italian equilibrium and grace enriched with subtle and inner melodies.

Musical philosophy: I want and try to share inspiring stories through music, stories that deeply moved and involved me with the hope that they resonate with audience too.

Favourite artists and strongest influences: Philip Glass, Ludovico Einaudi, and Max Richter from our time; Bach, Chopin, and Satie from the past.

Recordings that have deeply affected me: Dracula by Philip Glass; Elements by Ludovico Einaudi; Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter; Bach Recomposed by Peter Gregson; the two versions of Bach's Goldberg Variations by Glenn Gould.

A memorable event, concert, or experience: The nine symphonies of Beethoven performed in four days by the Berliner Philharmoniker and Simon Rattle.

Web site: OLIVIA BELLI

JENNIFER BELLOR

Who: I'm originally from Northern New York (Massena, NY). I now live in Las Vegas, Nevada and am on the composition faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I earned my BA from Cornell University, MM in music composition from Syracuse University, and PhD in music composition from the Eastman School of Music. Music has been a part of my life since I was three years old studying violin, then piano, French Horn, and voice, and when I decided to pursue music composition while doing my undergraduate degree at Cornell.

What: I write for various instrumentations: vocal music (written operatic works, art song with various mixed ensembles), instrumental chamber works, percussion ensemble works, big band, wind ensemble works featuring jazz combos, orchestra, saxophone choir, and flute choir, and have written music for dance and various other collaborations. A lot of my music is inspired by text—poetry—and images. Additionally, I enjoy creating multiple versions of a piece. The most recent example of this is my piece High Resolution—one version for string orchestra, harp, and percussion, and another for big band.

Currently: Recently completed my second percussion quartet piece titled This We Have Now for Clocks in Motion Percussion. I'm their resident Clock Shop composer and will be writing four percussion quartets for them. I will also be creating multiple versions of this piece: for orchestra, and also a duet version with improvisation featuring EWI and electric vibraphone.

New song cycle titled A Smile and a Sigh, which was originally written for electric guitarist D.J. Sparr and soprano Kristina Bachrach; there are also two other versions: one for soprano and piano, and the other for two singers with piano and/or mixed ensemble.

Orchestra version of 898 Hildegard, which was originally composed for SATB and Orchestra. The orchestra version was written for the University of Rochester Orchestra and will be premiered in April when I'm in residence as their guest composer.

Only Breath for clarinet and marimba commissioned by Transient Canvas.

AdZel Duo will be performing the clarinet duet version of All Rivers at Once for premiere at the 2020 ClarinetFest.

At conferences and festivals in March, my composition Remember for SATB and piano will be presented at the Music by Women Festival in Mississippi, and my pieces Amethyst Sunset and High Resolution will be performed at the 2020 SCI Conference.

Distinguishing characteristics of my music: My music has been described as “whimsical,” “lyrical," and “ethereal."

Musical philosophy: To compose music that represents who I am and continue to work hard, create, and collaborate.

Favourite artists and strongest influences: (20th-21st century) Claude Debussy, Joseph Schwantner, Maria Schneider, Benjamin Britten, Steve Reich, Radiohead, Kindo, Our Oceans, Mars Volta, Tori Amos, and Bjork.

Recordings/tracks that have deeply affected me: (albums) From The Choirgirl Hotel and Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos; Bjork's Vespertine; (song)“Crystal Silence” by Chick Corea with Gary Burton on vibes; Dawn Upshaw singing Joseph Schwantner's “Black Anemones” on White Moon: Songs to Morpheus; “The Moments In Between” on the album Rhythm, Chord, and Melody by Kindo.

A memorable event, concert, or experience: It's difficult to narrow down, but if I had to here are three:

With the help of many amazing friends, performers, dancers, colleagues, and teachers, my dissertation chamber opera Christabel was premiered in April 2013 in the Ray Wright Room at Eastman School of Music.

The Washington National Opera American Opera Initiative concert where I had the opportunity to hear the premiere of my twenty-minute chamber opera in November 2013. It was such an amazing experience working with my wonderful librettist Elizabeth Reeves, the incredible singers, and ensemble.

Conducting my music with the Eastman New Jazz Ensemble. Dave Rivello has been incredibly inspiring to me—he motivated me to write my first piece for big band for the group, and I've written many since then. When I was back on the Eastman stage in April 2019 to conduct High Resolution, it felt amazing to be a part of the performance with everyone involved. Also in April 2019, it was a wonderful experience working with the Clark High School orchestra on the version of High Resolution for strings, harp, and percussion, and I was thrilled to be at Carnegie Hall to hear them perform it.

Web site: JENNIFER BELLOR

TINEKE POSTMA

Who: I'm a Dutch saxophonist (alto and soprano) and composer who's been touring internationally since 2003 as a bandleader (Tineke Postma Quartet, Sonic Halo, Tineke Postma International Group) and performed as a guest with prominent musicians and groups such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Barron, Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, and Wayne Shorter. I've released six albums as a leader, all of which were met with critical acclaim, and was selected as the Rising Star for soprano saxophone in Downbeat's 2019 critics poll.

I've received many awards, including the Heijmans Award, the Singer Laren Jazz Award, an Edison National Category for the Tineke Postma Quartet album The Dawn of Light, and the prestigious Buma Boy Edgar Award (2015). I was also part of two Grammy-winning albums by Terri Lyne Carrington (Mosaic Project) and Dianne Reeves (Beautiful Life).

In 2003 I graduated cum laude from the Conservatory of Amsterdam and Manhattan School of Music (2002) and stayed in NYC from 2009 to 2013. I'm the department head and teacher of the saxophone faculty of the Codarts Conservatory Rotterdam and also teach at the Conservatory of Amsterdam.

What: Modern improvised music that encompasses a wide range, from traditional jazz to more free avant-garde sounds. I like to write multi-layered music with conceptual elements. The musicians I ask to play with me are free to do impose themselves on my music, and as they are some of the most creative musicians around I know that whatever they come up with will be great.

Currently: On March 20th, Freya (Edition Records, UK), my seventh album, will be released internationally. It was recorded in NYC at the Oktaven Audio studio with trumpeter Ralph Alessi, bassist Matt Brewer, drummer Dan Weiss, and pianist Kris Davis. For me, Freya is something of a come-back as a leader and is my most personal project to date. In 2014 my son was born, and motherhood has provided me with a wide range of emotions and new perspectives on life. The album's full of lyrical melodies, exciting chords, groovy pieces, lots of interplay between the band members, and room for silence and adventure.

My trio Bloom, which includes pianist Marc van Roon and drummer Tristan Renfrow, had its first performance as a trio in early 2017 at the Amersfoort Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. This trio stems from the desire to make music using an unconventional line-up, namely a trio without bass. Our debut record will come out this fall. I'm also part of the Nathalie Loriers Trio, which has released two albums with a third planned for release next year.

Distinguishing characteristics of my music: I like to play lyrical, groovy, emotional music that's rooted in the jazz tradition. I like to take risks, challenge myself, and not play on automatic pilot.

Musical philosophy: Music and jazz should be beyond category, gender, race, and religion. Making music is for me about expressing freedom, life, inspiring others, taking risks, exploring my journey as a human being, and a way to learn about myself and about life. That's why I want to be humble, human, and honest in the process of creating music and want to commit to this for the rest of my life.

Favourite artists and strongest influences: John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Lee Konitz, Charlie Parker.

Recordings that have deeply affected me: Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley; Charlie Parker Memorial, Vol. 1; Jack DeJohnette's Made in Chicago; Wayne Shorter's Alegria; Konitz Meets Mulligan.

A memorable event, concert, or experience: I performed in 2019 at the Kennedy Center with Herbie Hancock in Washington when Wayne Shorter received the Kennedy Honours Award. We performed together with Esperanza Spalding, The Wayne Shorter Quartet, Joe Lovano, Weather Report members such as Alphonso Johnson and Alex Acuña, and my mentor Terri Lyne Carrington. It was a dream come true to play the music of Wayne for him with these incredible musicians.

Web site: TINEKE POSTMA

March 2020