The Names

A statement

The Names is a new Berlin/Amsterdam collective of creative musicians playing open, yet melodic, pieces in a Cage/Oliveros informed spectrum of improvised strategies and open-ended compositions. Giving homage to the Chicago tradition of AACM music as well as praise to progressive thinking in society, highlighting people such as Angela Davis, Michelle Alexander, Audre Lorde and composers such as Anthony Braxton, Eva-Maria Houben, and George Lewis, whose names, along with the names of band members and friends, have been used as the melodic or structural impetus of each composition.

Shaped by the ideas of critical music, listening and sounding practices, and the position of the post-musical, the group combines playing musical material with reflections on public space, society, and the world of ideas at large. For now, the music revolves around the open-ended compositions and arrangements of Koen Nutters, which serve as a conduit for each member’s personal and musical expressions. Each member, as a composer in their own right, is invited to contribute material to the collective’s repertoire.

The Names (Berlin)

Heather Frasch - flute

Carina Khorkhordina - trumpet

Quentin Tolimieri - melodica

Han-earl Park - electric guitar

Koen Nutters - upright bass

More Information about the Project: http://www.lateraladdition.org/#66

2022 Release: https://editionsverde.bandcamp.com/album/ev012-four-names-and-a-song

2023 Release: https://thenameswa.bandcamp.com/album/the-alte-m-nze-sessions

Review of 2023 Release: https://www.squidco.com/cgi-bin/news/newsView.cgi?newsID=2670