Eric Snoza
As a jazz musician, Tony Barba is familiar with the art of improvisation. But his latest project takes free-form music in new — and often unexpected — directions with the addition of electronic effects to his solo saxophone stylings.
“For the most part, whenever I’m playing, I’m in complete control,” says Barba, 36, who moved to Madison from Chicago in 2013 and plays in a number of jazz outfits around town. “But when I use this sound-processing equipment, it’s almost like I’m interacting with something else entirely.”
Is it like playing a duet with a robot? Not quite, Barba says with a laugh. But sometimes, when he presses a button or turns a knob, the resulting musical effect is a total surprise. Then, in the moment, the unexpected sounds can lead Barba to new ideas.
“They’re like happy accidents,” Barba says. “It’s inspiring for me.”
Barba debuts his new music Thursday, Aug. 11, night at Gates of Heaven, where he’s splitting the bill with New York-based contemporary folk musician Sam Amidon, who’s stopping by on his way to Eaux Claires festival. The concert is part of the GateSound series put on by Tone Madison.
Barba is also working on an album showcasing his new solo work, titled Winter’s Arms, which he recorded over a period of several months earlier this year at Williamson Magnetic Recording Company. He began work on the project last winter after a bout of “seasonal depression” inspired him to translate the feeling into a series of dark, calming, meditative soundscapes. It’s experimental and perhaps a little avant garde, but Barba says the music is accessible to general audiences.
“There’s definitely an introspective quality to it,” he says. “It’s emotional music.”
Barba is also a member of the Youngblood Brass Band, fronts a jazz trio called Big Pinky and recently formed a new group called Barbacoa, which he describes as a “funky organ quartet.” But he’s looking forward to slowly releasing his solo recordings as he works on them, and he hopes to do some touring as a solo artist.
“My goal is to just try to grow [this project] and make more music,” Barba says. “Now that I’m a little older, I just want to keep playing.”
