Either or And

Recorded in 2014 following a successful performance at John Zorn's venue, The Stone, 'Either or And' captures the first studio collaboration between British free jazz pioneer Evan Parker and Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier. While Parker is often celebrated for his solo soprano saxophone works, this duo setting highlights his adaptability and responsiveness. Courvoisier is a perfect foil, utilizing extended techniques on the piano to meet Parker's multiphonics and microtonal explorations. The album was released on Relative Pitch Records and represents a significant entry in the 21st-century avant-garde canon. Critics, including those at Down Beat, noted the 'confrontational' yet 'pleasurable' nature of their communication. The tracks, ranging from the brief 'Penumbra' to the expansive 'Stonewall', showcase a range of improvisational strategies from dense, overlapping textures to sparse, pointillistic exchanges.