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I am a maker of "thingys" - sometimes these "thingys" take the form of various sounds or sentiments. Sometimes these "thingys" are visually oriented. Sometimes the "thingys" are conceptual projects or performance pieces. Sometimes the "thingys" are completed by myself and sometimes the "thingys" can only be complete through working with someone else. and sometimes the "thingys" manifest as organized patterns of intention that I generate in support of other artists' desires for their "thingys."
Translation: music + exploration + philosophy + vision + the frank agency = Beth Fleenor
(see below for the version with some specifics and some names you might recognize)
"Fleenor performs with emotionally immediacy and good humor. Her tone is vibrant and full bodied, and her ideas fertile." - All About Jazz (Seattle)
Since arriving in Seattle in 1998, clarinetist / vocal percussionist / composer Beth Fleenor has carved a place for herself as an energetic multi-instrumentalist and dynamic generative artist. Her robust malleable sound, organic approach to improvisation, and openness to experimentation in all forms, have fueled a list of collaborations ranging from shows in nightclubs, festivals and concert halls, to performance pieces, recordings, modern dance pieces, sound art and art installations.
Subscribing to the principle that "art is the discipine of being," Fleenor harbors a strong love for variety and all forms of sonic manipulation. Such flexibility has allowed her to move freely through genres including, but not limited to, jazz, rock, classical, contemporary chamber, metal, folk, ambient, surf, and noise.
In 2004, Fleenor commissioned and premiered ten works for clarinet - compositions ranging from standard ensemble configurations and notation, to works that included laptop, found instruments and electronics, prepared instruments and conductions. A recording of her commission Dubious Diversions, for clarinet and piano, by composer Tom Swafford, is included as part of the audio guide at Seattle Art Museum.
In 2007, Fleenor was awarded an Earshot Golden Ear award for Performance of the Year, as a member of the Monktail Raymond Scott Project. That same year she launched the sonic module Figeater.
Fleenor is honored to have performed new/commissioned works by composers Robin Holcomb, Denney Goodhew, Wayne Horvitz, Jim Knapp, Bill Patton, Yemin Kim, Paul Moore, Timothy Young, William O. Smith, Eyvind Kang, Gretta Harley, Tiflin, Jeff Huston, Tom Swafford, John Burrow, Johanna Kunin, Flora McGill, Nicole DeLaittre, Matt Coe, Stephen Parris, Brad Hebert, Matthew Richmond, Mark Ostrowski, Izaak Mills and Zachary Watkins, among others.
Currently she can be found performing with Bling, Figeater, Owcharuk 5/6, Double Yoko, Chick Influenza, and projects of the Monktail Creative Music Concern. She has also been sited ensuing mayhem with Balkan punk shaman clan Kultur Shock.
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