Sam Pluta - Composer/Improviser



Improvisation has increasingly become an integral part of what I do. Over the past years, I have been developing my chops on the laptop in solo and group situations. For about 5 years I have been improvising with Glissando bin Laden, my quartet with Jim Altieri, Carrie Mallonee, and Alex Ness. I have also been playing of late with the Peter Evans Quintet, a killing jazz group with Peter, Jim Black, Tom Blancarte, and Carlos Homs. We recently toured Germany, with performances at the Donaueschingen New Music Festival, the Enjoy Jazz Festival in Mannheim, and at the StadtGarten in Cologne.

In a more intimate setting, I recently recorded a set of duos entitled sum and difference with Peter Evans and Jim Altieri that was released in March 2011 on Carrier Records. I have also had the joy of performing with some great international artists like Anne LeBerge, George Lewis, Jim Black, and Tony Buck.

For a while I was focusing on sound/video improvisation as a solo performer. This kind of work got lonely, but you can see my two works in this genre below.

Performers
Playback
Title and Description
Sonic Overload - Jim Altieri, Dan Peck, Jeff Snyder, Tom Blancarte, Peter Evans, and Sam Pluta
This is Sonic Overload playing at the AC Institute in Chelsea. It is one forty or so minute sound-fest
Peter Evans and Sam Pluta
Fusion - This track is from sum and difference. This is trumpet with live-processing.
Glissando bin Laden
The Bear Whisperer's Gavotte - This is by far the nastiest track Glissando ever made. The two violins are basically playing fourths and octaves, but the particular versions of these intervals, combined with intense distortion and electronics, creates a pretty special sound world. You can download our album or purchase a physical copy on the Carrier Records website.
Jim Altieri and Sam Pluta
Sum and Difference B (excerpt) - Also from our sum and difference. This is violin with live-processing. This is as simple as live processing gets. Ring Modulation - 1960s technology. But with Mr Altieri on the violin, it takes on new meaning.
Peter Evans Quintet
This is a short excerpt from the Peter Evans Quintet's performance in Cologne in October, 2010. This section of the performance goes from my solo into a live-processed trio of Carlos Homs, Jim Black, and Tom Blancarte.
Wet Ink Ensemble - Alex Mincek/Sam Pluta soloists
This excerpt is unique in that Alex and I are soloing over a composed work for ensemble. The result is a combination of tight ensemble playing with freer, expressive playing on top.

data structures/monoliths ii (for chion)




American Tokyo Daydream I (calypso sunrise)


©2011 Sam Pluta