Sara Schoenbeck and Wayne Horvitz first met as musicians at the “Time Flies”
festival (Vancouver B.C.) in 2000. In 2004 Horvitz formed the Gravitas Quartet
with Schoenbeck, Ron Miles (Trumpet) and Peggy Lee (Cello). This quartet
recorded two CDs, and performed throughout Europe and North America. In 2015
Horvitz fused his ensemble “Sweeter Than The Day” with the Gravitas Quartet to
create a septet performing compositions based on the poem of Richard Hugo.
“Some Places Are Forever Afternoon” resulted in a CD, touring throughout the US,
and an episode of NPR’s “Jazz Night In America”, hosted by Christian McBride. In
addition, Schoenbeck and Horvitz have performed in numerous improvised
collectives, special projects, and the occasional duo concert.
In 2018, the duo Schoenbeck/Horvitz was created, with subsequent concerts in
NY, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Ann Arbor, Sacramento, Northhampton,
Buffalo, Edmonton Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago and Detroit.
Their first CD will be released on the Sonlgine label in May 2020 followed by
touring in the U.S. and Europe
Schoenbeck has collaborated with, among others, Anthony Braxton, Butch Morris,
Mark Dresser, Pamela Z, and Roscoe Mitchell, and maintains her commitment to
micro-tonal music and contemporary music. Recent performances include works
by both Boulez, and Xenakis, and as a featured improvising soloist with the Mivos
Quartet performing Horvitz’ These Hills of Glory (String Quartet and Improviser).
Horvitz, an integral member of the NY Downtown Scene in the 80s, is known for
his long-standing collaborations with John Zorn, Butch Morris, Bill Frisell, Robin
Holcomb et al., as well as a prolific composer for orchestra, string quartet, mixed
chamber instrumentations, and electronics. Recent works include commissions
for the Seattle Symphony, The North Corner Chamber Orchestra, and an
installation for the Seattle Art Museum.