Jazz Meets Gamelan

 For the last two and a half years, the Black House Improviser’s Collective has made its home in an unoccupied floor of a downtown office building provided by the Charlotte Street Foundation.

There, the loose group of composers and improvisers meet in three sessions a year to create original music.

About a year ago, the Indonesian percussion ensemble Gamelan Genta Kasturi also moved into the space. Like the Odd Couple, these unlikely roommates have decided to find common ground and work together.

They are collaborating on a rare fusion of avant garde jazz with traditional Asian music.  KCUR's Alex Smith sat in on a rehearsal session, and to spoke members  about the process.

Friday, May 18th the groups  perform together in a concert titled The Bell Tree. 

 This story was produced for KC Currents, which airs Sundays at 5pm with a repeat Mondays at 8pm. To listen on your own schedule, subscribe to the KC Currents podcast.