MECA's Jazz Improvisation

The MECA Improvisation Program has been at the cutting edge of music education in Houston since 1997. Through a series of concert and workshop programs, the MIP has exposed Houston to some of the greatest artists in the field of creative music.

MECA students play with William Parker of the Die Like a Dog Trio

Spring 2008 Semester

All Classes are FREE of charge only a $20 Registration Fee

Special Needs: Basic Skills
Thursday 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Dave Dove - Instructor

Creative Kids
Thursday 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Dave Dove - Instructor

Special Needs: High Functioning
Thursday 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Dave Dove - Instructor

Jazz Improvisation
Tuesday and Wednesday
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Dave Dove - Instructor

Past events have featured:

• The Sun Ra Arkestra. Perhaps the most legendary group in contemporary jazz, the fourteen piece Sun Ra Arkestra electrified the MECA Auditorium with an unforgettable concert of "jazz from outer space". A quartet version of the group has also rocked our stage. "Space is the Place!"

• Wadada Leo Smith. The pioneering trumpeter and composer currently teaches at the California Institute for the Arts. He conducted a four day workshop with MECA students that resulted in an afternoon concert and recording session.

• Eugene Chadbourne. The madman of the guitar, banjo, and electric rake led a local group (David Dove, Susan Alcorn, Walter Daniels) through a set of his "avant-garde country and western bebop".

• Susie Ibarra/Assif Tsahar. These are two of the greatest rising stars on the jazz/improvised music scene. Susie Ibarra, who currently lives in New York, grew up in the Houston area.

• William Parker/Patricia Nicholson. William Parker may be the most radical innovator of the standup bass. He is also one of the most active performers and organizers on the creative music scene. He performed a fantastic duo with dancer Patricia Nicholson.

• Pauline Oliveros. Oliveros is probably the greatest contemporary artist to ever come from Houston. For over forty years Oliveros has been a pioneer in the fields of improvisation, electronic music, and theater and ritual in music. Oliveros is the creator of Sonic Meditations and Deep Listening. At MECA, Oliveros performed a Mother's Day concert in tribute to her mother, Edith Gutierrez, a Houston based composer and music teacher. She performed a solo set and led a quartet that featured Susan Alcorn, Thomas Bickley, and David Dove. MECA is very proud to have hosted this homecoming to one of the most esteemed artists to come from our city. In the summer of 2000, two MECA students were privilege to have the experience of attending Oliveros' Deep Listening Retreat in the Sangre de Christo Mountains in New Mexico.

• MIP has also featured local and regional improvisors such as Susan Alcorn, Carl Smith, Charalambides, Suchu Dance, Isaac Borsegui, Susie Wasserstrom, David Dove, Binx, and John Edward Ross.

All artists who perform with the MECA Improvisation Program also conduct workshop events with students from the MECA Improvisation Ensemble. Other artists who have worked with the students include Steve Lacy, Wilber Morris, Joe McPhee, Arthur Doyle, and Matthew Shipp.

All events are brought to MECA in collaboration with Nameless Sound Students interested in attending these workshops or joining MECA's Improvisation Program should contact David Dove at 713-928-5653 or email at dovedavedove@yahoo.com