black phone records: bio, statement of purpose and history black phone records a 'coffee & eagle feathers' production STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: black phone records is a completely independent, artists based record label which maintains its commitment to the following: 1.to the constant pursuit of the extremes of musics through-composed or completely improvised musics. 2.to challenge the boundaries of the creative arts and to strengthen the dialectic between through-composed works and completely improvised settings. 3.to further enrich, extend, solidify and enhance the creative arts. 4.to have a forum where artists can collaborate, develop, show-case and produce their works in a completely independent environment.  HISTORY: black phone records had its origin in the fall of 1998 in Long Beach, CA by the performer/composer Alan Lechusza. originally the label was designed to produce works by a young group of musicians who were then working as a collective promoting new/avant concerts, commissioning new works, recording and touring extensively within california. before it's premiere recording, black phone records sponsored numerous groups from this collective including: the yellow chair ensemble, Arcanum, Pugs 4 Peace Saxophone Quartet, the scorched ensemble, Not Wet Paint, 4-Strings Cello Quartet and many others. black phone records then went on to promote shows at: Sacred Grounds, Irvine Art Center, MOLAA (Museum of Latin American Art), Auggies Art Gallery, C.S.U. Long Beach, U.C.Irvine and numerous other venues in and around the L.A./Orange county area. in keeping with its statement, black phone records developed and maintained a lengthy working relationship with the New York based choreographer Rebecca Romero and her dance company by commissioning works, promoting and sponsoring collaborations and shows in the Long Beach and San Pedro areas. black phone records had its debut with the recording "...the sky is always beautiful..." by the Aulos Saxophone Quartet which has caught the attention of audiences around the western part of the United States and Canada.   alan lechusza: performer/composer multi-instrumentalist  Alan Lechusza is quickly gaining ground as one of the new woodwind players/improvisers to watch. His versatility on all the woodwind instruments (western and non-western aero phones) both as an improviser and as a studio musician has led him to be a much sought after performer. As a performer Alan has had the opportunity to work within many different genres (including hip-hop/rap, heavy metal, new age, baroque period-style performances, orchestral work, film scores, etc.) and premiering numerous works including those by Wadadda Leo Smith, Will Ogden, Christopher Adler, Vinny Golia and more. He has performed and toured in Europe(Eastern and Western), Canada, Japan and all around the United States with; Ark Ensemble, Arcanum, The Aulos Saxophone Quartet and The Charles Owens Saxophone Quartet. He performs regularly with: Quartetto Nuevo, The Christopher Adler Trio, Radius, AMH Trio, The Michael Vlatkovich Ensembles, The Vinny Golia Large Ensemble, Forward Funk, Jagratti, The World Reform Orchestra, Trio Consensus, and numerous others. He has performed with: Benny Maupin, Vinny Golia, George Harper, Anthony Davis, George Lewis, Hamiet Bluiett, Bertrum Turetsky, JD Parron, Alex and Niles Cline, Ken Rosser, Leo Potts, Jack Riedling, Randy Gloss, James Newton, Kai Akagi, Charles Owens, Dr. Art Davis, Peter Kowald, Hamied Drake, Adam Rudolph, Sherman Ferguson, Paul Smoker, and many others. Alan's work as a composer is always in high demand as he is able to combine subtle and heavy textures onto a sonic canvas which is both enlightening and challenging for the listener and performer alike. He has received numerous world premiers and commissions including: "in the eyes of a child" for the Leo Potts Saxophone Orchestra, "7 songs of sorrow" for Tany Ling (soprano vocalist), "Requiem for a Pug" for the Pugs-4-Peace Saxophone Quartet, "the sky is always beautiful" for The Aulos Saxophone Quartet, "til the break of dawn" for The Pastiche Ensemble (USA), "The Once and Future Love" for Arcanum, "Where Beauty is to be Found" for cello and voice (Colin Pearson and Tany Ling), and many others. He has had his compositions performed at the 13th annual World Saxophone Congress (Montreal, Canada) and at the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1999. Alan has worked closely with a number of dance companies in North America including new compositions for The Rebecca Romero Dance Company (Los Angeles, Ca.), The Deborah Delhouse Dance Ensemble (San Diego, Ca./ New York City, NY.), and GroundWorks Dance Company (Akron/Cleveland, Oh).  His most recent large ensemble project "side a/ side b" has become an icon figure in only it's second yearly performance playing for a packed house at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). This latest installment of 'side a/ side b' comprises avant-garde new music, funk, hip-hop, heavy metal, punk and world music sounds together in one large 2 hour concert setting.

alan lechusza cv:

Alan Lechusza Aquallo

EDUCATION SUMMARY

B.M. Commercial Music/Woodwind Performance: Calif. State Univ. Long Beach, 1996

M.F.A. Composition/Woodwind Performance: Univ. of Calif., Irvine, 1998

PhD. (ABD) Critical Studies/Experimental Practices: Univ. of Calif., San Diego, 2002

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

Lectured, researched, developed curriculum and conducted workshops/seminars in the following areas:

History and Theory of Popular Music:  Jazz, Rock, Blues, Swing, Hip-Hop, Punk, Reggae, Contemporary Music                      

Music in Film: History, Theory, Philosophy, Critical and Cultural Inquiry

Klezmer Music: History, Theory, Critical Practice, Identity Construction through Avant-Klezmer

Native American Studies: Powwow Culture, History, Cultural Studies, Music and Dance, California Native History, Contemporary Native Music (Rock, Jazz, Blues, Hip Hop, Film Scores, New Age/Native Flute, Punk, Reggae), Traditional Music (Northern and Southern Traditions)

African-American Critical and Diasporic Studies: The Music of Africa, History/Diaspora, Critical Literature Studies, Ethnic and Urban Studies 

Asian Music: History, Theory, Critical Practice, Contemporary Cross-Cultural Collaborations, specialites: North/South Indian instrumental styles, Tuvan vocal/instrumental styles, Popular North/South Indian Music, Noh Theatre, Javanese/Bali Gamelan Music

Music Theory and Composition: Jazz, Commercial Music, Western European Classical, Recording/Engineering/Production Techniques (Analogue and Digital)

Instrumental Instruction: Flutes, Oboe/English Horn, Clarinets, Saxophones, Bassoons, Global Ethnic Aeroephones

Taught and/or conducted seminar, lectures and workshops at the following educational institutions:

California State University, Long Beach

Janacek Conservatory of Music ( Brno, Czech. Republic)         

San Diego City College

San Jacinto Junior College

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Riverside

University of California, San Diego

University of Calfornia, Berkeley

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

Contemporary Center for the Arts, Santa Fe New Mexico

California Institute for the Arts (CalArts)

University of San Diego

Oberlin Conservatory of Music

University of Akron, Ohio

Young Native Scholars Program (Early Education Outreach Program; UCSD)

Cuyammeca Community College, San Diego

CRITICAL WRITINGS (articles, essays and papers)

This is NOT L.A. – A Critical Look at Punk in Musical Theatre

Rock n’ roll adopted a baby and called him Geronimo – Pan-Indian Identity in Rock N’ Roll

The Good, The Bad, The Born At 18 – Deconstruction of Native American Identity in Hip-Hop

The Early Compositional Developments of Anthony Braxton

The Music of John Carter

Side A/ Side B – A Detailed Investigation of a Large Ensemble Project

Raps to Remember, Raps to Represent; The Construction of Contemporary Native Identity in Hip Hop

The Music of Contemporary Native America

Music and Communication; Contemporary Native American perspectives on DJ-ing, Television/Media, Radio and the Internet

Powwow: Culture and Music

All this and Frybread Too?!: A history of Native Music

The Signifyin' Frybread:  Samples and the construction of Native Identity

Oyate: For My People; Native Hip Hop and Resistance

INSTRUMENTAL INSTRUCTORS

Flutes – Dr. John Barcellona, James Newton

Oboe/English Horn/Bassoon – Greg Donovetsky

Clarinets – Robert Zelickman

Saxophones – Lawrence McCoy, Leo Potts

All Woodwinds/Ethnic Aerophones – Vinny Golia

COMPOSITION INSTRUCTORS

Jazz/Commercial Musics - John Prince, James Newton, Kai Akagi, Anthony Davis, Charles Owens

Contemporary Composition/Form and Analysis - Dr. Martin Herman, Dr. Justice Matthews, Dr. Bruce Miller, James Newton, Dr. Chris Dobrian, Anthony Davis

ENSEMBLES

ARCANUM, 2006 (woodwinds, compositions)

The Alan Lechusza Quintet, 2006 (woodwinds, compositions)

Alan Lechusza/Carolyn Lechusza Duo, 2004/05 (woodwinds, electronics, compositions)

IGUANA, 2004 - current (all woodwinds, compositions and arrangements)

side a/side b ensemble, 2000 - current (all woodwinds, compositions and arrangements)

The Gornish Helfin Trio, 2004 - current (Oboe, Bb/A Clarinets, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)

The Earl Howard Trio, 2003 - current (all woodwinds)

SoNu, 2002 - 2005 (all woodwinds)

San Diego Clarinet Quartet, 2002 - current (Bass Clarinet)

Get Libre Collective, 2002 - 2005 (all woodwinds)

The Coldwater Band, 2002 - current (all woodwinds)

The San Diego Wind Ensemble, 2001 - current (Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone, Oboe)

Jaagritti, 2000 - current (Shani, Oboe, Ethnic Aerophones)

La Jolla Symphony Orchestra, 2000 - current (Alto, Baritone Saxophone Soloist)

Forward Funk, 2000 - current (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone Saxophones, Bass Clarinet, Flutes)

AMH Trio, 2000 - current (Baritone Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, Flutes)

Radius, 2000 - current (Piccolo, Alto Flute, C-Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone)

MAD Quartet/Trio, 2000 - current (Alto Saxophone, C-Flute, Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone)

The Michael Vlatkovich Ensembles, 1999 - current (Tenor Saxophone, Clarinets, Piccolo, Flutes)

Christopher Adler Trio, 1999 - current (Baritone, Tenor, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute)

Quartetto Nuevo, 1999 - current (Oboe, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinets, Indigenous Flutes of the Americas)

Vinny Golia Large Ensemble, 1999 - current (All Woodwinds)

SONOR, 1999 - current (Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, ContraAlto Bass Clarinet, Alto, Baritone Saxophone)

Christopher Adler/Alan Lechusza Duo, 1999 - current (All Woodwinds)

The Yellow Chair Ensemble, 1998 - 2004 (All Woodwinds)

Charles Owens Saxophone Summit, 1997 - current (Baritone Saxophone)

Not Wet Paint, 1995 - 2000 (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet)

Arcanum (Long Beach ensemble), 1995 - 2000 (Oboe, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet)

The Aulos Saxophone Quartet, 1995 - 2001 (Baritone Saxophone)

Leo Potts Saxophone Quartet, 1998 - 1999 (Baritone Saxophone)

Ark Ensemble, 1995 - 1999 (All Woodwinds)

U.C. Irvine Orchestra and Opera, 1995 - 1999 (Principal Oboe, English Horn)

The James Newton New Music Ensemble, 1995 - 1998 (All Woodwinds)

10^th & 12^th World Saxophone Congress, 1994, 2000 (Alto, Baritone Saxophone)

Long Beach State Woodwind Quintet, 1991 - 1995 (Oboe, English Horn)

Long Beach Orchestra and Opera Company, 1990 - 1996 (Principal Oboe, English Horn)

Long Beach Wind Ensemble, 1990 - 1996 (Principal Oboe, Principal Alto Saxophone)

Leo Potts Saxophone Ensemble, 1989 - 1999 (Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Bass Saxophone)

PERFORMED/WORKED WITH  

Bertrum Turetsky          George Lewis               Benny Maupin             

Vinny Golia                  Anthony Davis             J.D. Parron

Robert Zelickman         John Fonville                I. W. Leo Smith

Harvey Sollberger         Michael Vlatkovich        Greg Donovetsky

Leo Potts                    Jack Riedling                Hamiet Bluiett

Jacquline Bobeck          Dr. Martin Herman         Ed Harkins

Charles Owens             Peter Kowald                Oliver Lake

James Newton              Dr. Art Davis                Billy Higgins

Sherman Ferguson        George Harper              Kai Akagi

Anthony Braxton           Earl Howard                 David Wessel

Jimmy Cheatum            Ken Rosser                  Kim Richmond

William Roper               George Harper             G. E. Stinson

Ann LeBaron                 Anne Le Berge              Ellen Burr

Bill Plake                      Don Byron                   G. Aguilar  

Lisle Ellis                      John Purcell                 Steve Coleman   

Alex Cline                     Stewart Liebig               Hamied Drake

Mark Dresser                  Anthony Burr                Ken Filliano

Steve Adams                  Corey Wright                Jeff Kaiser

Andrew Pask                   Joe McNalley                Tom McNalley

The Hutchins Consort

COMPOSITIONS COMMISSIONED BY

The Hutchins Consort (San Diego, Ca.)

GroundWorks Dance Theatre ( Cleveland, Ohio)

Dr. Christopher Adler ( San Diego, Ca.)

SoNu ( San Diego/ Los Angeles, Ca.)

C.S.U.L.B. Saxophone Ensemble ( Long Beach, Ca.)

Deborah Delhouse Dance Company (San Diego/San Francisco, Ca. New York, NY)

San Diego Clarinet Quartet ( San Diego, Ca.)

Rebecca Romero Dance Company ( Los Angeles, Ca.)

China Clippers ( San Diego, Ca.)

Pugs 4 Peace Saxophone Quartet ( Long Beach/Los Angeles/ Orange County, Ca.)

Aulos Saxophone Quartet (Long Beach/Orange County, Ca.)

MAD Quartet/Trio ( Albuquerque, NM/ Los Angeles, Ca.)

Leo Potts ( Orange County, Ca.)

Charles Owens Jazz Orchestra ( Irvine/ Los Angeles, Ca.)

Arcanum (Irvine/Long Beach, Ca.)

Slippers (Long Beach/Orange County, Ca.)

Better Yeti ( Long Beach, Ca.)

C.S.U.L.B. Brass Quintet ( Long Beach, Ca.)

Yellow Chair Ensemble ( San Diego/ Los Angeles, Ca.)

Pocket Sized Planet ( San Diego/ Los Angeles, Ca.)

Derek Keller/Colin McCallister Guitar Duo ( San Diego, Ca.)

Torrey Pines High School Mixed Choir ( Del Mar, Ca.)

Torrey Pines High School Jazz Band ( Del Mar, Ca.)

Tany Ling ( Ventura, Ca.)

Christopher Charbenneau ( Long Beach, Ca.)

San Diego Wind Ensemble ( San Diego, Ca.)

DISCOGRAPHY

MAD TRIO - mad trio, Black Phone Records 2005/06

I2 (Alan Lechusza/Carolyn Lechusza Duo) - I2, Black Phone Records 2005

Bart Stull - This Is My Sound (TIMS), Black Phone Records (EP edition) 2005

Alan Lechusza/IGUANA - loose in l.a., Black Phone Records 2004

Robert Jacobson, Bill Barrett, Alan Lechusza – The music of Gornish Helfin, Banana Bread Records (EP edition) 2004

SoNu - Sounds from the Source, 9Winds Records 2003

Alan Lechusza - Clarinets, Black Phone Records (EP edition) 2003

Alan Lechusza - Saxophones, Black Phone Records (EP edition) 2003

Adler/Aguilar/Lechusza – First Meeting, Black Phone Records (EP edition) 2002/04

MAD Trio – Live in New Mexico vlm. 2, Plutonium Records (EP edition) 2004

Alan Lechusza - side a/ side b #4, Black Phone Records 2003

The Earl Howard Trio – Now Hear This, Black Phone Records (EP edition) 2003

MAD Quartet - New Mexico Live!, Plutonium Records 2003

Pocket Sized Planet – Hear the New Planet! (EP edition) PSP Records 2003/04

The Yellow Chair Ensemble - Live at Lira, Black Phone Records 2003

Alan Lechusza - Solo selections, Zerx Records 2002/03

Burt Turetzky, Ed Harkins, Alan Lechusza - Imporivsations One, Black Phone Records 2002

Quartetto Nuevo - El Musico, Lira Productions Records 2002

Christopher Adler Trio - Transcontinental, 9Winds Records 2002

Vinny Golia Large Ensemble - Live at CalArts 2002, 9Winds 2002

Christopher Adler Trio with Michael Vlatkovich - Doctor! Doctor!, Black Phone Records 2002

Christopher Adler Trio with Michael Dessen - Get Out of My Movie!, Black Phone Records 2002

Forward Funk - LIVE at Galoka!, Roots First Productions 2002

Alan Lechusza - Solo (Artship), Artship Productions 2002

Alan Lechusza - side a/side b #3, Black Phone Records 2002

Alan Lechusza - Solo, Zerx Records 2002

AMH Trio - Live at the Field & Frame, Plutonium Records 2001

AMH Trio - Live earshot, Zerx Records 2001

Christopher Adler Trio - Midnight Sessions, Black Phone Records 2001

Christopher Adler Trio - Live at Galoka, Black Phone Records 2001

MAD Trio - Live at Plan B, Plutonium Records 2001

MAD Quartet - Witches of Ignesi, Plutonium Records 2001

Alan Lechusza - side a/ side b #2, Black Phone Records 2001

Del Bybee Big Band - With Guest, Bybee Productions 2001

Alan Lechusza - Pictures from a Homeless Man, Black Phone Records (EP edition) 2001

ir - Hunting Dragons, Metamorph Productions 2001

Michael Vlatkovich Ensemble – Live in L.A., Happy Music Productions 2001

Modern Yak Love - this is my foot, Roots First Productions 2001

Pat Shaw Ensemble - Times Two, Black Phone Records 2001

Christopher Adler/Alan Lechusza -Pleistocene, Black Phone Records 2000

Alan Lechusza - …at any hour…, Black Phone Records 2000

Aulos Saxophone Quartet - the sky is always beautiful, Black Phone Records 2000

Not Wet Paint - Not Wet Paint, Black Phone Records 2000

Arcanum - live…., Black Phone Records 2000

Vinny Golia Large Ensemble - Live in Oakland 1999, 9Winds 1999