Nick Syman

We’re almost don’t mixing the first Northing record! Planning on a late spring release. In the meantime, checkout this live studio video of Aaron’s tune, Angles of Refraction:

Here are two videos of trombone+pedal experiments. I recorded them consecutively so they are very similar. I should only post one, but they both had nice moments and problematic moments, and together they contrast in interesting ways.

After years of borrowing effects pedals from friends, I finally purchased my own setup last spring:

Learning to use them was a fun side project this summer. The first few sessions were frustrating garbage. Getting the mic set right was a challenge. Ring modulators have a serious learning curve. But after some time, I started to get sounds that I like. Here are three of my early experiments:

Northing just spent two amazing days recording our first album at Twin Lakes Sound Studio! Two days of intense recording and rehearsing really changed the music. I am so grateful to have spent the time with these awesome people and can’t wait to share the album. Also, all recording studios should be on a lake. Swim breaks = better takes.

Two years of writing and thinking about this idea are finally coming together. Northing is a new band featuring:

Aaron Hedenstrom – Alto Sax
Mara Syman – Alto Sax
Nick Syman – Trombone
Josh Becker – Bass Trombone
Pete James Johnson – Drums

More to come!

Northing – Enough from Northing on Vimeo.

Last fall I started a free improvisation group at Hudson High School. 12 young musicians with very little improvisation experience joined and we met twice a week. One month in they played at the fall jazz concert. Free improvisation for an audience of high school parents! Sounds like a disaster, right? It wasn’t. Actually, is was really good. Now they have released an album. Give it a listen. Even if you are not into free music, listen to this and be inspired. Teenagers can create complex, authentic art. I’m not sure I really knew that until this project, but I think that fact is inspiring.