Music / performance poetry
Open Collab is a magical concoction of improvised music, movement, dance and poetry
Charlie + Jake are a multi-instrumental live-looping duo from Bristol with a self-professed love of sonic experimentation.
They have performed their jazz-flavoured original music at Ronnie Scott’s, Cheltenham Jazz Festival and the Bristol Harbour Festival, and appeared on BBC Radio.
Over lockdown, however, their preferred musical genres took a sideways turn, with the launch of their multidisciplinary collaboration, Open Collab.
is needed now More than ever
The ongoing series explores innovative ways of combining spoken word with improvised music.
From their home studio, they have produced numerous monthly livestreams, welcoming submissions of poetry from around the world as a basis for making new and beautiful soundscapes.
Now, with the return of live events, Charlie + Jake are able to bring Open Collab to audiences both in the room, and beyond it.
Open Collab with Charlie + Jake, live in the Chicken Shed – image: Open Collab
On April 23, at the Hen & Chicken’s Chicken Shed, Charlie + Jake will be presenting a special edition of Open Collab, as part of Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival.
They will be joined on stage by movement artist and dancer Simon Abel, and special guest poet, current UK Slam champion, Kathryn O’Driscoll.
For Charlie + Jake, it has all the makings of unique, immersive experience: “From ambient soundscapes to soulful grooves and vocals, we’ll be using every instrument and sound under the sun to transport you into the worlds of the poems for a one-of-a-kind show”.
Open Collab live in the Chicken Shed is at The Hen and Chicken, April 23 at 2pm. Tickets are available from www.headfirstbristol.co.uk. To find out how to take part in a future Open Collab event, visit www.opencollab.co.uk.
Main photo: Charlie + Jake/Open Collab
Read more: Poet Kathryn O’Driscoll launches her debut collection
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