Improvisation Summit
Jamshid Jam
Jean-François Charles, live electronics
Ramin Roshandel, setar
New Origin Trio
Christophe Rocher, clarinets
Joe Fonda, double bass
Harvey Sorgen, drums
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 7:30p, Recital Hall
program to be announced from the stage
About Jamshid Jam
As the Jamshid Jam duet, Ramin Roshandel and Jean-François Charles have developed a unique sound combining the traditions of Persian classical music and live electronic music. They have been creating this new shared musical language since their first concert in December 2019. They have been invited to perform in Chicago, Iowa City, Ames, Omaha, New-York City, Warrensburg, Tucson, Minneapolis, Urbana-Champaign, and Hamburg (Germany) for the 2026 International Computer Music Conference.
In 2025, they took part in the collaborative project Meandering River for a live experience mixing dance, science, and music by the Iowa River. This same year, they were commissioned by Red Cedar Chamber Music a brand new program for violin, cello, setar, clarinet and live electronics. Recently, they composed and performed with Nicolas Sidoroff a new soundtrack to Lotte Reiniger’s 1926 animation movie The Adventures of Prince Achmed.
ABOUT NEW ORIGIN TRIO
Joe Fonda is an American jazz composer, double bassist, interdisciplinary artist, producer, and educator. A recognized international figure, he has collaborated with giants such as Anthony Braxton—for whom he served as the regular bassist from 1984 to 1999—Archie Shepp, Carla Bley, Dave Douglas, and Randy Weston. An award-winning composer, he has released twelve albums under his own name and directed the Connecticut Composers and Improvisers Festival. An independent producer since 1978, he leads several concurrent projects, notably the Fonda-Stevens Group and The Off Road Quartet, a group bringing together four musicians from four different countries. He performs at major jazz festivals around the world.
Christophe Rocher is a clarinetist, composer, improviser, and artistic director, and the founder of the Ensemble Nautilis. Trained at the Clichy Conservatory and later under Jacques Di Donato, Fabrizio Cassol, and Steve Coleman, he also holds a degree in artificial intelligence. His career has led him to collaborate with leading figures in French and American jazz (Rob Mazurek, Nicole Mitchell, Hamid Drake, Joëlle Léandre, and others). A prolific composer, he has written numerous original works.
Harvey Sorgen is an American drummer and percussionist whose eclectic career has given him a rare ability to adapt to all musical styles. His orchestral approach to drumming sets him apart as one of the most distinctive musicians of his generation. He has collaborated with an impressive array of artists—from Paul Simon to Anthony Braxton, including Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell, Zakir Hussain, and Phil Lesh. A composer for theater and film, he also gives masterclasses around the world. An accomplished sound engineer, he has worked at the legendary Dreamland Recording Studio and released several instructional videos.