Keyser-Couroux

The dynamic Keyser-Couroux was formed in 1993 by drummer Philippe Keyser and pianist Marc Couroux in order to explore new conceptions of harmony and rhythm and redefine the nature of musical interaction.

Following the release of their first compact disc, 3+3, a hybrid cross-section of the two members' artistic lineage: free jazz (Keyser) and contemporary music (Couroux), the tandem confirmed their resolutely postmodern approach with the "Fluid Dynamics" event in 1994.

Fluid Dynamics is at once a study of physical and kinetic principles as well as a compressed history of American music. The first part "Whorls and Eddies", is influenced by the rich tradition of rhythmic innovation in the 20th century (symbolized by a series of allusions to the musics of Nancarrow, Stravinsky, Ligeti, Birtwistle...) as well as recent developments in chaos theory (fractals). "Deterministic Non-Linear Americana", a mutated homage to American folklore, is also indebted to the mavericks who helped forge a distinct culture: Charles Ives, Cecil Taylor, Henry Cowell, John Cage, Carl Ruggles...

Their most recent project, A Theater of Entropy, a psycho-musical drama presented for the first time in 1997, falls between the "theater of cruelty" of Antonin Artaud and the deconstructive "earthworks" of American land-artist and postmodern pioneer Robert Smithson.

Music constructed on the nervous systems of two musicians destined to open the doors of perception...a new theater incarnating the relationship between body and sound, a unique approach at the crossroads of musical history.