Ross Clowser Quartet (Album Release)

Join the Ross Clowser Quartet in celebrating the release of Clowser’s debut album, “this is how we move through time.,” which will be released on Aura Vortex Records on Sept. 12.

Band Members:
Ross Clowser – Guitar
Joe Strachan – Piano
Josh Granowski – Bass
Tarek Abdelqader – Drums

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Written over the past 5 years—from the quarantine days of 2020 through the early days of 2025—“this is how we move through time.” is a sonic documentation of change, growth, and experimentation. It draws on a myriad of influences, including jazz, free improvisation, post-rock, minimalism, and Afrobeat. Each composition on the album provides a jumping-off point for a close-knit group improvisation and exploration. The album emphasizes individual contributions to a cohesive, vibrant group sound. It’s music that celebrates our relationships to the world around us, to the passage of time, and to each other, because after all, that’s how we move through time—together. The album is accompanied by the release of an original artbook/zine featuring original paintings by Clowser, photos, and liner notes.

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Hailing from the prairies of Iowa, Ross Clowser is an American composer, improviser, scholar, and guitarist. He has been performing his original music throughout the Midwest for the past decade, sharing stages with Ohad Talmor and Melvin Butler and opening for the likes of Chad Taylor and Joshua Abrams. His music draws on influences from all over the world, from Jeff Parker and David Bowie to Pauline Oliveros and Fela Kuti. His current projects include the Ross Clowser Quartet, the free improvisation trio Hanson/Hirsh/Clowser, the Interstellar Cowboy Band, and the intermedia/film collective People Electric. Clowser will be joined by esteemed musicians Joe Strachan on piano, Josh Granowski on bass, and Tarek Abdelqader on drums.

Tarek Abdelqader is a Palestinian American percussionist.

Josh Granowski is a Midwestern American bassist and composer.

Joe Strachan, a versatile pianist based in Saint Paul, brings a decade of musical prowess to national and international stages. Strachan’s career includes accompanying dance, performing on synths and electronics, and composing for a diverse range of collaborations in dance and theater. Recent work includes touring with Craig Finn, and Mixed Blood Theater, as well as performing locally with ThoughtCast, Little Boat, the Interstellar Cowboy band, Wheel Eternal, and HatchDance. Strachan’s work has been recognized with awards such as the Next Step Fund (2020).