Throw Them Up and Let Them Sing - A Celebration of the Musical Influence of Kurt Schwitters

A celebration of the musical influence of Kurt Schwitters curated by artist Helen Petts during her exhibition at the Hatton Gallery, home of Schwitters’ Merzbarn Wall. Leading international free improvisers explore sound in the spirit of Merz – with found objects and text, electronics, sampling, extended vocal technique… and a bicycle wheel. Featuring the hilarious Bohman Brothers with pianist Steve Beresford, maniacal and brilliant singer Phil Minton and percussionist Roger Turner, Berlin-based vocal artist and sound poet Ute Wassermann, and Hardanger fiddle and bicycle-wheel virtuoso Sylvia Hallett.

More information about this remarkable artist Kurt Schwitter can be found on the Merzbarn website. Helen Petts keeps a blog here which will also lend background to this event. There’s a detailed article/interview on Point of Departure’s website that gives a great insight into Helen’s work.

Presented by Jazz North East and the Hatton Gallery. Commissioned by the Unlimited programme, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Click here for exhibition information and associated events- including vocal workshops with Phil Minton and Ute Wassermann.

Visit Helen Petts’ Youtube channel for a goldmine of great videos of improvised music and performance.

Photo: Roger Turner and Phil Minton filming for “Throw Them Up and Let Them Sing. © Helen Petts.