American percussionist Ben Bennett is one of the most distinctive voices on the international improvisation scene. Using a minimalist setup of homemade instruments, membranes, and everyday objects, he develops a completely acoustic musical language of astonishing complexity. For this evening and his latest solo album, “Rubbing Music for Wet Glass, Extruded Polystyrene, and Latex,” he explores dense, iterative sound processes using glass, Styrofoam, wood, and latex—processes in which rhythm, pitch, and timbre are structurally interdependent.
The concert is presented in collaboration with the “Bruitkasten” concert series organized by the Impakt e.V. collective. Bruitkasten is a space for musical experimentation, spontaneous encounters, and extraordinary listening experiences in a communal atmosphere. Since 2022, the series at Ebertplatz has developed into one of the most exciting platforms for improvised and experimental music far beyond Cologne’s city limits and has been honored with the APPLAUS Award every year since its inception. For Cologne Jazz Week, Bruitkasten offers a glimpse into its diverse program: Three sets showcase different facets of contemporary improvisation, ranging from acoustic sound exploration to collective free improvisation and performative electronic music.
Supported by NICA artist development
