Tonus (2)

Jazz/classical ensemble with an ever-changing line-up, directed by Dirk Serries. Tonus is an ensemble project formed by Dirk Serries, focusing on the improvised relationship between sound and silence, often based upon a graphic score. It originated in 2017 at Serries' residency at Jazzcase in Limburg, Belgium, for which he brought together a sextet to work around a slow piano motif by Martina Verhoeven. The literal translation of Tonus is muscle strength, but in this context defines a musical system that places equal importance on the space between notes. Both definitions apply here as the music is an exercise in discipline and anticipation while controlling the clarity, sustain and effect of each single note played. Tonus acts as a vehicle to explore and perform these exercises, as well as a general classification for his ongoing study in minimalism and free improvisation.