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The San Francisco-based Sqwonk bass clarinet duo is a dynamic and adventurous ensemble devoted to exploring the full expressive range of the bass clarinet, from deep resonances to raucous wails. Though grounded in the classical tradition, Sqwonk plays music that draws on a wide range of influences, from klezmer to heavy metal to blues to minimalism to free improvisation, creating a repertoire that is strikingly contemporary, yet broadly accessible to a wide audience.   

Formed in 2005 by Jeff Anderle and Jonathan Russell, Sqwonk has given numerous performances throughout the San Francisco Bay Area at a wide range of venues and events, including Old First Church, Noe Valley Chamber Music, the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Berkeley Arts Festival, the Outsound Music Series, Café du Nord, the Luggage Store, the Revolution Café, the Switchboard Music Festival, Interstitials, the Red Poppy Art House, and BlueSix. Sqwonk has received grants from the Northern California Composers Commissioning Program, Subito, the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As a consequence of its mission to develop a new repertoire of bass clarinet duos, Sqwonk has commissioned and premiered works by some fifteen composers and counting. In 2006, Sqwonk received a Faculty Development grant from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to fund its first CD, which was released in the fall of 2007. Its second CD, Black, was released in March 2010, and was funded through a grant from the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music.  

In July 2008, Sqwonk appeared as a guest performer at the Bang on a Can Summer Institute in North Adams, MA. In December 2008, Sqwonk performed Jonathan Russell's Duo Bass Clarinet Concerto with Washington D.C.'s Great Noise Ensemble, and made its New York City debut at Gallerie Icosahedron. In 2009, Sqwonk made its debut appearance at The Stone, New York’s venerable experimental music venue, and led a master class at Princeton University. In July 2010, Sqwonk will appear as a guest artist at the annual ClarinetFest, sponsored by the International Clarinet Association, in Austin, TX.

Sqwonk is an affiliate of the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music.  If you are a true lover or just a casual fan, consider making a tax-deductible donation through them so we can fund future projects such as CDs, commissions, and concerts.  Donate now.

Repertoire:

Bach, J.S. (arr. Sqwonk): Toccata and Fugue in d minor

Bach: Prelude from Cello Suite in G major, a la Steve Reich

Becker, Dan: Better Late*

Boots, Cornelius: Sojourn of the Face*

Brown, Ryan: KNEE GAS (ON)*

Dicke, Ian: Profiteering*

Fulton, Ruby: Swinging Door*

Gribble, Benjamin: Contannister Bellows*

Holt, James: Action Items*

Mellits, Marc: Black*

Novik, Aaron: Strict9*

Phelps, Benjamin: A Musical Offering*

Puntin, Michael: L’ultimo abraccio

Randall-Myers: (de)focus(ed)*

Reich, Steve (arr. Sqwonk): Nagoya Marimbas

Reynolds, Belinda: Bark*

Russell, Jonathan: KlezDuo*

Russell: ...and the Beast...*

Russell: Double Concerto*

Schorn, Steffen: The Opener

Thomson, Ken: Undo*

Waitkus, Damon: Valediction*

Wagner, Richard (arr. Sqwonk): Wedding March

* indicates piece was commissioned by Sqwonk