Crystal Magnets

Crystal Magnets piano duo reunites Andy Milne and Benoît Delbecq, two masters of contemporary improvisation. They became friends in 1990 while studying with saxophonist Steve Coleman at the Banff International Workshop for Jazz & Creative Music. In 2007, Milne and Delbecq were awarded The French-America Jazz Exchange from Chamber Music America. Their vision also included extensive collaboration with audio engineers. In 2008 they returned to The Banff Centre to develop and record “Where is Pannonica?”, which was released by Songlines Recordings in 2009. The New York Times lauded the recording as a “strangely beautiful new album” from two “resourcefully contemporary pianists, both drawn to quixotic interrogations of harmony and timbre.”

Using the characteristics of the 5.0 surround sound format for inspiration, the music was composed in part to exploit the unique potential for placing specific compositional elements in distinct regions of the mix. Producer Amandine Pras created an acoustic array within each piano and analyzed room reflections to define a larger microphone array. This enabled Milne and Delbecq to compose for the medium and perform in harmony with their sound environment. Their shared respect and understanding for each other’s approach to the piano and to improvisation helped connect them in a profound, almost seamless thought process throughout their collaboration.

Throughout their careers, both pianists have explored distinctly different approaches to expressing their experiences through music. As an innovator in improvised prepared-piano performance, Paris-based Delbecq has synthesized sounds and concepts from Ligeti and Steve Lacy to Aka Pygmy music. Milne’s long association with Steve Coleman inspired his unique integration of rhythmic concepts from Cuba, Ghana, jazz, funk and hip-hop.

Although they have both created music for electronic and computer-based instruments, Crystal Magnets is primarily an acoustic piano duo, equally influenced by each pianists’ ever-expanding experiences and passions. Crystal Magnets have performed festivals and concerts in Canada, the US and France, and have also appeared on television. In 2014 they joined forces with two koto players and an animator, forming Strings & Serpents, which premiered at Lincoln Center. Together Milne and Delbecq have extended the scope of the piano duo within the jazz world.

official press materials

Discography

Highlighted Past Events

Date
Greenwich House - Sound it Out
New York, NY, US
46 Barrow St
New York, NY
US
(212) 242-4770


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Shapeshifter Lab
Brooklyn, NY, US
18 Whitwell Place
Brooklyn, NY
US
Date
Shapeshifter Lab
Brooklyn, NY, US
18 Whitwell Place
Brooklyn, NY
US
Date
Shapeshifter Lab
Brooklyn, NY, US
18 Whitwell Place
Brooklyn, NY
US
Date
Musique de Nanterre
Nanterre, FR
Musique de Nanterre Nanterre
FR
Date
Cité de la Musique et de la Danse
Strasbourg, FR
1, place Dauphine
Strasbourg
FR
03 88 43 68 00
Date
New York University
New York, NY, US
New York University 35 West 4th St., Suite 777
New York, NY
US
Date
Humber College
Toronto, ON, CA
Humber College 3199 Lake Shore Blvd. W
Toronto, ON
CA
Date
Yardbird Suite
Edmonton, AB, CA
11 Tommy Banks Way
Edmonton, AB
CA
(780) 432-0428
Date
Performance Works
Vancouver, BC, CA
Performance Works 1219 Cartwright, Granville Island
Vancouver, BC
CA
(604) 687-3020
Date
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA, US
California Institute of the Arts 24700 McBean Pkwy
Valencia, CA
US
Date
Saddleback Studio Theatre
Mission Viejo, CA, US
Saddleback Studio Theatre 28000 Marguerite Parkway
Mission Viejo, CA
US
(949) 582-4656
Date
Yamaha Piano Salon
New York, NY, US
Yamaha Piano Salon 689 5th Ave., 3rd Floor
New York, NY
US
Date
The Dunn Theatre
Halifax, NS, CA
6101 University Ave.
Halifax, NS
CA
Date
The Dunn Theatre
Halifax, NS, CA
6101 University Ave.
Halifax, NS
CA
Date
Clara Lichtenstein Recital Hall
Montreal, PQ, CA
McGill Univeristy, 555 Sherbrooke St. West
Montreal, PQ
CA
Date
Pollack Hall, Schulich School of Music
Montreal, PQ, CA
McGill Univeristy, 555 Sherbrooke St. West
Montreal, PQ
CA
Date
Ottawa Jazz Festival - The Fourth Stage
Ottawa, ON, CA
53 Elgin St.
Ottawa, ON
CA
Date
Klavierhaus
New York, NY, US
211 West 58th Street
New York, NY
US
Date
Harbourfront – Sirius Radio Stage
Toronto, ON, CA
235 Queens Quay West
Toronto, ON
CA
Date
Radio France - Studio 105
Paris,, FR
116, avenue du Président Kennedy 75016
Paris,
FR
Date
Rolston Hall - The Banff Centre
Banff, AB, CA
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Banff, AB
CA
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University of British Columbia - Recital Hall
Vancouver, BC, CA
6361 Memorial Road
Vancouver, BC
CA
Date
Banff Centre
Banff, AB, CA
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Banff, AB
CA