Founded in 1994, Nicolas Caloia’s Ratchet Orchestra releases its first title, recorded live at La Sala Rossa in November 2007. Featuring 30 of Montréal’s finest improvisors, including Gordon M Allen, Chris Burns, Alexandre Grogg, Pierre Labbé, Philippe Lauzier, Damian Nisenson, Jean René, Sam Shalabi, and Joshua Zubot, the Ratchet Orchestra lolls between the sublime and the ridiculous.

The 7th edition of the Rencontres de musiques spontanées will take place on November 27 and 28, 2008 at Paradis in Rimouski (Québec). The programme will include Éric Normand’s Musique de Bataille (featuring musicians Raphaël Arsenault, Isaiah Ceccarelli, James Darling and Catherine S Massicotte), Virgule (with Gordon M Allen and Esther B), the duo of Alexandre Grogg and Isaiah Ceccarelli, as well as Le Grand Groupe Régional d’Improvisation Libre.

Americain saxophonist Joe Giardullo and Days From Land (Gordon M Allen, Alexandre St-Onge, Gmackrr) will be at Le Cagibi on Tuesday November 4, 2008 as part of the Mardi spaghetti weekly series for creative music.

On November 2, 2008, Joe Giardullo will be performing at L’envers alongside 16 of Montréal’s finest improvisers: Gordon M Allen, Philippe Battikha, Fred Bazil, Chris Burns, Pierre Cartier, Isaiah Ceccarelli, Michel F , Lori Freedman, John Heward, Philippe Lauzier, Étienne Lebel, Corinne René, Alexandre St-Onge, Sam Shalabi, Ida Toninato and Rainer Weins. Quite the orchestra!

A video installation by French filmmaker Dominique Blais starring trumpeter Gordon M Allen, Transposition (variations) will be presented at the Fonderie Darling from October 16 to December 7 2008. The opening will take place at the Fonderie Darling at 5pm on October 16.

On Tuesday October 14 2008,Gordon M Allen invites two Toronto artists to perform the music of Steve Lacy. Trombonist Scott Thomson and singer Susanna Hood join him at Le Cagibi for this edition of the Mardi spaghetti weekly series for creative music.