Sabir Mateen's JUXTAPOSITIONS

Juxtapositions is a large band expanded from the small group (no longer in existence, for now) of the same name with Heyner, Yokouchi, Momin and Mateen mixing European and non-European strings and percussion. Would like to perform with this band more often. Looking for performances.

No recordings available

Trumpet, Fluglehorn, Pocket Trumpet, Flute: Roy Campbell
Tenor & Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo, Bb & Alto Clarinet: Sabir Mateen
Violins: Jason Kao Hwang, Jean Cook, Derek Washington
Viola: Jessica Pavone, Jasoh Kao Hwang
Cello: Masako Yokouchi
Bass: Hill Greene, Matthew Heyner
Doson ’ngnoni, Zintir, Turkish Oboe: William Parker
Drums: Charles Downs
Percussion: Michael Wimberly, Ravish Momin

Multi-instrumentalist, composer and bandleader Sabir Mateen led a big band, Juxtapositions Plus!

By Amir Bey, 2007, special for THE NEW TIMES HOLLER!

I recently talked with Sabir and asked him a few questions about his ensemble Juxtapositions Plus!:

BEY: What is the concept behind Juxtapositions?

MATEEN: Well, Juxtapositions is a mixture of musical cultures and sound in one sound. Basically Juxtapositions consists of myself, Matthew (Bass), Masako (Cello) and Ravish (Percussion).

BEY: You use a lot of strings, including two basses, a viola, cello, two violins, and William Parker on Ndugon Goni and Sintir in Juxtapositions. What inspired you to go that way?

MATEEN: The inspiration of this enlarged band was something I wanted to do for a long time, mixing European Strings and African Strings together. I always wanted to do a string project. I’ve written many tunes for strings anyway, but never performed in public. Actually I wanted to do a larger band with more horns & strings (Euro and African) but finances wouldn’t allow it. I’d like to do more of this and I plan to do so in the future and get a good recording. The guy at CBGB’s didn’t do a good job, even though I’m satisfied with the music and a good part of the recording.

BEY: Are there any future plans for Juxtapositions or any upcoming performances by you?

MATEEN: I’ll be playing at The Vision Festival.