The Plank is an open community group where we explore many aspects of free improvisation and group playing. The sessions consist of some structured activity and some free play. We welcome artists of other mediums to respond within the space, or those that want to be passive within the space.

The 2023 programme has been supported by The Ranworth Trust and as a result we have been able to invite a number of guest artists to lead sessions, and make use of a variety of different venues.

This session will be led by Dee Byrne, exploring approaches to composition.

”I am a saxophonist, composer and improviser based in London with an interest in pushing the boundaries of jazz. I collaborate with artists from the UK and Europe who occupy the area of contemporary jazz, avant-garde and free improvisation.

My area of interest is the meeting of structured, composed material with free improvisation. I love freely improvised music as well as contemporary jazz, but for me the magic happens in between, where a composition is given room to breathe and has the potential to go in unexpected directions.

After graduating from Trinity Laban with a Masters in Jazz Performance in 2011, I went on to compose and record two albums with my contemporary jazz quintet Entropi. Alongside this, in 2013, I created a platform for original and improvised music in London with saxophonist/composer Cath Roberts. Weekly gigs, a monthly residency at the Vortex, festivals and tours all provided a safe space for us to experiment with new ideas and keep our music-making fresh and inventive.”

St Peter and St Paul church is located in the small village of Salle, NR10 4SD, just outside Reepham. Parking is directly in front of the church, there is ample seating and power outlets but please bring extension leads. The church is accessible and well lit but there are no toilet facilities or running water. We have access to the toilets at the All Day Brewing Company, Salle Moor Farm Barn, five minutes up the road.

Visit The Plank page for full details.

Please note: You may bring anything you like; instruments, objects, devices….
Please bring your own amplification if required, there is no PA.
You are welcome to observe, we welcome anyone who wants to form an audience.
The Plank is an entirely open platform, it will be curated and facilitated by Eastern Ear where appropriate but we welcome suggestions of any nature.
If you have a personal objective from attending ‘The Plank’ (such as to work with a drummer) then please make that clear to us at the beginning of the session.