Concerts & Events

Isabelle Olivier – harp / Rez Abbasi – guitar / Ernie Adams - drums

The "O.A.S.I.S" project is a collaboration between the French harpist Isabelle Olivier and the Pakistani-born, American guitarist and composer Rez Abbasi. The combination of harp and guitar offers unique opportunities in harmony, rhythm or sound.

“We met several years ago at a Jazz Festival in France where the idea of creating a sound-world between harp and guitar was initiated. Upon receiving a grant from the French-American-Cultural-Exchange in 2018, we proceeded to compose for O.A.S.I.S.

Originally, the motivation was to write for the duo, however, as the compositions were being created, we discussed the idea of extending the duo to a trio. The addition of Ernie Adams on drums added further dimension that makes this unit truly unique in the history of jazz and improvised music. Furthermore, the yin and yang aesthetic between our compositions is very complementary.

Working within a confluence of cultures in any art form, especially in music, can reveal a limitless human and artistic space where only our expectations can slow down the potential of rapid intellectual and sensory evolution. As individuals, it allows us to discover or rediscover our idiosyncratic qualities while exposing us to our vulnerabilities. Also, it challenges our ability to assimilate other cultures while affirming the uniqueness of our own.

Music is an infinite domain where the potential for communication is immense!”

- Isabelle and Rez

http://www.isabelleolivier.com/

http://www.reztone.com/