artist profile: Ivan Arteaga

Wonderful photo of Ivan by Eyeshot Jazz photographer Daniel Sheehan.

Ivan Arteaga, saxophonist, clarinetist, improviser, composer can be found in many new music habitats in and around Seattle. We have a number of musical circles here, and while they tend to be pretty well defined, there is a certain blending between circles, and I see Ivan collaborating with a diverse group of folks. He has a magnificent musical imagination and is a fascinating crafter of sound.

Recently having completed a Masters degree in in composition at the UW, Ivan is also a founder and board member of the Seattle record label Table & Chairs, which, since 2011, has not only produced numerous recordings but also run the weekly improvisation summit/forum called The Racer Sessions Sundays at 8 at Cafe Racer on Roosevelt. Part curated, part open mic, Racer Sessions is an open invitation to practice and hone improvisation chops, be exposed to new ideas, and just hear great music while eating tater tots. Or drinking a beer.

I play in a group called Lawson with Ivan. It's the brainchild of a very interesting Seattle composer named Jacob Zimmerman, who is also a founder of Table & Chairs. I had the chance to work intensively with Ivan when Lawson performed an arrangement of the iconic Chicago musician Roscoe Mitchell's Nonaah in an epic concert at Benaroya Hall a few years ago. I am delighted to be working with him on this opera.

His band Operation ID has some awesome recordings. Like this:

From his website: