Light, Time and Space

Andrej Thompson

Saxophonist and composer

Biography

I am a composer and saxophonist currently based in Brussels but originally from Melbourne, Australia. My output ranges from solo performances of free improvisation to large scale works for wind orchestra. My music embraces juxtaposition, contrast and employing composition to enhance an improvisers expression of reality. Musical influences include Olivier Messiaen, Tim Berne, and Frank Zappa. Extramusical and theoretical influences include Hungarian visual artist László Moholy-Nagy, theorist Ed Sarath, and various concepts explored in chemistry. After studying at The Australian National University, Monash University and The University of Copenhagen I moved to Slovenia where I collaborated in a number of projects and began leading the ensemble Tolmači. During this period I also founded the Copenhagen-based ensemble Light, Time and Space and released an album at the end of 2023. Subsequently, I relocated to Brussels where I began a residency at Werkplaats Walter exploring and developing my original compositions for small ensemble. The residency lead to the creation of four albums; Transfiguring Photograms, Trinity: Consciousness, Art and Hypostasis, Infinite Reflections and Andrej Thompson + Piergiorgio Pirro. These albums are due for release in 2024, all of which have been recorded.

Projects

Light, Time and Space

Octet of tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, two double basses and percussion.

Trinity: Consciousness, Art and Hypostasis

This ensemble features Andreas Bral on piano, Matthias De Waele on drums and Robert Jukic on double bass.

Transfiguring Photograms

This ensemble features Samuel Ber on drums, Piergiorgio Pirro on piano and Nathan Wouters on the double bass.

Andrej Thompson + Piergiorgio Pirro

Two improvisers meet to explore their own compositions

Other

Past projects and collaborations