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For more information about Peter's recordings and gigs visit http://tinyurl.com/6oz2g7l

Allotrope: Any of two or more physical forms in which an element can exist -­‐ diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon. (Macquarie Dictionary, 1991, p. 46)

Live sampling and processing of micro sound worlds created using the trumpet, flugel horn, laptop electronics, amplifier and pedals. Allotrope is a solo project from multidisciplinary Melbourne composer and trumpeter Peter Knight. It continues, albeit tangentially, Peter's preoccupation with space, understatement, and long form structure and draws inspiration from diverse sources.

Peter began developing digital environments to extend his improvisatory practice during a 2007 composer's residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada where the work was premiered. He has since performed solo at venues and festivals around the world. Allotrope is due for release on Listen Hear Collective in August 2012 (distributed in Europe by New Music Distribution).

Allotrope brings together contemporary approaches to the trumpet and technology to develop an idiosyncratic and highly personal sound world focussed on texture and timbre. It is minimal and abstract but also incorporates melodic material at times. Rhythmic elements are often obscured -- pulse or 'beat' gives way to breath and gesture.

Crucial to this material are the sounds that are traditionally considered 'impurities' to be avoided in the production of trumpet tone: the hissing of air, the clunking of valves and the squeak of a 'misplayed' note. An essay by Henry Cowell, entitled 'The Joys of Noise' is relevant in which he states, "Since the 'disease' of noise permeates all music, the only hopeful course is to consider the noise-germ, like the bacteria of cheese, is a good microbe, which may provide hidden delights to the listener, instead of producing musical oblivion."

Peter Knight
Australian trumpeter/composer/sound artist Peter Knight is a multidisciplinary musician who has gained wide acclaim for his eclectic approach, which integrates jazz, world music, and experimental traditions. He leads several projects of his own and appears as a soloist in a range of settings, he also composes for theatre and film, and has created sound installations. Of late his practice has been focused on solo electro-acoustic manipulation of micro sound worlds created using the trumpet and drawing inspiration from a diverse range of sources. Peter has won numerous awards for his work, his most recent album, Fish Boast of Fishing, which brings together acoustic and electroacoustic approaches to improvisation, won the Australian Jazz Bell Award 2012 'Most Original Jazz Album,' it was also nominated for the APRA/AMC Art Music Awards 2012 and was mentioned in the New York City Jazz Record's 'Best of 2011' Peter holds a DMA from Queensland Conservatorium. "Fish Boast of Fishing is a serious work of stringent originality performed by an ensemble that deserves to be heard much more widely" BBC Radio 3 review.

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