a turn of events

Hertzog | Hogan

1.     entering through the horizon

2.     she rains

3.     over the dark, stormy sea

4.     she reigns

5.     a new forever

Jake Hertzog: Guitars

Adam Hogan: Live Ambisonic Diffusion, Computers, Guitar, Programming, Technology Development

Engineered by Adam Hogan

Mixed by Adam Hogan

Mastered by Adam Hogan

Produced by Jake Hertzog and Adam Hogan

What is improvisation in the 21st century? That is the question that guitarist Jake Hertzog and media artist Adam Hogan seek to answer on their new album a turn of events. The pair combine guitars and cutting-edge electronics on a turn of events to completely redefine how “free” free jazz can get. “We really wanted to understand the interaction between the performer and the instrument” Hertzog said, “and that interaction begins with conceptualizing the ambisonic diffusion technology as an instrument”. The album was created over the course of an entire year that included extensive experimentation, testing, technology development and nearly a hundred hours of trial recordings. “I was drawn to the immersive holistic sound field that can be rendered using ambisonics, and how as both a composer and improviser, we can think about space just as we would pitch, melody, or rhythm. Now with Dolby ATMOS, we can deliver that experience to the listener” said Hogan. Their work is pioneering enough that the duo was recently featured at the International Network for Artistic Research in Jazz Conference in a presentation on how technological research influences improvisation.

Adam and Jake met in their early years as professors at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, with Adam heading up the School of Art’s Experimental Media Program and Jake directing that institution’s new jazz program. Hertzog, whose eclectic career so far has included a collaborations with artists as diverse as Ivan Neville, Barry Alschul, Randy Brecker, and Cory Glover, in addition to long association with Victor Jones and Harvie S, as well as experimental solo and duo guitar recordings, stated: “I’ve always sought out people who inspire me and Adam is that rare artist who elevates his art form by imagining sounds that have never been heard”. Hogan’s diverse career has included work in cinematography, spatial audio, and extensive collaborations with musicians, film makers, and artists. His work and collaborations have been featured in numerous national and international festivals, exhibitions and collections including: Ars Electronica, ISEA, Cyfest13, Smithsonian Institution, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Berlinale, Athens Digital Arts Festival, DOC NYC, and BioBAT NYC among others.

The new album a turn of events blend arts, improvisation, and technology, drawing inspiration from jazz pioneers such as Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor who elevated “free” jazz in both acoustic and electric settings for their generation and current practitioners, such as Dan Tepfer. The project’s lineage and influences include electroacoustic composers such Juan Pampin, and Joseph Anderson, and acousmatic pioneers Bernard Parmegiani and the Birmingham ElectroAcoustic Sound Theater. Utilizing free jazz improvisational techniques, a turn of events’ music conceptualizes the ambisonic soundfield and granular synthesis as live instruments capable of advanced spatial, musical, and timbral improvisation. “I think both of us really had to learn how to play all over again on this project”, said Hertzog, “and we want to carry the listener with us through that journey."

Latest News!

Jake Hertzog Awarded a 2023 Jazz Road Creative Residency Grant!

I am working on a new album for jazz orchestra and strings with the incredible composer and arranger Dr. Susumu Watanabe! Read More Here!

Jake Hertzog Awarded Artist 360 Grant from Mid-America Arts Alliance

The project will focus on Ozark Folk Music reimagined as modern jazz. More details in 2024! Read More Here.

Guitar University Now Available on Amazon!

This comprehensive book on guitar methodology and technique will take your playing to the next level. Ideal for collegiate program preparation on guitar.

Guitar Sound Effects on Hal Leonard