HZL Biography

Tim Albro and Jesse Kudler have played together since becoming friends at Wesleyan University around the turn of the century.  They first worked together in the large electronic improvising ensemble Phil Collins, playing synthesizer and guitar/electronics, respectively.  After graduating in 2002, the two didn't play together again until Winter 2004-2005, after Jesse's move to Philadelphia.  Their interest in a more restrained and spacious form of improvisation was first realized in the guitar trio G3 (with Ben Stanko).  Where that group had them playing guitars in a more or less conventional manner (Tim on electric 12-string and Jesse on acoustic), HZL arose from a more intense investigation of the use of electronics and electro-acoustic means.  Fall 2005 found Jesse moving again, to West Philadelphia, and he and Tim became close neighbors.  A schedule of record-listening sessions and concert attendance developed into a more focused musical collaboration in Winter 2005-2006, when proximity and available practice space allowed the two to work intensively on developing a duo language.  Jesse resumed use of his "regular" set-up of table-top guitar, synthesizer, contact mic, various objects and devices, and sundry electronics.  Tim began working with a unique electronics rig that incorporated radio and an archtop guitar prepared with surface-mounted speakers inside its body.  Small rooms and intensive listening led to the configuration of a still-changing sound, making ample use of resonances, small sounds, and an awareness of the spaces containing them.  Live performances have focused on subtle room-filling drones and textures, with speakers arrayed around the audience, evoking installation art as much as musicians on a stage.

Both musicians also maintain active schedules of improvisation sessions with other local musicians.  

Read an interview with HZL from the Philadelphia Metro here.

Individual Information:

Jesse Kudler, born 1979, improvises on guitar, synthesizer, and electronics and makes music on the computer.  He attended public school until Wesleyan University, where he studied music with Ron Kuivila, Alvin Lucier, and a little bit with Anthony Braxton, among others.  He eventually became active as an organizer and performer in improvised, experimental, and electronic music, forming a regular duo with fellow student Jonathan Zorn and leading the large electronic improvising ensemble Phil Collins.  Kudler has also worked as a recording engineer for various projects.

In his various travels, Kudler has performed or shared stages with Jason Soliday, Brent Gutzeit, TV Pow, Nmperign, Howard Stelzer, Jason Talbot, Jason Zeh, Kyle Bruckmann, Taiwan Deth, Lotus, PSI, Milo Fine, Ellen Weller, Marcos Fernandes, Matt Bauder, Brainpaw, Mike Shiflet, Peter B, Horse Sinister, Pauline Oliveros, Matt Weston, Hrvatski, Greg Davis, Illusion of Safety, Daniel Menche, GOD, Sixes, Jack Wright, Tomas Korber, and many others.

NB: His last name rhymes with “muddler.”

born in worcester, ma in 1980, currently based in philadelphia, tim albro studied english at wesleyan university.  current research interests include: -african american anarchism, modernism, and music-, -improvisation-, and -good advice-.  he is a member of the band sympathizers.

http://www.white-flag.org/hzl



[photo: Matthew Snyder]



[photo: Matthew Snyder]



[photo: stranger at Niagara Falls]



[photo: Matthew Snyder]



[photo: Michael Muniak]