Improvisers Exchange Ensemble
This performance ensemble broadly examines the field of music improvisation and is open to musicians of all genres who seek to explore omni-idiomatic improvisation, listening and performance strategies for the improviser, and engagement with visiting artists in the field. The ensemble is led by Jason Finkelman, who performs on African and Brazilian percussion and laptop electronics. Finkelman is a founding member of the ambient, avant world trio Straylight and has performed with a diverse range of improvising artists including Pauline Oliveros, Roy Campbell, Jr., Steve Gorn, and Vernon Reid.
NOTE: Open to musicians outside the School of Music by permission of the instructor.
Improvisers Exchange at Rose Bowl Fall 2026
Monday, September 21, 2026, 5:30p – 7:30p
Monday, November 2, 2026, 5:30p – 7:30p
Monday, December 7, 2026, 5:30p – 7:30p
Visiting Artist Event:
Monday, October 5, 2026 , 5:30p -7:30p
JeJaWeDa featuring Jeb Bishop, Jaap Blonk, Weasel Walter, Damon Smith
Opening set by Improvisers Exchange
Rose Bowl Tavern
JaJeWeDa, debuted in the spring of 2019 with a series of concerts in the Northeast. The band features the great sound poet and improvisor Jaap Blonk, trombone virtuoso Jeb Bishop, and the versatile and powerful “rhythm section” of Damon Smith and Weasel Walter. Improvisers Exchange Ensemble opens the evening with a short set.
Janel and Anthony
Janel and Anthony Workshop at Krannert Center
Improvisers Exchange Ensemble
Improvisers Exchange Performances and Workshops – Fall 2026
PERFORMANCES
November 10, 2026 7:30PM-9PM–Composers Forum with Alec Goldfarb and Utsav Lal: “Composition, Improvisation, Collaboration.”
November 11, 2026 –Improvisers Exchange Presents: Alec Goldfarb and Utsav Lal
Recital Hall, Smith Memorial Hall
EVENTS
Saturday September 5, 2026 – EX IBEX
Gallery Art Bar- Urbana
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 7:30PM-10PM – IE Film Screening – “Deep Listening: The Story of Pauline Oliveros”
Auditorium, Music Building
Friday September 18, 2026 7:30PM – Janel and Anthony
Spurlock Museum-Knight Auditorium – Free Event
WORKSHOPS
Friday September 18, 2026 3PM – Janel and Anthony
Krannert Center For the Performing Arts- Orchestra Rehearsal Room
Friday, October 24, 2026 3PM-5PM – Kojiro Umezaki and members of Hub New Music.
Improvisers Exchange at Rose Bowl Fall 2026
Monday, September 21, 2026, 5:30p – 7:30p
Monday, November 2, 2026, 5:30p – 7:30p
Monday, December 7, 2026, 5:30p – 7:30p
Improvisers Exchange is a multifaceted initiative led by Jason Finkelman broadly exploring omni-idiomatic improvised music. IE @ Rosebowl Tavern provides opportunity to present unique combinations of University of Illinois ensemble members along with improvising artists from our community and beyond.
Free admission; donations appreciated. Donations benefit the Nick Rudd Music Fund.
Visiting Artist Event:
Monday, October 5, 2026 , 5:30p -7:30p
JeJaWeDa featuring Jeb Bishop, Jaap Blonk, Weasel Walter, Damon Smith
Opening set by Improvisers Exchange
Rose Bowl Tavern
JaJeWeDa, debuted in the spring of 2019 with a series of concerts in the Northeast. The band features the great sound poet and improvisor Jaap Blonk, trombone virtuoso Jeb Bishop, and the versatile and powerful “rhythm section” of Damon Smith and Weasel Walter. Improvisers Exchange Ensemble opens the evening with a short set.
Improvisers Exchange was established through a Center for Advanced Study Annual Initiative.
Improvisers Exchange was created in Fall 2017 through a two-year initiative deeply investigating the field of music improvisation. The seed years of Improvisers Exchange offered multifaceted programming featuring performance and engagement residencies by leading artists representative of a wide spectrum of the practice, initiated a new performance course on improvisation for students, and promoted scholarly discourse through lectures and panel discussions. In Spring 2019, Jason Finkelman (Artistic Director, Global Arts Performance Initiatives) and Mike Silvers (Musicology) offered a graduate seminar on Music, Improvisation and Ecology as CAS Resident Associates for AY2018-19. Improvisers Exchange remains an ensemble class that explores omni-idiomatic improvised music and an occasional concert and workshop series.