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Bill Noertker

Bassist/composer Bill Noertker has been active in the Bay Area jazz and avant-garde scene since the late 1980s. Since 2001, he has lead his own ensemble, Noertker's Moxie, as a forum for his compositions inspired by visual artists such as Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró, architect Antoni Gaudí, poet Rainer Maria Rilke, sculptor David Beck, and others. Noertker has composed over 150 pieces of music for this group and has released eight CDs, including three CDs of his extended suite Sketches of Catalonia, and two volumes of his extended Blue Rider Suite. He has also composed music for three films that showcase the intimately-scaled sculptures of David Beck, composed the score for a Nikos Koumoundouros film, The Commandments or the Nostril of Ektor Kaknavatos, that was selected for the Short Film Corner at the prestigious Festival de Cannes 2010, and scored the Olympia Stone film “Curious Worlds: the Art and Imagination of David Beck” which is currently screening on the festival circuit. www.noertker.com

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69
Album Review

Noertker's Moxie: druidh penumbrae

Read "druidh penumbrae" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


With his 9th album for San Francisco Bay Area-based Edgetone Records, bassist, composer Bill Noertker's Moxie ensemble is captured live during performances between 2011-2015. As a composer, he derives influence from famous visual artists, architects, poets and sculptors. Thus, his compositional impetus contains grounded jazz elements, yet his works feature lyrical mosaics of sound amid geometrical unison flows, whimsical overtones and a storytelling approach. Moxie consists of alternating personnel, spanning the various ensemble configurations of these live performances. ...

4
Album Review

Noertker's Moxie: Little Bluedevil (Blue Rider Suite, Vol. 2)

Read "Little Bluedevil (Blue Rider Suite, Vol. 2)" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


In the liners to Little Bluedevil (Blue Rider Suite, Vol. 2), bassist Bill Noertker provides insight into his penchant for gleaning inspiration from visual artists and extending the Germany-based Blue Rider Movement that was formed in 1911 by artists, armed with disparate creative ideologies. Noertker's compositions derive inferences from nouveau classical concepts, dance, minimalism, mainstream jazz, bop and often propose theatrical attributes. As a bassist, he becomes deeply involved in the mechanics, coming from nearly all conceivable angles.

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"The arrangements are definitely on the “austerely linear” side while maintaining the necessary technical finesse, not privileging egotism (although solo spots are featured), rather looking for a delicate textural balance. Intriguing contrapuntal combinations and disguised virtuosity help to find the way to an instant comprehension of Noertker's intention. Truly great music, independent from genres." from TOUCHING EXTREMES selected writings of Massimo Ricci
Primary Instrument

Bass

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

$60/hour for lessons lesson times now available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 2pm until 10pm Located in San Francisco's Inner Richmond district My teaching system begins with a rigorous diagnostic test of your abilities in eleven categories. After testing we will have a collaborative consultation where we will discuss your results and formulate a lesson plan, tailored specifically to you, that will increase your skills in each of the categories where you need improvement. We will work together to choose a repertoire of music for the application of the skills you will be learning. You will need to commit to a program of practicing and studying.

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

druidh penumbrae

Edgetone Records
2017

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Little Bluedevil...

Edgetone Records
2012

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Some Circles (Blue...

Edgetone Records
2010

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Druidh Lacunae

Edgetone Records
2009

buy

Sketches of...

Edgetone Records
2009

buy

Rent Romus' Lords of...

Edgetone Records
2009

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