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Panel discussion featuring the foremothers of Free Improvisation: Scottish vocalist Maggie Nicols, French bassist Joëlle Léandre and Swiss pianist Irène Schweizer.

In the world of free improvisation Nicols, Léandre and Schweizer have been there and done it all. Their collective CV reads like a who’s who of avant-garde music in the 20th and 21st centuries. They have played with all the legendary figures including John Cage, Pauline Oliveros, John Stevens, Evan Parker, Derek Bailey, Anthony Braxton, Phil Minton and many others.

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They are also towering musicians in their own right. As founder members of the iconic Feminist Improvising Group (1978-1982) they changed the elitist male-domination of free improvised music forever. 

For Nicols, Léandre and Schweizer, free improvisation charts the path to musical and social liberation. This panel, chaired by D-M Withers, is a unique opportunity to hear about the history of feminist free improvisation and its ongoing evolution.

This event is free with a ticket to the Les Diaboliques evening performance, but tickets are limited.  To book your place please call our Visitor Experience Team on 0117 917 2300.

Read an interview with Maggie Nicols.

This tour is supported by Arts Council England and Pro Helvetia and is the first-and-last opportunity to see Les Diaboliques perform in England.