Point of Contact is an intimate collaborative project led by multi-reedist Ellen Weller in her second major album. Centered on Ellen’s long-standing musical relationship with husband/pianist Bob Weller, Point of Contact explores the various intersections that occur during real-time composition given the diverse musical paradigms of the players. This essential concept grew out of a suite of graphically notated pieces (Point of Contact, Point of Departure, Point of No Return and Point of Impact), which set up possible contrast/variation/mutation dialogues. Solo and duo improvisations by Bob and Ellen reveal their jazz and classical underpinnings, and the quirky prepared piano sounds coupled with jaw harp, ocarina and recorder wistfully suggests both lost childhood and the absurdity of war. Three trios and a duo mix in the mastery of internationally acclaimed bassist Mark Dresser, each ranging from quiet, introspective linear textures to explosive, in-your-face bursts of spicy dissonance and extended techniques.
"Bob and Ellen Weller are inspired musicians with a high degree of intuition... These pieces are at home somewhere in the great distance between
avant-garde jazz and new music..."
-Ragazzi