The Sonus Rex Label NYC Based on a four-decade documented contribution to the international music scene, from early 1980s reel to reel tape, and DIY produced, and distributed Progressive Jazz Fusion, Punk/New Wave and Experimental Electronica, to activity on the U.S. East Coast and New York City Jazz scene of the late 1980s-mid 90s. Composer and Guitarist Sten Hostfalt launched the Stockholm, Sweden registered label g-wOw in 2002, to facilitate the production of recordings of his original music and work as a leader. The first of which was Eternity Check, featuring a 1992 recording session initiated by mentor, American jazz avant pioneer Paul Bley. And the second being the Knitting Factory New York live recorded 2002 solo concert performance released as '29 Pieces for the Microtonal Guitar Live at Knitting factory New York'. This then in morphed into Brooklyn NY 2006 registered Sonus Rex, for further organization of music production and education endeavors.
The catalog of nine releases, and the organization of hundreds of live concert events, all of which have included some of the most prolific improvising musicians, artists and audio engineers on the East Coast U.S., New York City and global creative music scene. Have been enthusiastically documented by members of the international jazz journalist community such as John Kelman (All about Jazz and Jazz Views U.K.) , Barry Cleveland (Guitar Player), Grego Applegate Edwards (Cadence), Larry Cosentino (Signal to Noise), Kenneth Egbert (Jazz Now), Don Williamson and Natasha Washington (Jazz Review), and Hank Shteamer. (Time Out NY), Alekos Pandelis (Altrisuoni, Italy), and Jose Luis Luna (TomaJazz, Spain).
To name some of the many musicians/artists involved in the work of what is now Sonus Rex: bassists Tim Luntzel, Richard Hammond, Matt Pavolka, Bruno Råberg, Matthew Garrison, and Shayna Dulberger. Saxophonists Ole Mathisen, Blaise Siwula, Matthew Renzi, Don Houge, and Noah Preminger. Drummers Marko Djordjevic, Dave Miller, Lise-Lotte Norelius, and Jimmy Weinstein. Trumpet players Takuya Nakamura, Johnny Lapio, and David Boato. Vocalists Melissa Kassel, Lilliana Santon, Constance Cooper. Keyboardist Evan Gallagher, pianist Paul Bley. Vibraphonist Tom Beckham, violaist Robyn Siwula, violinist Katt Hernandez, bassoonist Claire de Brunner, trombonist Stan Nishimura, guitarist Bruce Arnold. Spoken word poet Raymond Todd, and Choreographer and dance artist Savina Theodorou.
Audio engineers collaborations: Jason Tubbs (Knitmedia NYC)Greg Thompson (Kampo NYC), Doug Henderson (Micro-Moose NYC), Eric Tew (Toxic Audio, Boston MA), Peter Kontrimas, Boston, MA. Marc Trewella (Full Circle Mastering, Philadelphia, PA), Göran Stegborn (SAMI, Stockholm), Per Westerlund (Independent), Mattz Larsson (Swedish Radio, Gävle), Stephan Lövstrand (Swedish Radio, Västmanland), Jaques Vivant and Andre' Votz (Le Triton, Les Lilas, France), Blaise Siwula (NYC Downtown field recording archivist).
Venues and organizations that have hosted Sonus Rex projects, and preceding related work, include: DowntownNew York City's ABC No Rio, The Bowery Poetry Club, Nublu, The C-Note, University of the Streets, Cafe' 5C, and Knitting Factory (Leonard St.), Uptown New York City's Symphony Space, Carlito's Cafe'/Art For Change, and Shrine (Harlem). Brooklyn's Goodbye Blue Monday, Eat Records, Stain Bar, Freddie's Backroom, The Issue Project Room, and ShapeShifter Lab. Philadelphia's Bowerbird. Boston's, Zeitgeist Gallery, Lizard Lounge, The Willow, The Eastern Front, Ryles Jazz Club, and WBRS Radio Brandeis. Miami, Florida's New World School of The Arts (University of Florida). In Spain: Pilar i Fundacio' Joan Miro', Palma de Mallorca. In France: Club Le Triton, Les Lilas. In Sweden: Uppsala Jazz Club. Sandviken Big Bang Jazz Festival, The Swedish Radio, the Swedish Arts Council, and the Arts Committee of Sweden.