BL!NDMAN [sax]

Eric Sleichim founded this contemporary music ensemble in 1988. Since 2008 the saxophone quartet shares its 20 years of performing experience with three young quartets BL!NDMAN [drums], BL!NDMAN [strings] and BL!NDMAN [vox] making it possible for the two generations to exchange ideas.

BL!NDMAN was founded in 1988 by saxophonist and composer Eric Sleichim. The saxophone quartet immediately developed new playing techniques and significantly expanded the instrument’s repertoire, by constantly exploring the boundaries with other disciplines.

Since 2008 the saxophone quartet has been sharing its more than 20 years of stage experience with the quartets BL!NDMAN [drums], BL!NDMAN [strings] and BL!NDMAN [vox]; a cross-pollination between 2 generations and four quartets that constantly conjures up new worlds of sound.

Eric Sleichim and BL!NDMAN have garnered international acclaim with their multi-disciplinary approach. Right from the start, they were offered projects from the theatre and dance world, as well as developing multi-media performances, and providing live music for a number of silent films.
They have collaborated with artists including Jan Fabre, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Heiner Goebbels and Ivo Van Hove.

In his search for the saxophone’s unexplored potential, Eric Sleichim has been focussing since 1999 on early music. First, he arranged Bach’s Chorale Partitas for saxophone quartet. BL!NDMAN plays Bach was an instant hit. Other programmes with old music then followed – often in collaboration with specialist ensembles such as Collegium Vocale Gent or the Huelgas Ensemble; Multiple Voice, Chromatic Variations, Isotropes, Contrapunte alla mente, Secret Masses, Utopia 47 and recently, Cross Talks with the 16-strong BL!NDMAN collective.

In 2013 BL!NDMAN celebrated its 25th birthday with the release of the CD 32 Foot / the Organ of Bach, which got the KLARA award for best CD production in Flanders.

MEDIA

The Tuning Path – Terry Riley BL!NDMAN (sax) from BL!NDMAN on Vimeo.

New York Counterpoint – Steve Reich

New York Counterpoint – Steve Reich BL!NDMAN (sax) from BL!NDMAN on Vimeo.