ContraPunctus is an ensemble uniting four distinctive voices in contemporary music: with

Mike McGinnis - clarinet and saxophones
Carmen Staaf - piano
Gui Duvignau - bass
Hamir Atwal - drums

The group takes its name and inspiration from the ancient musical practice of weaving independent melodies into a single harmonic and rhythmic texture. Their music embraces the full breadth of their collective experience across jazz, free improvisation, rock, and folk traditions, moving fluidly between original compositions, reimaginings of works by Carla Bley, Baden Powell, and Billy Strayhorn, and spontaneous improvisations. At once rooted and exploratory, ContraPunctus invites listeners into music that is alive in the moment; polyphonic, adventurous, joyful and generous.

"[..] their book teems with melodies, always a plus compared to the mildly predictable riff tunes that occasionally show up on stages these days. Plus, they’re a band, with a handful of writers and broader persona because of it. The three or four times I’ve caught ’em, [ContraPunctus] have tickled me immensely by continuously passing the ball around. A romantic tune from the bassist, an introspective piece from the pianist, and a flight of fancy from the reed player - their directions are many. Not to mention that Carla Bley update. And the solos "Staaf’s a fire starter, pure and simple. Variety is you know what, so get ready to be tickled yourself." Jim Macnie