Tomchess and Strange Ornament Quartet use subtle harmonic color, extended melodic shapes, oddly proportioned rhythmic figures, as well as deep grooving, and alternative handling of space and scale, outlaying sound to iterate and explore stories that employ universal references in order to augment the singularity of individual style and sustain the endeavors of creativity.
NYC-based, multi-instrumentalist/improviser/composer Tomchess has played and recorded with some of the heaviest players in the improvisational scene (Dewey Redman, Butch Morris, Pharoah Sanders, Drew Gress, Ronald Shannon Jackson), as well as Morrocan Sintarist Hassan Hakmoun. Having studied Near Eastern and North African musical traditions, his sound encompasses the tonal palette, rhythms and forms of these traditions while never losing sight of his American roots and the importance and freedom of improvising.
Tomchess has performed internationally (Africa, Canada, Holland, India and Italy) and has performed in countless venues including Lincoln Center, The David Rubinstein Atrium, the Asia Society, the Metropolitan Museum of Art,the Natural History Museum,as well as the United Nations. He has also performed on NPR and PBS and played on Grammy-nominated recordings. He has been awarded grants from the Turkish American Society and The Maryland Council for The Arts. In 2012, Tomchess was nominated for an Independent Music Award.