In a certain sense, Sqwonk came into existence some time in the spring of 2005. This is when Jon Russell and Jeff Anderle started playing bass clarinet duets together, leading up to a joint recital in May, the discovery of the name Sqwonk that autumn, and History soon thereafter. In another, deeper sense, Sqwonk has always existed, in the fiery heart of the volcano, in the primal scream of the pterodactyl, and in the laughter of small children and rodents.

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The San Francisco-based Sqwonk bass clarinet duo is a dynamic and adventurous ensemble devoted to exploring the full expressive range of the bass clarinet, from deep resonances to raucous wails. Though grounded in the classical tradition, Sqwonk plays music that draws on a wide range of influences, from klezmer to heavy metal to blues to avant-garde improvisation, creating a repertoire that is both contemporary and broadly accessible to a wide audience. 

Formed in the Spring of 2005 by Jeff Anderle and Jonathan Russell, Sqwonk has given over thirty performances throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and in the past three years at a wide range of venues and events, including Old First Church, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Cafe du Nord, Noe Valley Ministries, the Berkeley Arts Festival, the Outsound Music Series, and Classical Jam at the Revolution Café.  In national tours, Sqwonk performances include the Bang on a Can Summer Festival, Gallery Icosadedron in NY, and the Stillhouse Theater in Philadelphia, and presented masterclasses at Princeton and Catholic University.  Sqwonk has performed Jonathan Russell’s “Duo Bass Clarinet Concerto” twice, once with the San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra, and once with Washington D.C.’s Great Noise Ensemble.

As a consequence of its mission to develop a new repertoire of bass clarinet duos, Sqwonk has already premiered or commissioned works by some fifteen composers, including Dan Becker, Cornelius Boots, Ryan Brown, Ian Dicke, Ruby Fulton, Ben Gribble, James Holt,  Marc Mellits, Aaron Novik, Ben Phelps, Brendon Randall-Myers, Belinda Reynolds, Jonathan Russell, Ken Thomson, and  Damon Waitkus. In 2006, Sqwonk received a Faculty Development grant from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to fund its first CD, which was released in the fall of 2007. Also in the fall of 2007, Sqwonk received a Northern California Composers Commissioning Program grant to fund a new work by composer Ryan Brown.   

Sqwonk is an affiliate of the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music.  If you are a true lover or just a casual fan, consider making a tax-deductible donation through them so we can fund future projects such as CDs, commissions, and concerts.  Donate now.

Repertoire:

Bach, J.S. (arr. Sqwonk): Toccata and Fugue in d minor

Bach: Prelude from Cello Suite in G major, a la Steve Reich

Becker, Dan: Better Late*

Boots, Cornelius: Sojourn of the Face*

Brown, Ryan: KNEE GAS (ON)*

Dicke, Ian: Profiteering*

Fulton, Ruby: Swinging Door*

Gribble, Benjamin: Contannister Bellows*

Holt, James: Action Items*

Mellits, Marc: Black*

Novik, Aaron: Strict9*

Phelps, Benjamin: A Musical Offering*

Puntin, Michael: L’ultimo abraccio

Randall-Myers: (de)focus(ed)*

Reich, Steve (arr. Sqwonk): Nagoya Marimbas

Reynolds, Belinda: commission coming soon...

Russell, Jonathan: KlezDuo*

Russell: ...and the Beast...*

Russell: Double Concerto*

Schorn, Steffen: The Opener

Thomson, Ken: Undo*

Waitkus, Damon: Valediction*

Wagner, Richard (arr. Sqwonk): Wedding March

* indicates piece was commissioned by Sqwonk