Live solo improvisations, quick demos, curios and puzzles.

Ziji Zuode (自己做的 - Made It Myself)

How not to use a looper. A live improvisation.

Jon Davis - Searching for Meaning Where There Is None (Demo)

First attempt working on a scheme for live solo improvisation involving the tools at hand. The percussion part was programmed in advance, but other parts done live to loops and sequences. Laptop sequencing controlling Yamaha MU-50 module (drums), Ensoniq Mirage (choir sample and bells), Chapman Stick through Bass Muff, Boss Chorus and Vox Dynamic Looper on the bass side, Rat and Memory Man on the melody side. Pro-One MIA due to technical issues. All sounds conceived by Jon Davis.

Zhongyu - Concept with No Word (Live Solo Improv)

A little sketch that will probably end up being part of something longer. Four Stick parts onto four tracks. Composed, arranged and performed by Jon Davis much too quickly.

Zhongyu - This Page Intentionally Left Blank

Experimenting with different sounds on the guzheng. Four improvised passes with different combinations of effects. Composed, arranged, and performed by Jon Davis.

Zhongyu - Word with No Meaning (Improv)

For a change, this multi-pass improvisation was done entirely with keyboards, specifically the Mirage. Composed and performed by Jon Davis.

Zhongyu - Meanwhile, in the Back of My Head (Improv)

Another sort of improvisation. I threw the drum program together with as much randomness as possible when you're clicking a mouse. I improvised a loop on the Mirage (strings and piano), building up from simple to hyperactive. Then I improvised a bass part on the Stick, and after that a treble part on the Stick. "Cambrian Romance" part 3. Composed and performed by Jon Davis.

Zhongyu - Anomalocaris Mating Behavior (Artist's Conception) (Improv)

Zhongyu (终于) is Chinese for "finally" (as in "what took so long?"), and is the name for the current musical project of Jon Davis, who currently lives in Seattle, and formerly lived in Beijing. Before that he lived in Seattle. A long time ago he was in a band called Wild Debbies. Some things from that bygone age will get posted here as well as new stuff.

For newer music, Zhongyu attempts to creatively combine progressive rock with adventurous jazz, electronics and various sounds from around the world. Currently that mostly includes East Asia, but most anything is possible.

Zhongyu - Anomalocaris Mating Behavior (Artist's Conception) (Improv)

Zhongyu 终于