reConvert was born as a natural extension of the percussion repertoire of the last seventy years, to become a seal of identity that rejects generic definitions and bets on a continuous work between different artists in which the questioning of the dogmas of the academy is in the foreground.
With difficulties in defining the facet of the percussionist of our time, due to the evolution that the “instrument” has undergone in itself, reConvert raises an aesthetic question without complexes, and that does not feed on the natural limits and definitions of terms. Halfway between percussion and electronics, the new projects that reConvert faces could well be named with different adjectives, without any of them being able to define them completely and fully. For this, reConvert bases its bet on a continuous and
deep work with diverse creators of the panorama of our time such as Kaj Duncan David, Alexander Schubert, Simon Steen-Andersen, Michael Maierhof, Jorge Sánchez-Chiong, Fernando Manassero or Luciano Azzigotti.
reConvert carries out activities in Europe, America and Asia, constantly evolving and questioning the uses and bets of resources, techniques and means that it carries out continuously. The instruments, objects, elements, interfaces… are in themselves tools to reach the artistic aims that reConvert proposes, and they must be at the service of creation.
Its continued work includes, in addition to concerts, workshops in various institutions such as the Royal College of London, Universidad Tres de Febrero of Buenos Aires, Columbia University (New York), among others.
reConvert was founded in 2013 by Roberto Maqueda & Víctor Barceló. In 2018 Lorenzo Colombo joined the group.
ROBERTO MAQUEDA
Heterodox percussionist (and/or artist) interested in avant-garde art, new forms of communication as well as their implementation in the sound-musical creation of our time. He studied with Christian Dierstein, Fred Frith, Håkon Stene or Steven Schick. At the moment he is carrying out an artistic research project on co-creative practices. His main projects are reConvert, y-band and Ensemble CONTAINER. In recent times he has been presented at Manifeste Festival, Wien Modern, MaerzMusik; among other festivals. He has been an external professor at the Conservatori Liceu of Barcelona. He is based in Basel (CH).
LORENZO COLOMBO
Lorenzo Colombo is a percussionist and performer dedicated to researching and promoting new music. He is collaborating with contemporary music groups such as: Divertimento Ensemble, MDI Ensemble, Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen, Sentieri Selvaggi.
He has been identified as a promising young performer by the Ulysses. As well he has performed in several festivals, (including the “Manifeste 2016” IRCAM Paris, Warsaw Autumn Festival 2014, Darmstadt Summer Courses 2014, “Biennale Musica 2016” Venice , Gaudeamus Muziekweek 2017, “Klang Festival 2016”, “Rondó Divertimento Ensemble”, MI.TO, Milano Musica,) playing both soloist and chamber music.
MIKOLAJ RYTOWSKI
Mikołaj Rytowski is a percussionist, performer, and improviser based in Basel, Switzerland. His practice departs from the conventional understanding of percussion as a musical instrument and instead engages with sound and creativity through more organic and innovative means.
Mikołaj in his work focuses on composer-performer collaboration, where apart from presenting work, he engages in process of its creation. As creator and improviser, he continuously explores percussion and electronic instruments possibilities, investigating routes for new combinations and sonic discoveries.
He has performed across Europe with many notable artists and groups, having an opportunity to play on such festivals as ManiFeste Paris, Time of Music Viitasaari, Warsaw Autumn, Gaudeamus, Sanatorium of Sound Skolowsko, Donaueschinger Musiktage, Rümlingen Festival, Zeiträume Basel, impuls. Academy for Contemporary Music, Darmstadt Summer Course, Luzern Festival.
Rytowski will join reConvert for the performance of Plerome (Luciano Azzigotti), and Human User Interface (Andreas Eduardo Frank + reConvert)
MIGUEL ÁNGEL GARCÍA MARTÍN
Miguel Ángel García Martín (*1989, Zamora) is a percussionist, performer and improviser active in a variety of contexts such as contemporary classical music, multidisciplinary performances, sound-installation and experimental music based in Basel, Switzerland.
Seeking new sound worlds, developing unconventional playing techniques and collaborating with other artists are currently the basis of his artistic praxis. Some fruitful examples are the collaboration with Swiss drummer Julian Sartorius or multiple music-theaters with e.g. Simon Steen-Andersen, Ondrej Adamek, Andreas Frank or Ole Hübner.
Garcia is an active performer in the European circuit and can be regularly seen at festivals and venues such as Biennale di Venezia, Staatsoper Berlin, ECLAT, Spielart Festival München, Klang Copenhagen or MUSICA Strasbourg.
Miguel is member of the percussion quartet ensemble this | ensemble that, Fachbetrieb Rita Grechen theater company, KvG Bottom Orchestra and Ensemble Lemniscate.
Garcia will join reConvert for the performance of Automatic Modes of Human Labour (Hugo Morales Murguia + reConvert).