LUKAS PEARSE

Self-described as an upright, downright and forthright bassist, Lukas Pearse is known to many by the radical breadth of his musical appetite, easily encompassing free improvisation, country-folk, orchestral classical, electroacoustic composition, tango, hip-hop, contemporary classical, bossa nova, traditional jazz and experimental performance art.

Lukas' education includes studies in contemporary musicology at Goldsmiths College in London, UK, contemporary music performance at Dalhousie, but began by studying audio-visual art at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

Lukas has performed with innumerable original Halifax bands and is well represented in the recordings and history of the Halifax independent music scene, appearing on recordings by Blackpool, Buck 65, Al Tuck, Rebecca West, Sixtoo, The Rusty Wheels and Little Miss Moffat, among many others. In addition to this extensive accompaniment experience, he has performed with noted improvising artists and composers including Norman Adams, Rose Bolton, Paul Cram, Christine Duncan, Lori Freedman Francois Houle, Jim Montgomery, Jeff Riley, Rodger Redgate and Andrew Morgan.

Recent ensembles include the Inner Workings trio playing visceral new compositions in Berlin, the Live Animal trio performing and recording with singer-songwriter Amelia Curran's Mercy Band, and playing with Benn Ross and His Fabulous Band, integrating folk and improvisational music. With the Andrew Duke Ensemble, Lukas has been exploring live electroacoustic music.

Lukas has written and conducted pieces for the Upstream Orchestra, hosted the Improv at the Khyber series during the Atlantic Jazz Festival, exhibited sonic art installation-performances at the Eye Level Gallery, Mount Saint Vincent Art Gallery, Dalhousie Art Gallery, The Khyber Gallery and the Anna Leanowens Galleries, collaborated on sound installations with audio-visual artists such as Glynis Humphrey, Christof Migone, Kim Dawn and Dan Lander, manipulated radios as part of the BBC's 2004 John Cage Festival, scored music for video, film and television, as well as sharing his passion for challenging music by hosting programs on Halifax's CKDU-FM for over 10 years.