Mission Statement
1. We are group of musicians who, drawing on jazz, classical, folk and rock traditions, are dedicated to the exploration of contemporary practice in improvisation.
2. We are interested in exploring different practices and means of communication, including, but not limited to, verbal, visual, auditory, gestural, concrete and abstract.
3. We are a platform and resource for emerging artists to present their work and/or collaborate with other artists.
4. We exist as a means to community development and networking to bring artists together, and present their work to a broad audience.
5. We believe in the positive impact that culturally engaged artistic endeavors could have upon the community in which it takes place.
Meet the IMOO team
Linsey Wellman (co-founder / programming director)
Linsey Wellman is known as a creative and spontaneous improvisor on the alto and soprano saxophones, the alto and standard flutes, and the bass clarinet. As well as having recorded with, among many others: Rakestar Arkestra, Mike Essoudry’s Mash Potato Mashers, Kobo Town, Galitcha, Ellen McIlwaine, and the Craig Pedersen Quartet, he has released an eponymous collaborative album with drummer Mike Essoudry, and Ephemera: for solo saxophone, a suite of guided improvisations for solo alto saxophone.
Together with Craig Pedersen, he acts as co-programming and co-artistic director, seeking out the finest improvising musicians in Ottawa/Outaouais and beyond, as well as acting as a liason to the community.
Craig Pedersen (co-founder / programming director)
Award winning trumpet player and composer Craig Pedersen is one of Ottawa’s busiest creative musicians. Since moving from Victoria, BC, via Montreal three years ago, he has performed with nearly every major jazz and classical ensemble in town, has been an active freelance musician and has co-founded the IMOO series. A 2011 Canada Council Professional Musician grant winner, 2009 participant in Dave Douglas’ International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music in Banff, AB, and 2009 participant at Ed Carroll’s Center for Advanced Musical Studies at Chosen Vale, Craig has quickly become an indispensable musician in the Ottawa music scene.
Together with Linsey Wellman, he acts as co-programming and co-artistic director, seeking out the finest improvising musicians in Ottawa/Outaouais and beyond, as well as acting as a liason to the community.
Renée Yoxon (communications director)
Young vocalist Renée Yoxon is a central figure in Ottawa’s jazz scene thanks to her grace, captivating presence and beautiful voice. In only a few short years, Renée has firmly established herself as a musician dedicated to the art of jazz singing. Since joining the IMOO team, Renée has become responsible for the organization’s web-presence, including social media, site maintenance.