Alt—Aar: A Tribute To Moondog

Alt—Aar
LIVE concerts
in the Sint—Joriskerk
Antwerp

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MOONDOG FREQUENCIES
Moondog’s real name was Louis Hardin (1916–1999). The American became blind at the age of sixteen due to an accident, but despite this, he developed into a versatile and tireless composer. In the 1950s and 60s, the bearded poet and street musician—dressed as a Viking—was often found on 6th Avenue in New York — Moondog, The Viking of 6th Avenue. The Viking drew many curious onlookers and quickly became a cult figure in the Big Apple. Many musicians from the city’s rich jazz scene were intrigued by the eccentric figure and his experimental sounds and exotic instruments. His vast body of work spans jazz, classical, and folk music, yet is often classified as avant-garde.

To this day, Moondog continues to inspire people and receives acclaim worldwide… and now there is also the passionate admiration of Maarten Vergauwen.

Maarten Vergauwen is the artistic coordinator of the BSC, the Belgian Saxophone Choir, a forward-thinking saxophone ensemble that resonates far beyond national borders. Maarten and Moondog share a love for the saxophone, field recordings, and four-to-the-floor drumbeats. Maarten Vergauwen accompanies Moondog loops, rare Moondog video footage, and voice-overs on saxophone and a variety of electronics. Long live the experiment! Long live Moondog!

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"Moondog was a composer par excellence, whose work spanned the rhythmic thrust of Stravinsky, the ingenuity of Raymond Scott and the chops of any of jazz's finest" Pitchfork