By Lookout News

August 11, 2023 -- Singing in invented voices and experimental cool jazz are among the cutting-edge musical offerings at the remaining Soundwaves free concerts this year at the Santa Monica Public Library.

Soundwaves draws on Los Angeles’ "deep history of experimentation in rock, jazz, classical, and uncategorizable creative music, bringing the underground back to the Westside," concert organizers said.

The series takes place at at the Main Library’s Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium with all performances on Saturdays at 3:30 p.m.

On September 2, rising star Patrick Shiroishi presents music for four saxophonists, followed by a concert on October 7 by Anna Homler, who "sings in invented languages and creates sound with found objects."

She will be joined by Jorge Martin on electronics and series coordinator Jeff Schwartz on string bass.

On November 4, composer Michael Jon Fink "picks up his guitar for a set of music inspired by the experimental side of cool jazz, with clarinetist Brian Walsh and cellist Derek Stein."

Bay Area clarinetist Ben Goldberg takes the stage December 2 with an all-star trio including Grammy and Tony-winning bassist Todd Sickafoose and drummer Scott Amendola.

This year's offerings conclude on December 9 when Berlin-based oboist Cathy Milliken, a founding member of Ensemble Modern, performs with Schwartz on bass and series co-founder Daniel Rothman on clarinet.

Soundwaves is also teaming with the Angel City Jazz Festival to host a talk by composer/performer Nicole Mitchell, on her recent book "The Mandorla Letters: For the Hopeful," on Thursday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the MLK Auditorium.

Mitchell’s book is "an original, powerful, and accessible blend of Afrofuturist fiction, memoir, ecofeminist manifesto, and notes on her music." A book sale and signing will follow her talk.

Soundwaves is supported by the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library and the Amphion Foundation and collaborates with the Angel City Jazz Festival, Piano Spheres, Jacaranda Music, Microfest, Cold Blue Music and the Dog Star Orchestra.

The Main Library is directly served by Big Blue routes 1, R10 and 18. Other bus routes and the Blue Line stop nearby. Bike racks are also available.