As previously reported, Richard Johnson, the award-winning musician and founder of SoundOut, has been relieved and excited at having at last been granted ArtsACT project funding for the event, which he always promises us, will “uplift tired ears [and] explore the unknown”. He’s also been supported by the Norwegian, Swedish, Austrian, Danish and German governments.

Today, February 2, the festival is hosting an adjunct improvisation workshop by Paal Nilssen-Love, Sten Sandell, Isabelle Duthoit and Franz Hautzinger at the ANU School of Music, then on the weekend promises sonic revelations by artists from Australia, Austria, Denmark, France, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden and the US that will, combine, mix, cross-fertilise, and “move sound mountains”.

This is the 9th year of SoundOut and the line-up is as follows.

From Norway and Sweden come the duo of Sten Sandell (piano), and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums) while From Austria and France the duo Franz Hautzinger (trumpet) and Isabelle Duthoit, (vocals/clarinet) from the US, vocalist Bonnie Lander and expat-cellist Judith Hamann. From Germany there’ll be saxophonist Georg Wissell, from Denmark (bassist) Adam Pultz-Melbye and expat (guitarist) Julia Reidy in the Duo Tennis of all Kinds From Sweden we’ll see Johan Moir (bassist) with expat Casey Moir (vocalist) in the duo called Ignite while from Malaysia, electroacoustic artist Goh -Lee Kwang, from Melbourne saxophonist Scott McCounnachie and guitarist Ren Walters duo. From Sydney there’ll be vocal artist Tony Osborne and on electronic/clarinet Alexandra Spence.

And yes, from Canberra will be Miroslav Bukovsky (trumpet), Amelia Watson (objects, toy piano/prepared piano) Psithurism trio (John Porter (tenor saxophone Rhys Butler, alto saxophone Richard Johnson, wind instruments) and young composer/improviser Ben Drury on double bass.

It’s all part of what Johnson sees as: “an international dialogue that is essential to the unfolding of new music structures and what it means to be human in the 21st Century.”

“SoundOut” improvisational, free jazz and experimental music festival, at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery on Saturday and Sunday, February 3-4, from 1pm- 5pm and 7pm -11:30pm on both dayseventbrite.com.au/e/soundout-festival-2018-tickets-39378405872