Cross Modulations Series: Tontine Ensemble | Ratchet

Tontine Ensemble was founded in the spring of 2014 with the mission to perform improvisational and contemporary chamber works, as well as champion new music from composers in their community. Its four current members first played together for a Blank Radio (Milwaukee, WI) recording session and immediately began rehearsing regularly. Allen Russell, Molly Lieberman, Pat Reinholz, and Barry Paul Clark are all classically trained musicians who teach and regularly perform in a variety of styles around the Milwaukee area and beyond.

Tontine Ensemble has appeared as guest artists at Mike Neumeyer and Friends, Danceworks, Inc. (Paleontology of a Woman – 2014, Footsteps, Shadows & Whispers – 2015), Milwaukee Follies, Formations Series for New and Improvised Music, Alverno Presents (Prince Uncovered – 2015), The Pre-Maturely Air Conditioned Arts Collective, performed in the inaugural Milwaukee Fringe Festival in August 2016, and collaborated on a new score to the choreography of Garrett Glassman for Milwaukee Ballet’s “MXE: Milwaukee Mixed” event in February 2018.

The ensemble has shared the stage with JOBS, Netmoiré, Lovely Socialite Mrs. Thomas W. Phipps, 1913, Geodes, Trench, Jonah Parzen-Johnson, Jamison Williams, Nestle, Tyler Damon + Tashi Dorji duo., Spires That In The Sunset Rise + Michael Zerang, and Rhythmplex founder Jon Mueller.

Ratchet is the a collective of improvisers consisting of Jeff Chan (Woodwinds – Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Flute), Chad Clark (Guitar), Michael Perkins (Piano, Keyboards, and Synth), and Ausberto Acevedo (Double Bass).

The quartet had previously collaborated in many other arenas but never as a unit. In 2023, that changed when they debuted as the collective Ratchet