I really, really struggle with words. I find enormous friction in writing- that to find a properly compelling voice takes enormous time, energy, editing, and I'm still going to re-read it a week later and hate it.
(I have re-written this piece 6 times.)
To be clear, I believe there is enormous value in writing- it is an incredibly efficient way of communicating. We can convey ideas quickly, thoroughly; we can go back and edit our ideas to perfection. There is a direct transmission here between my words and your eyes. This directness allows for the relaying of huge amounts of information in a very clear, unambiguous way.
This clarity is the problem, however; the definitiveness feels incredibly restrictive. Here, I am limited to communicating in the positive space. The words I write, you read, and therein lies the transfer of information. There are, of course, many brilliant writers who are able to surpass this, to convey exponentially more information than they explicitly state, however I feel personally that the amount of information I am able to transmit is 1-to-1.
Still, when I have something I want to be understood, I find that writing is the best medium. When I have something I want to be felt, I rely on music. Here, my rate of return feels exponential. Songwriting takes the onus off of myself to provide all of the information. The dynamic is no longer that I write and you understand, but rather that we create an experience together. My only goal is to provide a frame for you to fill.
Music (especially performed live) is an ambiguous art, leaving so much open to interpretation in the moment. I love this ambiguity, I feel it allows for a nuance and subtlety that I struggle to access otherwise. There is of course a trade-off; maybe certain ideas are lost in translation, but others can take root and bloom far beyond their capacities in other mediums.
Most importantly, I'm able to exploit the negative space: the notes or phrases unsaid, the implications of proximity of various material, the context of place and time, the dynamic with other performers. The story can be told in the cracks, which holds infinite possibility.
About
River Adomeit is a songwriter and improviser deeply rooted in the American folk and jazz traditions. Originally from the United States and currently residing in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, River casts a wide net of influences that he seamlessly incorporates into his bold and concentrated approach to composition and performance.
River earned his master’s degree summa cum laude from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and was recently announced as one of the newest members of the Splendor collective. He has performed with improvised music luminaries (Jamey Haddad, Joris Roelofs, Michael Vatcher, Billy Childs, Yuri Honing, and Matt Wilson,) and has taken part in performances and tours across Europe, Japan, Brazil, India, Nepal, South Africa, and Israel.
His bold and concentrated approach to composition and performance earned him the title of Jonge Maker for Jazzfest Amsterdam 2024, where he used the position to explore a more theatrical approach to improvisation. Together with co-conspirator Beatrice Sberna, "Gestour” was born, a vocal/bass duo that infuses their music with comedy and satire.
As leader of improv-folk trio Flatland Prayer, River takes an interdisciplinary approach to songwriting. The trio’s unique incorporation of theater, visual arts, and spoken word resulted in their winning of Keep an Eye: The Records 2025, for which they will be releasing a new album in January 2026. Flatland Prayer exclusively works with through-composed sets of music with their own distinctive storyline and narrative flow; they’ve tackled everything from identity and relationships to far-right extremism .
In addition to his work as bandleader, River is also an accomplished sideman. He is the current bassist for Mongolian jazz/folk singer Enji, with whom he has performed at venues in 10+ countries such as the Barbican in London, North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, and SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Photos by Bjørk Semey
With Flatland Prayer at Jazzfest Amsterdam 2025/ Photo by Eric van Nieuwland
Jazzfest Amsterdam, 2024 as Jonge Maker feat. Joris Roelofs/ Photo by Eric van Nieuwland
Photo by Bjørk Semey
South by Southwest, 2024 with Enji/ Photo by Martin Brugger
Photo by Solène Morel
Solo bass live at the Roode Bioscoop/ Photo by Bjørk Semey
Contact
riveradomeit@gmail.com