Banana Acid is an improvising ensemble made up of Aaron Kaufman-Levine, Caroline Jesalva, Erez Dessel, Garrett Frees, and Tyler Wagner. Banana Acid is committed to the practice of spontaneous composition, influenced and shaped by their studies at New England Conservatory of Music. Their unique sonic language synthesizes deep individual studies of various music traditions,  including early jazz, free jazz, classical, electro-acoustic, and folk music. Their recording and performance techniques draw on modernist and postmodernist  cultural movements, including surrealism and deconstructivism. A creative and adventurous force in the world of the avant-garde, their sound is uncompromising, and their musical approach pushes at the boundaries of free jazz. 

Within the last two years, all members have moved to Chicago where they actively perform, record, curate, and present improvised music. Activities include creating and presenting a multidisciplinary music festival featuring all original music by Chicago musicians; curating multiple series’ with visual and experimental video artists; presenting the Banana Acid Fruit Stand Variety Show (an exhibition of visual art and music; and the recording of their first album on cassette tape, with plans for a self-release in 2025.