11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
10 Temmuz 2012 Salı
MATT SENECA ON THE BROOKLYN COMICS AND GRAPHICS FEST, REVIEWS ELF BOOKLETS 1-4
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9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi
Myanmar: Ruben Vincente & João Almeida
To contact us Click HERE
Ruben Vicente and João Almeida have just inaugurated a photo exhibition of their work from Myanmar (Burma) in Lisbon, just a few minutes away from the Belém neighborhood. It will be available until mid September, and if I lived in Europe, I'd go just to view their images. Yes, I would. I even have the address: Espaço João Sousa Valles Rua Gonçalves Zarco, 2A Lisboa.
Ruben is a freelance photographer (and a computational physicist) and João is also a freelance photographer (and a web developer), both living and working in Lisbon.
Ruben has just published an excellent ebook titled Myanmar: A Journey Through Time of his photographs, along with cogent and well written travel photography advice for this wonderful country, just emerging from a state of military dictatorship. I know there's a rush of travelers and photographers to Myanamr (Burma)...so do yourself a real favor, buy Ruben's ebook and drop Lonely Planet and the like.
They sent me a short video clip of the photo exhibition, which provides a preview of what attendees will see.
I also have a couple of photographs by Ruben and João to convince you to view their websites, attend the exhibition if you can, and buy Ruben's book.
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| Photo © Ruben Vincente-All Rights Reserved |
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| Photo © Joao Almeida-All Rights Reserved |
Fuji X Pro-1: LGTB Hip Hop
To contact us Click HERE
I am so taken by the capabilities of the Fuji X Pro-1 that I created a new 'page' on my street photography website The Leica File (And X Pro-1) for my most recent project involving the LGTB Hip Hop gathering during the Gay Pride of 2012 in New York City.
Most of the images I've chosen were made by shooting from the hip, and by pre-visualizing the composition in my mind's eye...not quite a Hail Mary per se, but a sort of "eyeless" photography as I call it in my Is Shooting From The Hip...Photography? post of over a year ago.
I'm quite impressed by the quality of these images, especially as I've decided to quit using RAW with the Fuji X Pro-1 until such time there's adequate software support for its conversion. The Fuji RAW convertor is so clunky that it's laughable, and the Adobe Lightroom seems to have issues with it (I am also considering switching from Lightroom to Aperture....but that's another story).
All the photographs were shot in JPEG (Velvia film simulation setting), and sharpened a touch in Photoshop.
Many years ago, I was told that to be really successful, a street photograph should have no one in it looking at the camera or the photographer, essentially a candid moment. In the dense crowds of the LGBT Hip Hop crowd, that was impossible. However, by shooting from the hip, I did manage to capture such candid moments. The photograph (cropped) that I chose to accompany this post is one of those. A tender moment between two young people whose lives are just starting. Where will they be in 20 years' time?
In other photographs, I wasn't as successful...simply because I stood out like a sore thumb in that type of crowd, and just by being there attracted some stares (and in one instance, given the finger....but I had the camera to my face then).
I realize that I have already shown these photographs on this blog in a short Vimeo audio slideshow, but it didn't show them off in the best light...so these are now on my street photography blog.
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| Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy- All Rights Reserved |
I am so taken by the capabilities of the Fuji X Pro-1 that I created a new 'page' on my street photography website The Leica File (And X Pro-1) for my most recent project involving the LGTB Hip Hop gathering during the Gay Pride of 2012 in New York City.
Most of the images I've chosen were made by shooting from the hip, and by pre-visualizing the composition in my mind's eye...not quite a Hail Mary per se, but a sort of "eyeless" photography as I call it in my Is Shooting From The Hip...Photography? post of over a year ago.
I'm quite impressed by the quality of these images, especially as I've decided to quit using RAW with the Fuji X Pro-1 until such time there's adequate software support for its conversion. The Fuji RAW convertor is so clunky that it's laughable, and the Adobe Lightroom seems to have issues with it (I am also considering switching from Lightroom to Aperture....but that's another story).
All the photographs were shot in JPEG (Velvia film simulation setting), and sharpened a touch in Photoshop.
Many years ago, I was told that to be really successful, a street photograph should have no one in it looking at the camera or the photographer, essentially a candid moment. In the dense crowds of the LGBT Hip Hop crowd, that was impossible. However, by shooting from the hip, I did manage to capture such candid moments. The photograph (cropped) that I chose to accompany this post is one of those. A tender moment between two young people whose lives are just starting. Where will they be in 20 years' time?
In other photographs, I wasn't as successful...simply because I stood out like a sore thumb in that type of crowd, and just by being there attracted some stares (and in one instance, given the finger....but I had the camera to my face then).
I realize that I have already shown these photographs on this blog in a short Vimeo audio slideshow, but it didn't show them off in the best light...so these are now on my street photography blog.
Xenia Nikolskaya: Dust, Egypt's Forgotten Palaces
To contact us Click HERE
From afar, it seems Egypt and its people are still waiting to exhale since its popular uprising against the Mubarak regime, and 60 years of dictatorships...and whilst I try my best to counter the lay neo-cons and the agenda-driven commentators who write absurd comments about its current events and future in The New York Times by writing my own points of view (and they all get featured without fail), I fear the internal political situation in Egypt is murky, and will remain unsettled for the near future ...and that's an immense understatement.
So Xenia Nikolskaya's work on the UK's Daily Telegraph suffused me with mixed feelings. Dust is a good title for her photographs of buildings built after the Suez Canal opened in 1869, and before Nasser came to power in 1954, introducing sequestration decrees that would send many of the wealthy elite into exile.
The buildings, mansions, movie theaters, and retails stores that are depicted in Xenia's Dust have mostly fallen into disrepair. Due to long standing governmental rent-control policies, these once ornate and grandiose buildings were left to rot, with no repairs or maintenance done, as landlords weren't making money from them.
I recall the names of some of them....Radio Cinema ( I watched movies there, at a time when I was careful to count my change as the women at the ticket had the habit of "rounding" it in their favor), Sakakini Palace, Sarageldine Palace, while others are unknown to me.
Xenia Nikolskaya graduated from the Academy of Art in St Petersburg and then went on to study at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen. She has worked as a professional photographer since 1995, and became a member of the Russian Art Union in 2001. She first came to Egypt in 2003 as part of a Russian archaeological mission.
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| Photo © Xenia Nikolskaya-All Rights Reserved |
From afar, it seems Egypt and its people are still waiting to exhale since its popular uprising against the Mubarak regime, and 60 years of dictatorships...and whilst I try my best to counter the lay neo-cons and the agenda-driven commentators who write absurd comments about its current events and future in The New York Times by writing my own points of view (and they all get featured without fail), I fear the internal political situation in Egypt is murky, and will remain unsettled for the near future ...and that's an immense understatement.
So Xenia Nikolskaya's work on the UK's Daily Telegraph suffused me with mixed feelings. Dust is a good title for her photographs of buildings built after the Suez Canal opened in 1869, and before Nasser came to power in 1954, introducing sequestration decrees that would send many of the wealthy elite into exile.
The buildings, mansions, movie theaters, and retails stores that are depicted in Xenia's Dust have mostly fallen into disrepair. Due to long standing governmental rent-control policies, these once ornate and grandiose buildings were left to rot, with no repairs or maintenance done, as landlords weren't making money from them.
I recall the names of some of them....Radio Cinema ( I watched movies there, at a time when I was careful to count my change as the women at the ticket had the habit of "rounding" it in their favor), Sakakini Palace, Sarageldine Palace, while others are unknown to me.
Xenia Nikolskaya graduated from the Academy of Art in St Petersburg and then went on to study at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen. She has worked as a professional photographer since 1995, and became a member of the Russian Art Union in 2001. She first came to Egypt in 2003 as part of a Russian archaeological mission.
Brijesh Patel: McCluskieganj
To contact us Click HERE
Not too dissimilar from my previous post, here is another photo essay about disintegrating mansions and dwellings.
McCluskieganj was founded by the Colonisation Society of India in 1933 as a homeland for Anglo-Indians. In 1932 Ernest Timothy McCluskie, the founder of the town, invited some 200,000 Anglo-Indians in India to settle there. Of the nearly 250 original families, only 20 remain, as most of the Anglo-Indian community left after World War II, and the once spatial mansions are overgrown with jungle growth, and it's difficult to imagine that McCluskieganj was a paradise for mixed-race children of the British empire.
Brijesh Patel was born in Gujarat, and moved to the UK during his childhood. He enrolled at LCC for a Masters in photography, and awards from The Guardian, and the Winston Churchill Foundation supported his work in the UK and in India.
His McCluskieganj photo essay is one amongst many of his books that are hand made.
There are an estimated 80,000-125,000 Anglo-Indians living in India, most of whom are based in the large cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Mumbai and Tiruchirapalli. Some also live in Kochi, Goa, Pune, Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Lucknow, Agra, and in some towns of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Researching the subject, I chanced on this recent article in The Economist about Rita McDonald, an elderly Anglo-Indian who "...eats bacon and eggs for breakfast, speaks precise English and, though she has lived all her life in India, knows little Hindi or Bengali. Yet her home, hung with yellowing photographs of Queen Elizabeth and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, is thick with tales of poverty and loss."
Perhaps one of my photographer friends in Kolkata would be interested in taking this up? Imagine it as an audio slideshow!
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| Photo © Brijesh Patel-All Rights Reserved |
McCluskieganj was founded by the Colonisation Society of India in 1933 as a homeland for Anglo-Indians. In 1932 Ernest Timothy McCluskie, the founder of the town, invited some 200,000 Anglo-Indians in India to settle there. Of the nearly 250 original families, only 20 remain, as most of the Anglo-Indian community left after World War II, and the once spatial mansions are overgrown with jungle growth, and it's difficult to imagine that McCluskieganj was a paradise for mixed-race children of the British empire.
Brijesh Patel was born in Gujarat, and moved to the UK during his childhood. He enrolled at LCC for a Masters in photography, and awards from The Guardian, and the Winston Churchill Foundation supported his work in the UK and in India.
His McCluskieganj photo essay is one amongst many of his books that are hand made.
There are an estimated 80,000-125,000 Anglo-Indians living in India, most of whom are based in the large cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Mumbai and Tiruchirapalli. Some also live in Kochi, Goa, Pune, Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Lucknow, Agra, and in some towns of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Researching the subject, I chanced on this recent article in The Economist about Rita McDonald, an elderly Anglo-Indian who "...eats bacon and eggs for breakfast, speaks precise English and, though she has lived all her life in India, knows little Hindi or Bengali. Yet her home, hung with yellowing photographs of Queen Elizabeth and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, is thick with tales of poverty and loss."
Perhaps one of my photographer friends in Kolkata would be interested in taking this up? Imagine it as an audio slideshow!
WTF? Not Even A Plug?
To contact us Click HERE
A few days ago, and such a beautiful summer morning it was, I get an email from someone (a writer) who compliments me on my photographs, and asks if whether I'd be amenable to send one of them to illustrate a European blog (whose link was provided). It was implied there would be no payment for the photograph.
Before emailing back in a caustic tone (as I usually do to such emails), or ignoring the implied message and provide the contractual terms and pricing tariff for the photograph required, I checked into this European blog and saw it was beautifully crafted...a sort of a compendium for fine arts, culture, photography and other high brow stuff...and if statistics were correct, has a decent readership. And it was based (despite it being in English) in a country from which I have no clients for my photo expeditions-workshops.
So I swallowed hard, and replied to the request, in essence agreeing to provide a photograph on the condition that it was (1) properly credited to me, (2) that my two main websites and this blog would be highlighted, and (3) a paragraph about me and my photo expeditions-workshops (a paragraph that I would write up) be added at the bottom of the post.
Yes, I know...this is a lopsided exchange, more advantageous to the European blog than to me. It'd get a lovely image for nothing...but I reckoned this could've advertised my photo expeditions-workshops to a 'new' country, and to a well-heeled demographic/readership interested in arts and cultures. It would have been a one-off thing...and perhaps it would've paid off...or maybe not.
The response to my generosity? Something to the effect that it would only be a copyright notice...and nothing more.
Whoa! Isn't that the ultimate chutzpah?
So readers of this blog post...what should be my response? I have my four-lettered response ready to go....but if you like, make your suggestions on my Facebook page.
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| Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved |
A few days ago, and such a beautiful summer morning it was, I get an email from someone (a writer) who compliments me on my photographs, and asks if whether I'd be amenable to send one of them to illustrate a European blog (whose link was provided). It was implied there would be no payment for the photograph.
Before emailing back in a caustic tone (as I usually do to such emails), or ignoring the implied message and provide the contractual terms and pricing tariff for the photograph required, I checked into this European blog and saw it was beautifully crafted...a sort of a compendium for fine arts, culture, photography and other high brow stuff...and if statistics were correct, has a decent readership. And it was based (despite it being in English) in a country from which I have no clients for my photo expeditions-workshops.
So I swallowed hard, and replied to the request, in essence agreeing to provide a photograph on the condition that it was (1) properly credited to me, (2) that my two main websites and this blog would be highlighted, and (3) a paragraph about me and my photo expeditions-workshops (a paragraph that I would write up) be added at the bottom of the post.
Yes, I know...this is a lopsided exchange, more advantageous to the European blog than to me. It'd get a lovely image for nothing...but I reckoned this could've advertised my photo expeditions-workshops to a 'new' country, and to a well-heeled demographic/readership interested in arts and cultures. It would have been a one-off thing...and perhaps it would've paid off...or maybe not.
The response to my generosity? Something to the effect that it would only be a copyright notice...and nothing more.
Whoa! Isn't that the ultimate chutzpah?
So readers of this blog post...what should be my response? I have my four-lettered response ready to go....but if you like, make your suggestions on my Facebook page.
8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar
Undead Jazzfest Day 1 5/9/12
To contact us Click HERE
One great fest leads right into the next one. I got home Mon night and this one starts on Tues.
The Undead Jazzfest is definitely one of the highlights of the year. This first night included 27 bands in 3 venues very close to each other in the West Village for one low priced ticket. Coming off of jazzfest, I realize the venues at Undead and Winter jazzfests are super close. Walking around the Fairgrounds several times is quite a distance, for THE pinnacle of every year, NOLA jazzfest. FYI - whenever we say "jazzfest, we mean NOLA every other fest must have a descriptor to go with it.
I started the evening at LPR with Jamie Saft's New Zion Trio. I love them and can't get enough. I bought their CD and it is excellent. I highly recommend it.
http://vealrecords.com/newziontrio
New Zion Trio brings together three masters of Reggae and Jazz musics for the first time in a unique piano trio setting straight from Kingston Yard. New Zion Trio features Jamie Saft (piano/keyboards), Larry Grenadier (acoustic bass), and Craig Santiago (drums). New Zion Trio forges a fresh and new musical path that brings together Roots Reggae, Dub, Doom, and Jazz styles in an extra mellow acoustic setting. Burning Reggae and Dancehall beats provide the platform for complex original Jazz and Soul compositions.
I moved on to Kenny's for Greg Ward's Phonic Juggernaut with Joe Sanders and Damion Reid. This is a great band I probably wouldn't get to see otherwise.
http://soundcloud.com/thirsty-ear-recordings/sets/greg-wards-phonic-juggernaut
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=40636
http://jazztimes.com/articles/28844-greg-ward-s-phonic-juggernaut-greg-ward
Positive Catastrophe was excellent at Sullivan Hall. I couldn't tell you if everyone listed below was there that night or not.
Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet, co-leader); Abraham Gomez-Delgado (percussion, voice, co-leader); Kamala Sankaram (accordion, voice); Jen Shyu (voice, erhu); Mark Taylor (french horn); Reut Regev (trombone); Matt Bauder (tenor saxophone); Michael Attias (baritone saxophone); Pete Fitzpatrick (electric guitar); Alvaro Benavides (electric bass); Tomas Fujiwara (drums).
I saw just a little of The Refuseniks with John Hollenbeck, Ted Reichman and Reuben Radding. Apparently, that was their 1st gig in 9 years. They were phenomenal and I hope they enjoyed it enough to play again for us. Reuben had a smaller upright bass. It looked like a contrabass and it was definitely bigger than a cello. I recall seeing him and Shanir Blumenkranz play together one Improv Night at The Stone. They both had regular sized contrabasses that night.
After that it was nice to enjoy a little of the Chicago Underground Duo with Chad Taylor on drums and Rob Mazurek on cornet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Underground_Duo
Chicago Underground Duo is an avant-garde jazz duo consisting of cornetist Rob Mazurek and drummer/percussionist Chad Taylor. They formed in 1997, having both been members of Chicago Underground Orchestra. They have released numerous recordings on the Thrill Jockey label.
Dougie Bowne's Penninsula was excellent. Io mean, how could you go wrong with Chris Speed, Jamie Saft, Michael Leonhart and Hill Greene?
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/gallery.php?tag=dougie+bowne+peninsula
Still, I couldn't resist going to see a little of Stabbing Eastward with Ryan Sawyer and Tunde Adebimpe. I don't see enough of Ryan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3JlEhUcFWA
After that was a 7 minute film about Tonic. There was a lot of footage from the last days and I almost cried. I miss that place so much. The filmmaker plans to make an hour length documentary and if you have any video footage you can get in touch with Melissa.
Wow, they keep coming up with amazing ensembles I could never have dreamed of. Billy Martin Improv with Erik Friedlander, Marcus Rojas and Calvin Weston. Billy and Calvin took turns on the kit and percussion. It was such a great set. I love Erik.
I of course wanted to stay for Sexmob and the rest of the great bands, but I had to pace for the seek so I called it a night.
One great fest leads right into the next one. I got home Mon night and this one starts on Tues.
The Undead Jazzfest is definitely one of the highlights of the year. This first night included 27 bands in 3 venues very close to each other in the West Village for one low priced ticket. Coming off of jazzfest, I realize the venues at Undead and Winter jazzfests are super close. Walking around the Fairgrounds several times is quite a distance, for THE pinnacle of every year, NOLA jazzfest. FYI - whenever we say "jazzfest, we mean NOLA every other fest must have a descriptor to go with it.
I started the evening at LPR with Jamie Saft's New Zion Trio. I love them and can't get enough. I bought their CD and it is excellent. I highly recommend it.
http://vealrecords.com/newziontrio
New Zion Trio brings together three masters of Reggae and Jazz musics for the first time in a unique piano trio setting straight from Kingston Yard. New Zion Trio features Jamie Saft (piano/keyboards), Larry Grenadier (acoustic bass), and Craig Santiago (drums). New Zion Trio forges a fresh and new musical path that brings together Roots Reggae, Dub, Doom, and Jazz styles in an extra mellow acoustic setting. Burning Reggae and Dancehall beats provide the platform for complex original Jazz and Soul compositions.
I moved on to Kenny's for Greg Ward's Phonic Juggernaut with Joe Sanders and Damion Reid. This is a great band I probably wouldn't get to see otherwise.
http://soundcloud.com/thirsty-ear-recordings/sets/greg-wards-phonic-juggernaut
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=40636
http://jazztimes.com/articles/28844-greg-ward-s-phonic-juggernaut-greg-ward
Positive Catastrophe was excellent at Sullivan Hall. I couldn't tell you if everyone listed below was there that night or not.
Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet, co-leader); Abraham Gomez-Delgado (percussion, voice, co-leader); Kamala Sankaram (accordion, voice); Jen Shyu (voice, erhu); Mark Taylor (french horn); Reut Regev (trombone); Matt Bauder (tenor saxophone); Michael Attias (baritone saxophone); Pete Fitzpatrick (electric guitar); Alvaro Benavides (electric bass); Tomas Fujiwara (drums).
I saw just a little of The Refuseniks with John Hollenbeck, Ted Reichman and Reuben Radding. Apparently, that was their 1st gig in 9 years. They were phenomenal and I hope they enjoyed it enough to play again for us. Reuben had a smaller upright bass. It looked like a contrabass and it was definitely bigger than a cello. I recall seeing him and Shanir Blumenkranz play together one Improv Night at The Stone. They both had regular sized contrabasses that night.
After that it was nice to enjoy a little of the Chicago Underground Duo with Chad Taylor on drums and Rob Mazurek on cornet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Underground_Duo
Chicago Underground Duo is an avant-garde jazz duo consisting of cornetist Rob Mazurek and drummer/percussionist Chad Taylor. They formed in 1997, having both been members of Chicago Underground Orchestra. They have released numerous recordings on the Thrill Jockey label.
Dougie Bowne's Penninsula was excellent. Io mean, how could you go wrong with Chris Speed, Jamie Saft, Michael Leonhart and Hill Greene?
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/gallery.php?tag=dougie+bowne+peninsula
Still, I couldn't resist going to see a little of Stabbing Eastward with Ryan Sawyer and Tunde Adebimpe. I don't see enough of Ryan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3JlEhUcFWA
After that was a 7 minute film about Tonic. There was a lot of footage from the last days and I almost cried. I miss that place so much. The filmmaker plans to make an hour length documentary and if you have any video footage you can get in touch with Melissa.
Wow, they keep coming up with amazing ensembles I could never have dreamed of. Billy Martin Improv with Erik Friedlander, Marcus Rojas and Calvin Weston. Billy and Calvin took turns on the kit and percussion. It was such a great set. I love Erik.
I of course wanted to stay for Sexmob and the rest of the great bands, but I had to pace for the seek so I called it a night.
MMW&? @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple 5/10/12
To contact us Click HERE
It was a phenomenal idea. One set of MMW, then one set where there is a rotation of each member being substituted with a guest and a final set of MMW with various special guests. I did dream of having whole shows of 2 of them with a different 3rd and whole shows of duos between the 3 of them. Like. We have Mago for Martin & Medeski, it would be awesome to see a show of Wood and Martin and another one of Wood and Medeski.
Anyway, I hadn't been to Brooklyn Masonic yet and it took an effort to get to this unfamiliar territory. I missed the first set which was pure MMW. I heard it was about 40 minutes and great.
It's a wild drink setup there. First you wait in line to buy a drink ticket for beer, sangria, or water. Then you go over to the bar to get the drink and give a tip. The bar is like school auditorium bake sale tables. I don't drink beer so I got a sangria ticket. When I got to the bar I was told they were out of sangria. But, she had vodka and picked up a bag of Dole frozen fruit to show me she still had some fruit. So I had a vodka soda and fruit and I liked it.
They came on soon after with Anthony Coleman on keys instead of Medeski. That was probably the most stretched as far as improvised goes. I enjoyed it.
After about 10 min or so, Chris leaves, John comes back and Billy announces Oren Bloedow on bass. He also tells us Oren named them back when they were kicking around ideas "why don't you just call yourselves Medeski, Martin, and Wood?" It was an awesome 10 min or so of music.
Then Billy gets up to give his drumming brother, Calvin Weston some time to blow us away. He started on trumpet then moved to drums and ended back on trumpet.
Now we go around again with Marco Benevento on keys. This led us to the trippy portion of the evening. Really, with each combination it was a completely different band all evening long.
Marcus Rojas was listed, but ended up not being able to make it. They actually got another tuba player, Bob Stewart, to step in. I've seen Bob play before, so I already knew how impressive he is. This was the first time Billy and John met Bob. This part was longer, more like a miniset. It was awesome and the other more stretchy improv portion of the replacement portion of the evening.
Lastly for this portion, Adam Deitch came up and it got a little funky. This portion was also longer than others, although not as long as the Bob Stewart part.
Time for another setbreak, about 1/2 hour or longer.
There was one more great set in which various special guests joined MMW til the end. More special guests - not the same ones from before. It started with So Percussion, which meant 4 extra percussionists standing and playing by Billy.
Next was a super awesome portion with Vernon Reid on guitar. Just awesome. At some point during this awesomeness DJ Logic came out to join in on turntables. Vernon stays up for a while and eventually Charlie Burnham comes out for one of my favorite parts of the evening. Reid leaves at some point while all of this is going on.
After that, the guests left the stage and they put out a pedal steel guitar for Chuck Campbell. That was great.
For the final piece they were taking away the pedal steel and putting up a mic for Miho Hatori. It was about midnight and I decided to leave before she came onstage.
It was a phenomenal evening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okin6dWzm64
http://jazztimes.com/articles/30182-undead-music-festival-2012
http://www.sortmusic.com/rss/en/m/medeski-martin-and-wood/f20120511/C18C341AFA.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/12/arts/music/medeski-martin-wood-at-the-undead-music-festival.html?_r=1
It was a phenomenal idea. One set of MMW, then one set where there is a rotation of each member being substituted with a guest and a final set of MMW with various special guests. I did dream of having whole shows of 2 of them with a different 3rd and whole shows of duos between the 3 of them. Like. We have Mago for Martin & Medeski, it would be awesome to see a show of Wood and Martin and another one of Wood and Medeski.
Anyway, I hadn't been to Brooklyn Masonic yet and it took an effort to get to this unfamiliar territory. I missed the first set which was pure MMW. I heard it was about 40 minutes and great.
It's a wild drink setup there. First you wait in line to buy a drink ticket for beer, sangria, or water. Then you go over to the bar to get the drink and give a tip. The bar is like school auditorium bake sale tables. I don't drink beer so I got a sangria ticket. When I got to the bar I was told they were out of sangria. But, she had vodka and picked up a bag of Dole frozen fruit to show me she still had some fruit. So I had a vodka soda and fruit and I liked it.
They came on soon after with Anthony Coleman on keys instead of Medeski. That was probably the most stretched as far as improvised goes. I enjoyed it.
After about 10 min or so, Chris leaves, John comes back and Billy announces Oren Bloedow on bass. He also tells us Oren named them back when they were kicking around ideas "why don't you just call yourselves Medeski, Martin, and Wood?" It was an awesome 10 min or so of music.
Then Billy gets up to give his drumming brother, Calvin Weston some time to blow us away. He started on trumpet then moved to drums and ended back on trumpet.
Now we go around again with Marco Benevento on keys. This led us to the trippy portion of the evening. Really, with each combination it was a completely different band all evening long.
Marcus Rojas was listed, but ended up not being able to make it. They actually got another tuba player, Bob Stewart, to step in. I've seen Bob play before, so I already knew how impressive he is. This was the first time Billy and John met Bob. This part was longer, more like a miniset. It was awesome and the other more stretchy improv portion of the replacement portion of the evening.
Lastly for this portion, Adam Deitch came up and it got a little funky. This portion was also longer than others, although not as long as the Bob Stewart part.
Time for another setbreak, about 1/2 hour or longer.
There was one more great set in which various special guests joined MMW til the end. More special guests - not the same ones from before. It started with So Percussion, which meant 4 extra percussionists standing and playing by Billy.
Next was a super awesome portion with Vernon Reid on guitar. Just awesome. At some point during this awesomeness DJ Logic came out to join in on turntables. Vernon stays up for a while and eventually Charlie Burnham comes out for one of my favorite parts of the evening. Reid leaves at some point while all of this is going on.
After that, the guests left the stage and they put out a pedal steel guitar for Chuck Campbell. That was great.
For the final piece they were taking away the pedal steel and putting up a mic for Miho Hatori. It was about midnight and I decided to leave before she came onstage.
It was a phenomenal evening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okin6dWzm64
http://jazztimes.com/articles/30182-undead-music-festival-2012
http://www.sortmusic.com/rss/en/m/medeski-martin-and-wood/f20120511/C18C341AFA.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/12/arts/music/medeski-martin-wood-at-the-undead-music-festival.html?_r=1
Undead Jazzfest Night 4 Improvised Round Robins @ 92YTribeca 5/12/12
To contact us Click HERE
Adam says he's done a Round Robin show every year for this fest. This was my first time making it and it was really awesome. They select the musician order randomly either the day before or day of. #1, in this case the drummer Amir Ziv, comes out solo and after 5 min is joined by #2, john Ellis on tenor sax. After 5 min, Amir leaves and Matthew Motel comes out to join John on keys for 5 min. Matthew was the only one I had never seen before. After John left he was joined by Brandon Seabrook on banjo and guitar. Brandon was so interesting. He was playing the banjo with the bow a lot. He also got to play with Bob Stewart on tuba for 5. That was great. Bob then played with Jeff Lederer on tenor sax.
Jeff also got to play with the phenomenal Marika Hughes on cello. Then it was fun to see Marika play with Linda Oh on bass. Way cool to have just a cello and bass up there. Even cooler to have it be those two. Then, it gets even more interesting that the randomness now has 2 basses with Linda being joined by Mark Helias. Mark then got to play with Bill McHenry on tenor sax.
Next it was Bill with John Hollenbeck. After that, fate allowed us to get Mike Pride playing with John. I had a piece of paper with the lineup, so I had already been wondering how that was gonna go with only one kit on the stage. There was another cymbal hanging out. How it went was John had been using the glockenspiel on top of the snare when he played with Bill. When Mike Pride came out at first they were both playing the kit as John transitioned the glockenspeil to the floor. He actually had a lot of things to play on the floor and he had that standing cymbal in the back. I enjoyed the duo drummer piece a lot.
Mike then played with Loren Stillman on alto sax. Loren was then joined by Cooper-Moore who brought out his diddley bo and banjo. He played the diddley bo with Loren and the banjo with miles Okazaki on guitar. That was awesome.
Fabian Almazan came out to join Miles on piano. Then he was joined by Graham Haynes on trumpet. Graham got to finish it up with a solo, so he brought out a mic with some pedals.
It was an incredibly great festival. I missed Night 3, the DIY night. But, all 4 nights using the festival pass was only $55. That's just ridiculous.
http://www.feastofmusic.com/feast_of_music/2012/05/undead-music-festival-round-robin-improvisation-at-92ytribeca.html
Adam says he's done a Round Robin show every year for this fest. This was my first time making it and it was really awesome. They select the musician order randomly either the day before or day of. #1, in this case the drummer Amir Ziv, comes out solo and after 5 min is joined by #2, john Ellis on tenor sax. After 5 min, Amir leaves and Matthew Motel comes out to join John on keys for 5 min. Matthew was the only one I had never seen before. After John left he was joined by Brandon Seabrook on banjo and guitar. Brandon was so interesting. He was playing the banjo with the bow a lot. He also got to play with Bob Stewart on tuba for 5. That was great. Bob then played with Jeff Lederer on tenor sax.
Jeff also got to play with the phenomenal Marika Hughes on cello. Then it was fun to see Marika play with Linda Oh on bass. Way cool to have just a cello and bass up there. Even cooler to have it be those two. Then, it gets even more interesting that the randomness now has 2 basses with Linda being joined by Mark Helias. Mark then got to play with Bill McHenry on tenor sax.
Next it was Bill with John Hollenbeck. After that, fate allowed us to get Mike Pride playing with John. I had a piece of paper with the lineup, so I had already been wondering how that was gonna go with only one kit on the stage. There was another cymbal hanging out. How it went was John had been using the glockenspiel on top of the snare when he played with Bill. When Mike Pride came out at first they were both playing the kit as John transitioned the glockenspeil to the floor. He actually had a lot of things to play on the floor and he had that standing cymbal in the back. I enjoyed the duo drummer piece a lot.
Mike then played with Loren Stillman on alto sax. Loren was then joined by Cooper-Moore who brought out his diddley bo and banjo. He played the diddley bo with Loren and the banjo with miles Okazaki on guitar. That was awesome.
Fabian Almazan came out to join Miles on piano. Then he was joined by Graham Haynes on trumpet. Graham got to finish it up with a solo, so he brought out a mic with some pedals.
It was an incredibly great festival. I missed Night 3, the DIY night. But, all 4 nights using the festival pass was only $55. That's just ridiculous.
http://www.feastofmusic.com/feast_of_music/2012/05/undead-music-festival-round-robin-improvisation-at-92ytribeca.html
Eivind Opsvik's Overseas @ The Stone 6/14/12
To contact us Click HERE
I've seen this listed many times and finally made it. I will make more of an effort to see them again in the future. They were awesome. Kenny Wollensen was listed on the drums but it ended up being Dan Weiss. He was awesome. All the music was phenomenal. I loved how they all sounded together. All solos were fantastic. I meant to pick up a CD and forgot. I will have get over to DMG to pick one up.
Overseas Kenny Wollesen (drums) Brandon Seabrook (guitar) Eivind Opsvik (bass) Tony Malaby (sax) Jacob Sacks (piano, organ)
I've seen this listed many times and finally made it. I will make more of an effort to see them again in the future. They were awesome. Kenny Wollensen was listed on the drums but it ended up being Dan Weiss. He was awesome. All the music was phenomenal. I loved how they all sounded together. All solos were fantastic. I meant to pick up a CD and forgot. I will have get over to DMG to pick one up.
Overseas Kenny Wollesen (drums) Brandon Seabrook (guitar) Eivind Opsvik (bass) Tony Malaby (sax) Jacob Sacks (piano, organ)
Paquito d'Rivera @ Dizzy's 6/17/12
To contact us Click HERE
I try to take the opportunity to see these mainstream jazz greats when they play a club, especially when it's not Blue Note. I also like getting to Dizzy's every now and then. This was an excellent move on my part - it was awesome. The compositions were reinterpreted classical works gone jazz. Stellar arrangements. They did Chopin, Mozart, Beethovan, and Bach - the jazz way. Paquito told us how he always heard a Blues in the 2nd Movement of a Mozart piece and he and Wynton Marsalis decided that Mozart was actually from New Orleans and not Salzburg. Later, he told us Beethovan was actually from Machu Pichu, Peru and then of course we got a super Latin number.
The band was phenomenal. The piano really stood out. The drummer also had timbales. There was also a percussionist with Congas and either little congas or bongos, I'm not quite sure.
I loved it!
The listing:
Paquito D'Rivera: Boleros de Chopin
w/Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, and Arturo Sable
Arguably no living musician embodies the spirit of our club's namesake than D'Rivera. Whether it's his humor, incredible musicianship, an unwavering devotion to knocking down musical borders in the name of be-bop or his recognition as a leading international ambassador of jazz, Dizzy Gillespie is his main influence. For this performance, he gives a very lyrical and explosive Latin jazz mix of boleros, Chopin, bebop, Mozart, rumbas, and Bach. Paquito D'Rivera, alto saxophone, clarinet; Diego Urcola, trumpet; valve trombone; Alex Brown, piano; Oscar Stagnaro, bass; Mark Walker, drums; Arturo Sable, percussion
This is from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQf5MeO5fOc
I try to take the opportunity to see these mainstream jazz greats when they play a club, especially when it's not Blue Note. I also like getting to Dizzy's every now and then. This was an excellent move on my part - it was awesome. The compositions were reinterpreted classical works gone jazz. Stellar arrangements. They did Chopin, Mozart, Beethovan, and Bach - the jazz way. Paquito told us how he always heard a Blues in the 2nd Movement of a Mozart piece and he and Wynton Marsalis decided that Mozart was actually from New Orleans and not Salzburg. Later, he told us Beethovan was actually from Machu Pichu, Peru and then of course we got a super Latin number.
The band was phenomenal. The piano really stood out. The drummer also had timbales. There was also a percussionist with Congas and either little congas or bongos, I'm not quite sure.
I loved it!
The listing:
Paquito D'Rivera: Boleros de Chopin
w/Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, and Arturo Sable
Arguably no living musician embodies the spirit of our club's namesake than D'Rivera. Whether it's his humor, incredible musicianship, an unwavering devotion to knocking down musical borders in the name of be-bop or his recognition as a leading international ambassador of jazz, Dizzy Gillespie is his main influence. For this performance, he gives a very lyrical and explosive Latin jazz mix of boleros, Chopin, bebop, Mozart, rumbas, and Bach. Paquito D'Rivera, alto saxophone, clarinet; Diego Urcola, trumpet; valve trombone; Alex Brown, piano; Oscar Stagnaro, bass; Mark Walker, drums; Arturo Sable, percussion
This is from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQf5MeO5fOc
7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi
Ches Smith/Matana Roberts @ The Stone 5/15/12
To contact us Click HERE
I've seen them play as a duo before and it is fantastic. I mean, I would go to see either of them in anything they do, so of course it was excellent. I enjoyed it immensely. Matana originally double booked and was supposed to fly to Montreal to rehearse for he upcoming gig at the Victoriaville fest later that week. I'm so glad she rearranged things because she felt she didn't play Home enough. Thanks Matana!
Matana Roberts and Ches Smith Matana Roberts (sax) Ches Smith (drums)
I've seen them play as a duo before and it is fantastic. I mean, I would go to see either of them in anything they do, so of course it was excellent. I enjoyed it immensely. Matana originally double booked and was supposed to fly to Montreal to rehearse for he upcoming gig at the Victoriaville fest later that week. I'm so glad she rearranged things because she felt she didn't play Home enough. Thanks Matana!
Matana Roberts and Ches Smith Matana Roberts (sax) Ches Smith (drums)
Dred Scott Trio @ Interstate 5/15/12
To contact us Click HERE
It was only a matter of time before I was finally able to see them. Dred Scott was curating Tues nights at this nice little bar. The owner wants to get a Tues Night Jazz Night thing going on on that block on Orchard. I had noticed a trombone trio playing at another place on the corner on my way. I love this idea. Will Bernard was playing the following week. I took so long to put this up, that I'm not sure if it is still going on. I hope so.
The Trio was playing up front by the bar. Dred had a little keyboard sitting on a table top with a powerful sound. I loved the bass. The drums were awesome. They had a special guest, MC Extra Cheese. He had fun rap lyrics.
I found out about this show from the gigometer list. I met Pierre, the compiler at this show. It's a great list in that he's got a lot on there I don't see on other lists. Check it out.
This is the cool bar:
http://www.boweryboogie.com/2011/08/interstate-food-liquor-opening-at-74-orchard/
Dred Scott Trio:
Dred Scott, piano
Ben Rubin, bass
Tony Mason, drums
It was only a matter of time before I was finally able to see them. Dred Scott was curating Tues nights at this nice little bar. The owner wants to get a Tues Night Jazz Night thing going on on that block on Orchard. I had noticed a trombone trio playing at another place on the corner on my way. I love this idea. Will Bernard was playing the following week. I took so long to put this up, that I'm not sure if it is still going on. I hope so.
The Trio was playing up front by the bar. Dred had a little keyboard sitting on a table top with a powerful sound. I loved the bass. The drums were awesome. They had a special guest, MC Extra Cheese. He had fun rap lyrics.
I found out about this show from the gigometer list. I met Pierre, the compiler at this show. It's a great list in that he's got a lot on there I don't see on other lists. Check it out.
This is the cool bar:
http://www.boweryboogie.com/2011/08/interstate-food-liquor-opening-at-74-orchard/
Dred Scott Trio:
Dred Scott, piano
Ben Rubin, bass
Tony Mason, drums
Fernando Otero Sextet @ Jazz Standard 5/16/12
To contact us Click HERE
This was tango revisited. Tango, Latin, Jazz, Classical influenced music. Piano, bandoneon, upright bass, cello and drums. It got a little out there but not crazy. I loved hearing the different sounds from the instruments. The last piece had a very cool bandoneon solo where I really got to see the variety of sounds it is capable of.
FERNANDO OTERO SEXTET - NEW DIMENSIONS IN LATIN JAZZ
Fernando Otero – piano & compositions
JP Jofre – bandoneon
Nick Danielson – violin
Adam Fischer – cello
Pablo Aslan – bass
David Silliman – drums
Fernando Otero, who makes his Jazz Standard debut tonight as part of the “New Dimensions in Latin Jazz Series,” was deep into classical piano studies in his native Buenos Aires when he began to develop a unique and provocative style he called “X Tango.” Acclaimed albums like Pagina de Buenos Aires (2007) and the Latin Grammy Award–winning Vital (2010) combined the improvisatory thrill of jazz with a contemporary classical structure in compositions that were often fast–paced and intense, full of dramatic stops and starts. Reviewing Fernando Otero’s performance at New York’s Symphony Space in February 2012, Steve Smith wrote in The New York Times: “Mr. Otero’s writing vibrantly summoned tango ancestors while also acknowledging Bartok and Prokofiev. His brilliant playing bore traces of jazz pianists like Bill Evans and Don Pullen. The resulting synthesis proposed bold new directions for a venerable tradition.”
This was tango revisited. Tango, Latin, Jazz, Classical influenced music. Piano, bandoneon, upright bass, cello and drums. It got a little out there but not crazy. I loved hearing the different sounds from the instruments. The last piece had a very cool bandoneon solo where I really got to see the variety of sounds it is capable of.
FERNANDO OTERO SEXTET - NEW DIMENSIONS IN LATIN JAZZ
Fernando Otero – piano & compositions
JP Jofre – bandoneon
Nick Danielson – violin
Adam Fischer – cello
Pablo Aslan – bass
David Silliman – drums
Fernando Otero, who makes his Jazz Standard debut tonight as part of the “New Dimensions in Latin Jazz Series,” was deep into classical piano studies in his native Buenos Aires when he began to develop a unique and provocative style he called “X Tango.” Acclaimed albums like Pagina de Buenos Aires (2007) and the Latin Grammy Award–winning Vital (2010) combined the improvisatory thrill of jazz with a contemporary classical structure in compositions that were often fast–paced and intense, full of dramatic stops and starts. Reviewing Fernando Otero’s performance at New York’s Symphony Space in February 2012, Steve Smith wrote in The New York Times: “Mr. Otero’s writing vibrantly summoned tango ancestors while also acknowledging Bartok and Prokofiev. His brilliant playing bore traces of jazz pianists like Bill Evans and Don Pullen. The resulting synthesis proposed bold new directions for a venerable tradition.”
Eivind Opsvik's Overseas @ The Stone 6/14/12
To contact us Click HERE
I've seen this listed many times and finally made it. I will make more of an effort to see them again in the future. They were awesome. Kenny Wollensen was listed on the drums but it ended up being Dan Weiss. He was awesome. All the music was phenomenal. I loved how they all sounded together. All solos were fantastic. I meant to pick up a CD and forgot. I will have get over to DMG to pick one up.
Overseas Kenny Wollesen (drums) Brandon Seabrook (guitar) Eivind Opsvik (bass) Tony Malaby (sax) Jacob Sacks (piano, organ)
I've seen this listed many times and finally made it. I will make more of an effort to see them again in the future. They were awesome. Kenny Wollensen was listed on the drums but it ended up being Dan Weiss. He was awesome. All the music was phenomenal. I loved how they all sounded together. All solos were fantastic. I meant to pick up a CD and forgot. I will have get over to DMG to pick one up.
Overseas Kenny Wollesen (drums) Brandon Seabrook (guitar) Eivind Opsvik (bass) Tony Malaby (sax) Jacob Sacks (piano, organ)
Paquito d'Rivera @ Dizzy's 6/17/12
To contact us Click HERE
I try to take the opportunity to see these mainstream jazz greats when they play a club, especially when it's not Blue Note. I also like getting to Dizzy's every now and then. This was an excellent move on my part - it was awesome. The compositions were reinterpreted classical works gone jazz. Stellar arrangements. They did Chopin, Mozart, Beethovan, and Bach - the jazz way. Paquito told us how he always heard a Blues in the 2nd Movement of a Mozart piece and he and Wynton Marsalis decided that Mozart was actually from New Orleans and not Salzburg. Later, he told us Beethovan was actually from Machu Pichu, Peru and then of course we got a super Latin number.
The band was phenomenal. The piano really stood out. The drummer also had timbales. There was also a percussionist with Congas and either little congas or bongos, I'm not quite sure.
I loved it!
The listing:
Paquito D'Rivera: Boleros de Chopin
w/Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, and Arturo Sable
Arguably no living musician embodies the spirit of our club's namesake than D'Rivera. Whether it's his humor, incredible musicianship, an unwavering devotion to knocking down musical borders in the name of be-bop or his recognition as a leading international ambassador of jazz, Dizzy Gillespie is his main influence. For this performance, he gives a very lyrical and explosive Latin jazz mix of boleros, Chopin, bebop, Mozart, rumbas, and Bach. Paquito D'Rivera, alto saxophone, clarinet; Diego Urcola, trumpet; valve trombone; Alex Brown, piano; Oscar Stagnaro, bass; Mark Walker, drums; Arturo Sable, percussion
This is from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQf5MeO5fOc
I try to take the opportunity to see these mainstream jazz greats when they play a club, especially when it's not Blue Note. I also like getting to Dizzy's every now and then. This was an excellent move on my part - it was awesome. The compositions were reinterpreted classical works gone jazz. Stellar arrangements. They did Chopin, Mozart, Beethovan, and Bach - the jazz way. Paquito told us how he always heard a Blues in the 2nd Movement of a Mozart piece and he and Wynton Marsalis decided that Mozart was actually from New Orleans and not Salzburg. Later, he told us Beethovan was actually from Machu Pichu, Peru and then of course we got a super Latin number.
The band was phenomenal. The piano really stood out. The drummer also had timbales. There was also a percussionist with Congas and either little congas or bongos, I'm not quite sure.
I loved it!
The listing:
Paquito D'Rivera: Boleros de Chopin
w/Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, and Arturo Sable
Arguably no living musician embodies the spirit of our club's namesake than D'Rivera. Whether it's his humor, incredible musicianship, an unwavering devotion to knocking down musical borders in the name of be-bop or his recognition as a leading international ambassador of jazz, Dizzy Gillespie is his main influence. For this performance, he gives a very lyrical and explosive Latin jazz mix of boleros, Chopin, bebop, Mozart, rumbas, and Bach. Paquito D'Rivera, alto saxophone, clarinet; Diego Urcola, trumpet; valve trombone; Alex Brown, piano; Oscar Stagnaro, bass; Mark Walker, drums; Arturo Sable, percussion
This is from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQf5MeO5fOc
5 Temmuz 2012 Perşembe
Kalabalik @ LPR 5/25/12
To contact us Click HERE
It was Downtown Music Gallery (DMG) 21st anniversary celebration. It was also a CD release for this 2 guitar and drums trio. Apparantly, DMG has a record label and this is one of theirs. Since I enjoyed the band so much and I love supporting DMG, I had to get the CD. Before I bought it and after the phenomenal set.
The set was fabulous, and definitely got out there with some great avant-rock portions.
Search & Restore presents:
Downtown Music Gallery's 21st Anniversary Show
w/ Nels Cline & Julian Lage (First appearance as a duo!) , Kalabalik feat. Raoul Björkenheim, Anders Nilsson, and Gerald Cleaver and CD Release Party for Kalabalik's debut CD on DMG/ARC Records
Kalabalik feat. Raoul Björkenheim, Anders Nilsson, and Gerald Cleaver
Kalabalik is RAOUL BJORKENHEIM guitar, ANDERS NILSSON guitar, and GERALD CLEAVER drums. Originally united for a live recording at DMG's Chinatown store in 2011, this trio has formed a rewarding creative bond. This is their 2nd NYC performance.
The incendiary Mr Bjorkenheim, leader of such units as Scorch Trio and Krakatau, has a three decade career of performance internationally, including with Edward Vesala, Bill Laswell, Paul Schutze, and UMO Jazz Orchestra, and over 50 recordings (ECM, Rune Grammafon, Cuneiform, et al).
Master drummer Gerald Cleaver, with over 100 releases under his belt, has performed with legends like Roscoe Mitchell and Henry Threadgill, and leads the groups Farmers By Nature, Uncle June, Detroit, and Veil Of Names with jazz luminaries Craig Taborn, Mat Maneri, Tony Malaby, Ben Monder, Andrew Bishop, et al.
Anders Nilsson, like Raoul also raised in Finland, is the leader of the Aorta Ensemble and Fulminate Trio, and a favorite collaborator of jazz vocalist Fay Victor. He is the youngest member of this outfit by a hair, but this has not impeded his collaboration with an astonishing number of international musicians, including Mats Gustafsson, Paquito D'Rivera, Michael Formanek, Hamid Drake, et al. His chameleonesque guitar prowess has appeared on over 30 recordings in the last 10 years.
It was Downtown Music Gallery (DMG) 21st anniversary celebration. It was also a CD release for this 2 guitar and drums trio. Apparantly, DMG has a record label and this is one of theirs. Since I enjoyed the band so much and I love supporting DMG, I had to get the CD. Before I bought it and after the phenomenal set.
The set was fabulous, and definitely got out there with some great avant-rock portions.
Search & Restore presents:
Downtown Music Gallery's 21st Anniversary Show
w/ Nels Cline & Julian Lage (First appearance as a duo!) , Kalabalik feat. Raoul Björkenheim, Anders Nilsson, and Gerald Cleaver and CD Release Party for Kalabalik's debut CD on DMG/ARC Records
Kalabalik feat. Raoul Björkenheim, Anders Nilsson, and Gerald Cleaver
Kalabalik is RAOUL BJORKENHEIM guitar, ANDERS NILSSON guitar, and GERALD CLEAVER drums. Originally united for a live recording at DMG's Chinatown store in 2011, this trio has formed a rewarding creative bond. This is their 2nd NYC performance.
The incendiary Mr Bjorkenheim, leader of such units as Scorch Trio and Krakatau, has a three decade career of performance internationally, including with Edward Vesala, Bill Laswell, Paul Schutze, and UMO Jazz Orchestra, and over 50 recordings (ECM, Rune Grammafon, Cuneiform, et al).
Master drummer Gerald Cleaver, with over 100 releases under his belt, has performed with legends like Roscoe Mitchell and Henry Threadgill, and leads the groups Farmers By Nature, Uncle June, Detroit, and Veil Of Names with jazz luminaries Craig Taborn, Mat Maneri, Tony Malaby, Ben Monder, Andrew Bishop, et al.
Anders Nilsson, like Raoul also raised in Finland, is the leader of the Aorta Ensemble and Fulminate Trio, and a favorite collaborator of jazz vocalist Fay Victor. He is the youngest member of this outfit by a hair, but this has not impeded his collaboration with an astonishing number of international musicians, including Mats Gustafsson, Paquito D'Rivera, Michael Formanek, Hamid Drake, et al. His chameleonesque guitar prowess has appeared on over 30 recordings in the last 10 years.
Nels Cline/Julian Lage Duo @ LPR 5/25/12
To contact us Click HERE
Nels independantly chose Julian to do this gig with him - before he knew the 1st band was 2 guitars and a drummer. I liked having 2 guitars follow 2 guitars and a drummer. This was their first gig but they had some material ready. They intend to record at some point, I think on DMG's label.
It was excellent. They each had 2 guitars and I still don't know enough about guitars to say how they were different. The music was beautiful. It stuck with me for a while.
Search & Restore presents:
Downtown Music Gallery's 21st Anniversary Show
w/ Nels Cline & Julian Lage (First appearance as a duo!) , Kalabalik feat. Raoul Björkenheim, Anders Nilsson, and Gerald Cleaver and CD Release Party for Kalabalik's debut CD on DMG/ARC Records
http://jazztimes.com/articles/30247-kalabalik-nels-cline-julian-lage-le-poisson-rouge-may-25-2012
Nels Cline & Julian Lage (First appearance as a duo!)
Guitar master-explorer NELS CLINE should need no introduction, having held the guitar seat in WILCO for many years. His recording and performing career - spanning jazz, rock, punk, and experimental - is well into its fourth decade, with over 130 recordings, including at least 30 for which he is leader. Besides Wilco, he has played or performed with Tim Berne, Vinny Golia, Scott Amendola, Lydia Lunch, Thurston Moore.. the list is endless!
This is Cline's first duo performance with seasoned guitar great JULIAN LAGE, who has played with Gary Burton, Jim Hall, Fred Hersch, Scott Colley and Joey Baron! This looks to be the beginning of a serious ongoing musical relationship.
Nels independantly chose Julian to do this gig with him - before he knew the 1st band was 2 guitars and a drummer. I liked having 2 guitars follow 2 guitars and a drummer. This was their first gig but they had some material ready. They intend to record at some point, I think on DMG's label.
It was excellent. They each had 2 guitars and I still don't know enough about guitars to say how they were different. The music was beautiful. It stuck with me for a while.
Search & Restore presents:
Downtown Music Gallery's 21st Anniversary Show
w/ Nels Cline & Julian Lage (First appearance as a duo!) , Kalabalik feat. Raoul Björkenheim, Anders Nilsson, and Gerald Cleaver and CD Release Party for Kalabalik's debut CD on DMG/ARC Records
http://jazztimes.com/articles/30247-kalabalik-nels-cline-julian-lage-le-poisson-rouge-may-25-2012
Nels Cline & Julian Lage (First appearance as a duo!)
Guitar master-explorer NELS CLINE should need no introduction, having held the guitar seat in WILCO for many years. His recording and performing career - spanning jazz, rock, punk, and experimental - is well into its fourth decade, with over 130 recordings, including at least 30 for which he is leader. Besides Wilco, he has played or performed with Tim Berne, Vinny Golia, Scott Amendola, Lydia Lunch, Thurston Moore.. the list is endless!
This is Cline's first duo performance with seasoned guitar great JULIAN LAGE, who has played with Gary Burton, Jim Hall, Fred Hersch, Scott Colley and Joey Baron! This looks to be the beginning of a serious ongoing musical relationship.
David Kikoski Trio @ Jazz Standard 5/29/12
To contact us Click HERE
It was straight ahead excellency. David is amazing. He was fun to watch because he was so into it. The bass and drums were awesome as well. The drummer really had me going especially the last tune. He was doing some kind of crisscross thing with his sticks on the drumheads that had an African rhythm and was amazing.
I was really tired and I considered not going. The music woke me up and I completely forgot I was tired.
Great set!
David Kikoski – piano
Ed Howard – bass
Al Foster – drums
In the performance of jazz music today, “you have to study and know the traditions, but then you have to play things that haven’t been played before,” says David Kikoski. “It becomes a balance of knowing the tradition and using your own original voice to add to it.” David has maintained that delicate balance of tradition and innovation throughout his career. He’s enlivened dozens of recording dates as a first–call sideman for jazz greats ranging from Red Rodney to Roy Haynes, and carefully built his reputation as a leader with such fine albums as Mostly Standards (2009) and Live At Smalls (2010). A regular with the Mingus Big Band, David Kikoski returns to our stage this week with his own superb trio featuring bassist Ed Howard and the great Al Foster on drums. “A chopsy, hard–hitting player who has excelled for decades in elite, virtuosic company…Kikoski surges and slaloms through the tunes, seemingly guided at times by those post–bop pole stars Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner.” (Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen)
It was straight ahead excellency. David is amazing. He was fun to watch because he was so into it. The bass and drums were awesome as well. The drummer really had me going especially the last tune. He was doing some kind of crisscross thing with his sticks on the drumheads that had an African rhythm and was amazing.
I was really tired and I considered not going. The music woke me up and I completely forgot I was tired.
Great set!
David Kikoski – piano
Ed Howard – bass
Al Foster – drums
In the performance of jazz music today, “you have to study and know the traditions, but then you have to play things that haven’t been played before,” says David Kikoski. “It becomes a balance of knowing the tradition and using your own original voice to add to it.” David has maintained that delicate balance of tradition and innovation throughout his career. He’s enlivened dozens of recording dates as a first–call sideman for jazz greats ranging from Red Rodney to Roy Haynes, and carefully built his reputation as a leader with such fine albums as Mostly Standards (2009) and Live At Smalls (2010). A regular with the Mingus Big Band, David Kikoski returns to our stage this week with his own superb trio featuring bassist Ed Howard and the great Al Foster on drums. “A chopsy, hard–hitting player who has excelled for decades in elite, virtuosic company…Kikoski surges and slaloms through the tunes, seemingly guided at times by those post–bop pole stars Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner.” (Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen)
Eivind Opsvik's Overseas @ The Stone 6/14/12
To contact us Click HERE
I've seen this listed many times and finally made it. I will make more of an effort to see them again in the future. They were awesome. Kenny Wollensen was listed on the drums but it ended up being Dan Weiss. He was awesome. All the music was phenomenal. I loved how they all sounded together. All solos were fantastic. I meant to pick up a CD and forgot. I will have get over to DMG to pick one up.
Overseas Kenny Wollesen (drums) Brandon Seabrook (guitar) Eivind Opsvik (bass) Tony Malaby (sax) Jacob Sacks (piano, organ)
I've seen this listed many times and finally made it. I will make more of an effort to see them again in the future. They were awesome. Kenny Wollensen was listed on the drums but it ended up being Dan Weiss. He was awesome. All the music was phenomenal. I loved how they all sounded together. All solos were fantastic. I meant to pick up a CD and forgot. I will have get over to DMG to pick one up.
Overseas Kenny Wollesen (drums) Brandon Seabrook (guitar) Eivind Opsvik (bass) Tony Malaby (sax) Jacob Sacks (piano, organ)
Paquito d'Rivera @ Dizzy's 6/17/12
To contact us Click HERE
I try to take the opportunity to see these mainstream jazz greats when they play a club, especially when it's not Blue Note. I also like getting to Dizzy's every now and then. This was an excellent move on my part - it was awesome. The compositions were reinterpreted classical works gone jazz. Stellar arrangements. They did Chopin, Mozart, Beethovan, and Bach - the jazz way. Paquito told us how he always heard a Blues in the 2nd Movement of a Mozart piece and he and Wynton Marsalis decided that Mozart was actually from New Orleans and not Salzburg. Later, he told us Beethovan was actually from Machu Pichu, Peru and then of course we got a super Latin number.
The band was phenomenal. The piano really stood out. The drummer also had timbales. There was also a percussionist with Congas and either little congas or bongos, I'm not quite sure.
I loved it!
The listing:
Paquito D'Rivera: Boleros de Chopin
w/Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, and Arturo Sable
Arguably no living musician embodies the spirit of our club's namesake than D'Rivera. Whether it's his humor, incredible musicianship, an unwavering devotion to knocking down musical borders in the name of be-bop or his recognition as a leading international ambassador of jazz, Dizzy Gillespie is his main influence. For this performance, he gives a very lyrical and explosive Latin jazz mix of boleros, Chopin, bebop, Mozart, rumbas, and Bach. Paquito D'Rivera, alto saxophone, clarinet; Diego Urcola, trumpet; valve trombone; Alex Brown, piano; Oscar Stagnaro, bass; Mark Walker, drums; Arturo Sable, percussion
This is from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQf5MeO5fOc
I try to take the opportunity to see these mainstream jazz greats when they play a club, especially when it's not Blue Note. I also like getting to Dizzy's every now and then. This was an excellent move on my part - it was awesome. The compositions were reinterpreted classical works gone jazz. Stellar arrangements. They did Chopin, Mozart, Beethovan, and Bach - the jazz way. Paquito told us how he always heard a Blues in the 2nd Movement of a Mozart piece and he and Wynton Marsalis decided that Mozart was actually from New Orleans and not Salzburg. Later, he told us Beethovan was actually from Machu Pichu, Peru and then of course we got a super Latin number.
The band was phenomenal. The piano really stood out. The drummer also had timbales. There was also a percussionist with Congas and either little congas or bongos, I'm not quite sure.
I loved it!
The listing:
Paquito D'Rivera: Boleros de Chopin
w/Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, and Arturo Sable
Arguably no living musician embodies the spirit of our club's namesake than D'Rivera. Whether it's his humor, incredible musicianship, an unwavering devotion to knocking down musical borders in the name of be-bop or his recognition as a leading international ambassador of jazz, Dizzy Gillespie is his main influence. For this performance, he gives a very lyrical and explosive Latin jazz mix of boleros, Chopin, bebop, Mozart, rumbas, and Bach. Paquito D'Rivera, alto saxophone, clarinet; Diego Urcola, trumpet; valve trombone; Alex Brown, piano; Oscar Stagnaro, bass; Mark Walker, drums; Arturo Sable, percussion
This is from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQf5MeO5fOc
4 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ Brooklyn Bowl 6/8/12
To contact us Click HERE
After I kept having to stop and dance while walking by the Acura Stage at Jazzfest I figured it was time to give them another shot in NYC. I used to love seeing them at Wetlands. I also expected a guitar and that sax from New Orleans Suspects. I know Jamie McClean has been gone for a while but I thought they had another guitar player.
Needless to say, there was no guitar and a different alto and piano. Sure, Kirk Joseph, Terence Higgins and Roger Lewis were all there and they played well. But, I wanted what blew me away at jazzfest.
I got there at around 9:15ish and they took a setbreak at around 10:20/10:30ish. Sometime during the 2nd set, things took a turn. They started getting funkier, it was more compelling to dance, "get up get on up ...". They weren't doing James Brown, they were doing something better! The lights went down and it got phenomenal. THIS is the song I saw them doing at jazzfest. It was an awesome long song and then they went back to same old same old. I don't know where they got that from, but I would love it if they could get more of it. It reminded me a lot of my favorite parts of Soul Rebels.
After I kept having to stop and dance while walking by the Acura Stage at Jazzfest I figured it was time to give them another shot in NYC. I used to love seeing them at Wetlands. I also expected a guitar and that sax from New Orleans Suspects. I know Jamie McClean has been gone for a while but I thought they had another guitar player.
Needless to say, there was no guitar and a different alto and piano. Sure, Kirk Joseph, Terence Higgins and Roger Lewis were all there and they played well. But, I wanted what blew me away at jazzfest.
I got there at around 9:15ish and they took a setbreak at around 10:20/10:30ish. Sometime during the 2nd set, things took a turn. They started getting funkier, it was more compelling to dance, "get up get on up ...". They weren't doing James Brown, they were doing something better! The lights went down and it got phenomenal. THIS is the song I saw them doing at jazzfest. It was an awesome long song and then they went back to same old same old. I don't know where they got that from, but I would love it if they could get more of it. It reminded me a lot of my favorite parts of Soul Rebels.
Lakecia Benjamin @ LPR 6/12/12
To contact us Click HERE
I finally realized I can schedule appointments at 11am and take the morning off and then go out later the night before. This show was the night before the dentist and I was looking forward to getting down. I saw her band briefly at Winter Jazzfest and I knew then I wanted to see a whole show sometime. This seemed like their extra special show because there were multiple singers and special guests. They did a change up with the bass players sometime in the middle. They were both great - the 2nd one was even more my style.
I loved the funky stuff, even though there weren't many dancers. They took it down a bit too often for my taste, though. At 12:15 they did the slowest song of the night. Even though I knew they'd leave us funked up, I took it as a lullabye and made my exit.
For the high energy stuff they were a lot of fun. They had a lot of steps the front line would do together and it got me dancing harder. I don't know if I will ever get used to people staying seated just because there are seats.
Lakecia Benjamin- Release party of debut album "Retox"Charismatic and dynamic saxophonist/bandleader Lakecia Benjamin, who has played with Stevie Wonder, Prince, Alicia Keys, The Roots and Macy Gray, will take center stage in her own right with the June 12 release of her unconventional soul/funk album, RETOX, on Motéma Music. The album will be released in Europe in the fall, and will be followed by a tour across Europe.
http://www.lakeciabenjamin.com/
Lakecia Benjamin & Soul Squad
I finally realized I can schedule appointments at 11am and take the morning off and then go out later the night before. This show was the night before the dentist and I was looking forward to getting down. I saw her band briefly at Winter Jazzfest and I knew then I wanted to see a whole show sometime. This seemed like their extra special show because there were multiple singers and special guests. They did a change up with the bass players sometime in the middle. They were both great - the 2nd one was even more my style.
I loved the funky stuff, even though there weren't many dancers. They took it down a bit too often for my taste, though. At 12:15 they did the slowest song of the night. Even though I knew they'd leave us funked up, I took it as a lullabye and made my exit.
For the high energy stuff they were a lot of fun. They had a lot of steps the front line would do together and it got me dancing harder. I don't know if I will ever get used to people staying seated just because there are seats.
Lakecia Benjamin- Release party of debut album "Retox"Charismatic and dynamic saxophonist/bandleader Lakecia Benjamin, who has played with Stevie Wonder, Prince, Alicia Keys, The Roots and Macy Gray, will take center stage in her own right with the June 12 release of her unconventional soul/funk album, RETOX, on Motéma Music. The album will be released in Europe in the fall, and will be followed by a tour across Europe.
http://www.lakeciabenjamin.com/
Lakecia Benjamin & Soul Squad
| GUEST VOCALISTS: |
| Jean Baylor (of Zhane) |
| Maya Azucena |
| Tracey Nicole |
| Vickie Natalie |
| Collette |
| Raydar Ellis |
| THE SOUL SQUAD LINEUP: | |
| Chris Rob | Keys |
| Brian Cockerham | Bass |
| Joe Blaxx | Drums |
| Jamiel Cornielo | Guitar |
| Brandee Younger | Harp |
| Jonathon Powell | Trumpet |
| Nick Roseboro | Trumpet |
| Jonathon Arons | Guest Trombone |
Eivind Opsvik's Overseas @ The Stone 6/14/12
To contact us Click HERE
I've seen this listed many times and finally made it. I will make more of an effort to see them again in the future. They were awesome. Kenny Wollensen was listed on the drums but it ended up being Dan Weiss. He was awesome. All the music was phenomenal. I loved how they all sounded together. All solos were fantastic. I meant to pick up a CD and forgot. I will have get over to DMG to pick one up.
Overseas Kenny Wollesen (drums) Brandon Seabrook (guitar) Eivind Opsvik (bass) Tony Malaby (sax) Jacob Sacks (piano, organ)
I've seen this listed many times and finally made it. I will make more of an effort to see them again in the future. They were awesome. Kenny Wollensen was listed on the drums but it ended up being Dan Weiss. He was awesome. All the music was phenomenal. I loved how they all sounded together. All solos were fantastic. I meant to pick up a CD and forgot. I will have get over to DMG to pick one up.
Overseas Kenny Wollesen (drums) Brandon Seabrook (guitar) Eivind Opsvik (bass) Tony Malaby (sax) Jacob Sacks (piano, organ)
Leyna Marika Papach @ The Stone 6/16/12
To contact us Click HERE
I had my dates mixed up and I thought it was the night for Spectrum Road at BBs. Luckily, I usually check websites before heading out, and I realized that show is still 2 weeks away. I had their San Francisco show on my calendar from before they announced the NYC show. I looked into going out for it, but couldn't find a cheap flight. By the time I discovered my error, I didn't feel like shlepping out to Roulette for Vision Fest, even though the lineup looked great. I did want something, so I went to my old stand-by for some solo violin.
It was about 30 minutes - it's more typical for solo sets to be shorter. I love seeing solo shows as it's an opportunity to focus in on one instrument. She started by playing one string for a bit, 30-60 seconds and then played the next string for a bit and so on. After that cool piece she played with vibrating the strings and it was awesome to see the difference. Most of it was with the bow. There was one piece where she put down the bow and held it like a ukalele for the plucking. It was a good set.
Leyna Marika Papach (violin) Solo violin works.
I had my dates mixed up and I thought it was the night for Spectrum Road at BBs. Luckily, I usually check websites before heading out, and I realized that show is still 2 weeks away. I had their San Francisco show on my calendar from before they announced the NYC show. I looked into going out for it, but couldn't find a cheap flight. By the time I discovered my error, I didn't feel like shlepping out to Roulette for Vision Fest, even though the lineup looked great. I did want something, so I went to my old stand-by for some solo violin.
It was about 30 minutes - it's more typical for solo sets to be shorter. I love seeing solo shows as it's an opportunity to focus in on one instrument. She started by playing one string for a bit, 30-60 seconds and then played the next string for a bit and so on. After that cool piece she played with vibrating the strings and it was awesome to see the difference. Most of it was with the bow. There was one piece where she put down the bow and held it like a ukalele for the plucking. It was a good set.
Leyna Marika Papach (violin) Solo violin works.
Paquito d'Rivera @ Dizzy's 6/17/12
To contact us Click HERE
I try to take the opportunity to see these mainstream jazz greats when they play a club, especially when it's not Blue Note. I also like getting to Dizzy's every now and then. This was an excellent move on my part - it was awesome. The compositions were reinterpreted classical works gone jazz. Stellar arrangements. They did Chopin, Mozart, Beethovan, and Bach - the jazz way. Paquito told us how he always heard a Blues in the 2nd Movement of a Mozart piece and he and Wynton Marsalis decided that Mozart was actually from New Orleans and not Salzburg. Later, he told us Beethovan was actually from Machu Pichu, Peru and then of course we got a super Latin number.
The band was phenomenal. The piano really stood out. The drummer also had timbales. There was also a percussionist with Congas and either little congas or bongos, I'm not quite sure.
I loved it!
The listing:
Paquito D'Rivera: Boleros de Chopin
w/Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, and Arturo Sable
Arguably no living musician embodies the spirit of our club's namesake than D'Rivera. Whether it's his humor, incredible musicianship, an unwavering devotion to knocking down musical borders in the name of be-bop or his recognition as a leading international ambassador of jazz, Dizzy Gillespie is his main influence. For this performance, he gives a very lyrical and explosive Latin jazz mix of boleros, Chopin, bebop, Mozart, rumbas, and Bach. Paquito D'Rivera, alto saxophone, clarinet; Diego Urcola, trumpet; valve trombone; Alex Brown, piano; Oscar Stagnaro, bass; Mark Walker, drums; Arturo Sable, percussion
This is from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQf5MeO5fOc
I try to take the opportunity to see these mainstream jazz greats when they play a club, especially when it's not Blue Note. I also like getting to Dizzy's every now and then. This was an excellent move on my part - it was awesome. The compositions were reinterpreted classical works gone jazz. Stellar arrangements. They did Chopin, Mozart, Beethovan, and Bach - the jazz way. Paquito told us how he always heard a Blues in the 2nd Movement of a Mozart piece and he and Wynton Marsalis decided that Mozart was actually from New Orleans and not Salzburg. Later, he told us Beethovan was actually from Machu Pichu, Peru and then of course we got a super Latin number.
The band was phenomenal. The piano really stood out. The drummer also had timbales. There was also a percussionist with Congas and either little congas or bongos, I'm not quite sure.
I loved it!
The listing:
Paquito D'Rivera: Boleros de Chopin
w/Diego Urcola, Alex Brown, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, and Arturo Sable
Arguably no living musician embodies the spirit of our club's namesake than D'Rivera. Whether it's his humor, incredible musicianship, an unwavering devotion to knocking down musical borders in the name of be-bop or his recognition as a leading international ambassador of jazz, Dizzy Gillespie is his main influence. For this performance, he gives a very lyrical and explosive Latin jazz mix of boleros, Chopin, bebop, Mozart, rumbas, and Bach. Paquito D'Rivera, alto saxophone, clarinet; Diego Urcola, trumpet; valve trombone; Alex Brown, piano; Oscar Stagnaro, bass; Mark Walker, drums; Arturo Sable, percussion
This is from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQf5MeO5fOc
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