APRIL 2019

VOLUME 86 / NUMBER 4

President Kevin Maher

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CONTRIBUTORS
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Great Britain: Brian Priestley; Japan: Kiyoshi Koyama; Portugal: Antonio Rubio;
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John Maher, President 1950-1969

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 APRIL 2019

ON THE COVER

ERIKA GOLDRING
24 Galactic
Respectful Caretakers
BY JENNIFER ODELL

The members of Galactic discuss

their decision to take ownership
of the legendary New Orleans
venue Tipitina’s. After decades
in the Crescent City, the band
has raised its profile by making
the venue—the former stomping

24
grounds of Professor Longhair—
its home base. The quintet’s new
album is Already Ready Already.

FEATURES
32 Alfredo Rodríguez &
Pedrito Martinez Galactic and vocalist Erica Falls perform at Tipitina’s in New Orleans on Dec. 31 with
guest musicians, including trombonist Corey Henry and trumpeter Shamarr Allen.
Hermanos Cubanos
BY PHILLIP LUTZ Cover photo of Galactic shot by Erika Goldring at Tipitina’s in New Orleans on Jan. 4. On the cover,
from left: Ben Ellman, Robert Mercurio, Richard Vogel, Stanton Moore and Jeffrey Raines.

38 Noah Preminger
Perpetual Motion Machine
BY DAN OUELLETTE

42 Rhiannon Giddens
Giving Ancestors a Voice
BY SAMANTHA WILLIS

64 Musicians’ Gear Guide

Best of The NAMM Show
50 Julian Lage 53 Wadada Leo Smith 57 Boone/Levine 61 Rigmor Gustafsson
SPECIAL SECTION
73 Brass School
74 ‘Composing for an DEPARTMENTS
Improvised Life’
BY DAVE DOUGLAS
8 First Take
FEDERICA CICUTTINI

78 Master Class 10 Chords & Discords

BY DARREN BARRETT

80 Pro Session 13 The Beat

BY STEVE DAVIS 47 Reviews
82 Transcription
Kirk Knuffke Cornet Solo 86 Jazz On Campus
84 Toolshed 90 Blindfold Test Translator Isabella Ranieri (left),
Stefano Bollani journalist Ted Panken and pianist Stefano Bollani

6 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 First Take BY BOBBY REED

Jimmy Heath (left), Albert “Tootie” Heath and Wallace Roney

DEREK MEADE
perform at the “A Great Night in Harlem” benefit concert in 2014.

Helping Each Other Out

WHAT DO WE OWE EACH OTHER? IT’S A in Anaheim, California, where the DownBeat
deep, philosophical question. Lately, I’ve been staff attended The NAMM Show. At the
wrestling with issues related to moral philos- Anaheim Convention Center, I encountered an
ophy, such as what one person’s fundamental ocean of company representatives touting their
responsibility is toward another specific individ- new musical instruments and gear (see page 64).
ual. Also, what is a person’s responsibility to the Within that crowd of industry professionals and
local community? And to humanity as a whole? products, along with all the normal commerce,
For some individuals, why is the drive to help there were inspiring instances of companies and
complete strangers seemingly just as strong as organizations promoting worthy causes, such as
the drive to help a loved one? fostering music education, providing free instru-
I’ve been pondering these questions, in part, ments and instruction for young people, and
because of a sitcom. Sure, I could attribute all this helping musicians protect their health.
philosophical introspection to media coverage One such organization is The NAMM
of international events and our nation’s heated Foundation, which “advances active par-
political rhetoric. And those things have weighed ticipation in music making across the lifes-
on me. But another important factor has been pan by supporting scientific research, philan-
The Good Place, a TV series centered on ques- thropic giving and public service programs.”
tions involving ethics, philosophy and the after- Information on this important organization and
life. It’s pretty heady stuff for a 30-minute sitcom. its mission, grants and scholarships is available at
The series’ fictional characters repeatedly nammfoundation.org.
reference the real-life philosopher T.M. Scanlon’s On my flight home from California, I binged
book What We Owe to Each Other. The book some more episodes of The Good Place, and I read
jacket blurb says: “According to T. M. Scanlon’s an email about “A Great Night in Harlem,” the
contractualist view, thinking about right and annual gala concert that raises funds for the non-
wrong is thinking about what we do in terms that profit organization Jazz Foundation of America
could be justified to others and that they could (jazzfoundation.org). This year’s concert will be
not reasonably reject. He shows how the special held on April 4 at the Apollo Theater in New
authority of conclusions about right and wrong York (see page 46). The JFA does many things,
arises from the value of being related to others including helping musicians who are in need,
in this way, and he demonstrates how familiar by providing housing and emergency assistance,
moral ideas such as fairness and responsibility pro bono medical care and disaster relief. When
can be understood through their role in this pro- I contemplate all the ways music has improved
cess of mutual justification and criticism.” my life, I realize that the least I can do is make a
I haven’t read this book yet, but I plan to. donation to help out musicians in crisis.
Perhaps Scanlon will give me more insight into Scores of people are out there working tire-
life’s meaning (and my favorite sitcom). lessly to aid their fellow human beings. Let’s help
On a recent flight, I watched several episodes out however we can. Let’s think about what we as
of The Good Place. When my plane landed, I was human beings owe to each other. DB

8 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 Chords Discords
Underappreciated Masters

LENNY GONZALEZ
My favorite part of DownBeat is the Reviews
section. I love finding out about new music,
especially if it’s someone I’ve never heard of be-
fore. After a while, you start to notice the same
names appearing in the Reviews section, either
as a side person or as a leader. Musicians get
a little momentum in their careers when one
good side-person gig leads to another.
I’ve lived in the Bay Area since 1993 and
have been fortunate to see many great local
musicians. Scott Amendola is at the top of this
Scott Amendola
list. His incredible drumming can be heard on
albums by Bill Frisell, T.J. Kirk, Charlie Hunter, DownBeat will try something new. How about
The Nels Cline Singers and many others. once a year having an “Unsung Masters” issue?
But it is Amendola’s songwriting that puts It could feature musicians who have been put-
him on a different level. He has been releasing ting out great original music for 10 years or more,
amazing original music since 1995: from ballads but who have flown under the radar. DownBeat
to blues, free-improv to straightahead jazz, and readers could find out about new music they
his orchestral masterpiece, Fade To Orange. would not discover anywhere else.
And yet, the average jazz fan hasn’t heard of It’s extremely difficult for jazz musicians to
him. So, it makes me wonder how many other make a living, and almost impossible without a
artists like Scott Amendola are out there. little recognition. Maybe this would help.
While it’s impossible to recognize all of the
SCOTT ARNOLD
great artists on the scene, I am hopeful that [email protected]

Motor City Blues each night of the week to see live jazz. We
In your February issue, I was happy to see have five or six weekly jam sessions, and KUVO
Detroit included in your feature “World’s Best Jazz is recognized as one of the best radio and
Jazz Cities.” Accompanying the text about streaming outlets for jazz on the planet.
Detroit was a photo of Esperanza Spalding Had any effort been made to look into the
playing at the 2018 Detroit Jazz Festival. While Denver jazz scene, it would have been clear
Spalding is one of the greatest and most influ- that we easily outdistance Miami as a jazz city.
ential artists in the world, it would have been ARTURO GÓMEZ
KUVO JAZZ
more meaningful to illustrate the piece with a DENVER
photo of a Detroit artist, such as Regina Carter,
James Carter, Kenny Garrett, Wendell Harri-
son, Rodney Whitaker or the late Geri Allen.
The same goes for some other cities in your Top of the List
article: The piece on Washington, D.C., had a Nancy Wilson will be missed (The Beat, March).
photo of Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, a New I recall that your June 2004 issue included the
Orleans-born jazz star. feature “30 All-Time Favorite Jazz Vocal Re-
When celebrating great jazz cities, it is im- cordings.” No. 1 on that list was Nancy Wilson/
portant to recognize local stars. Without them, Cannonball Adderley (released by Capitol in
their respective hometowns would not be on 1962), along with comments about Wilson by
the list. Dee Dee Bridgewater, Karrin Allyson, Cassan-
dra Wilson and other singers.
ADAM KAHANA
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN DENNIS HENDLEY
MILWAUKEE

Marlins vs. Rockies

I read with keen interest your article “World’s Not in ‘Ridgemont’
Best Jazz Cities” in the February issue. I had no In the March issue, your otherwise fine obitu-
argument with any of the cities listed—until I ary of Nancy Wilson contained an error: It said
saw Miami. As a Miami transplant to Denver, I she acted in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont
laughed out loud to see it included. High. Well, I had to see that for myself, and it’s
Denver has more live jazz in a few months not her. It’s the other Nancy Wilson, one of the
than Miami has in an entire year. We have sev- two Wilson sisters in the rock band Heart.
eral jazz clubs, we have world-class players, LEE ALEXANDER BARNES
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
and we are blessed with several universities
with jazz studies programs that have some of
jazz’s finest musicians as instructors. Have a Chord or Discord? Email us at [email protected]
In Denver, you can go to a different room or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

10 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

12 DOWNBEAT MAY 2016
 News Views From Around The Music World

The
Inside

14 / Winter Jazzfest
16 / Angel Bat Dawid
18 / Vinyl
19 / Macie Stewart
21 / SFJAZZ Gala
22 / Joseph Jarman

Anna Webber’s ‘Clockwise’ Spans Musical Worlds

F
or decades, jazz composers have strug-

EVAN SHAY
gled for the recognition and resourc-
es enjoyed by their classically oriented
counterparts. But for a new generation of jazz
performers, that finally might be changing.
Clockwise, a new release on Pi Recordings
that features a septet led by multi-instrumen-
talist and composer Anna Webber, exemplifies
the trend.
“I think that these worlds are coming togeth-
er—and specifically on the New York music
scene, it’s a really exciting time where people
from New Music and jazz are interested in what
each other are doing,” the bandleader said. Multi-instrumentalist Anna Webber tailored her writing on
Clockwise to the improvising musicians she assembled for the project.
Her Clockwise project was conceived with
seven pioneering improvisers in mind: herself observed. “It’s a super-complex way of getting to meticulous, painful work of actually producing
and Jeremy Viner on woodwinds, Jacob Garchik what Evan Parker is doing—obviously in a very the scores.
on trombone, Christopher Hoffman on cello, studied and thoughtful way. But it’s not like he’s “I had done all the research, I had met with
Matt Mitchell on piano, Chris Tordini on bass writing it down as an 11-over-9 polyrhythm.” everybody, I had done all my research on the
and Ches Smith on drums. This led her to a new passion for translating instruments, I knew all the people,” she said.
Drawing from 20th-century compositional musical improvisers’ intuition into the written “And then that was the last step: OK, lock myself
languages of Iannis Xenakis, Milton Babbit and language of Western composition. in a room—in this case, a beautiful room in the
John Cage—specifically, their work for percus- “We have all this facility as improvisers to do woods with my lunch being delivered every day.”
sion—Webber’s approach offers an Ellingtonian everything that everybody else is doing—in fact, Webber is quick to insist that she’s far from
flair that aims to stimulate the imaginations of they’re trying to write down what we’re doing. the first person to explore the interconnections
each musician. But we’re not writing it down,” she said. “So, why of these seemingly disparate musics, evidenced
“I wanted to see what everybody else was don’t we write it down?” in part by the Pulitzer Prize awards given to
capable of and really tailor my writing to those Clockwise is her answer to the question, a improviser-composers Ornette Coleman and
specific people—and not just to ‘the trombone’ delightfully quirky album that brings the Henry Threadgill.
or ‘the cello,’ but actually to Jacob Garchik or strange virtuosity of extended techniques into “I feel like most musicians that I know don’t
Christopher Hoffman,” she explained. “So, I met the space of collective creativity. The nota- stratify their music listening according to
with everybody and just asked, ‘OK, show me a tion guide for “Kore II” instructs the trombon- genre,” Webber said. “A lot of what interests me
bunch of the weird sounds that you know how ist to “make a thwacking sound with tongue on as a composer, generally, is stuff that is import-
to do. ... [A]nd then let’s improvise together, so mouthpiece”; “Idiom II” features an eerie micro- ant to classical composition—in a way that is dif-
I can get some more ideas through that, and see tonal tenor saxophone duet that uses a venting ferent than a lot of jazz writing.”
what kind of blends are possible.’” technique to alter pitches. Clockwise, being drawn from the creative
Through interactions with New Music com- Drawing on the language of classical com- milieu of New York’s music scene, where bound-
posers, Webber’s learned to perceive the inno- position has its perks. It helped provide for aries among styles rapidly are breaking down,
vations of improvising musicians in a new light. Webber’s four-week residency at the MacDowell might just offer a blueprint for a subsequent
“Many New Music composers want to write Artist Colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire. generation to build bridges spanning these
saxophone stuff that’s like Evan Parker,” she That monthlong stay gave her the space do to the musical worlds. —Alex W. Rodriguez

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 13

 JONATHAN CHIMENE
Riffs
Lioness

ENID FARBER

Inside the Den: The band Lioness

moves effortlessly from New Orleans-in- Melissa Aldana (left), Immanuel Wilkins and
flected grooves to new-millennium bop Jure Puki perform at New York’s SubCulture during Winter Jazzfest.
and cooled-down swing on its debut, Pride
& Joy (Posi-Tone), due out March 8. The
group’s front line of tenor saxophonist The Ibero-American
Flavor of Winter Jazzfest
Jenny Hill, baritone saxophonist Lauren Se-
vian and alto saxophonist Alexa Tarantino
is supported by Allison Miller behind the
drumkit along with guitarist Amanda Mo- FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS, WINTER Melissa Aldana played an intense and sophisti-
naco and organist Akiko Tsuruga. Pride & Jazzfest’s signature event has been a weekend cated post-bop set. During her “Elsewhere,” the
Joy draws upon material penned by Lioness marathon spread across dozens of New York bandleader’s tenor and Joel Ross’ fiery vibes lit
band members as well as composers like venues, with performances from early evening up the room as Aldana amply shared the for-
Carla Bley.
posi-tone.com
stretching out toward the dawn. midable skills that won her the 2013 Thelonious
This year, for the first time, Winter Jazzfest Monk International Jazz Competition. As the
Armstrong House: Kenyon Victor Ad- extended over two weekends and held a daughter and granddaughter of jazz musicians,
ams has been named director of the Louis half-marathon in Greenwich Village in six ven- Aldana has bop in her blood, and her forceful
Armstrong House Museum, succeeding ues on the first Saturday of January, followed playing at times evoked earlier eras, but always
Michael Cogswell. Adams, who previously by the full and classic two-night marathon the lucidly framed by a 21st-century perspective.
oversaw the arts initiative at Connecticut’s next weekend. Both were curated within Winter After a long break, the night at SubCulture
Grace Farms Foundation, will assume his Jazzfest’s framework of exploring themes of culminated in a Cuban firestorm, a mesmeriz-
new role immediately. “I’m excited to be a
social justice, this year’s focus being on gen- ing duo of superstars from the Cuban jazz scene:
part of this gem of a museum, its com-
mitted team and the truly breathtaking
der as the festival promised to offer gender- Grammy-nominated pianist Alfredo Rodríguez
archives,” Adams said in a press release equitable programming by 2022. and percussionist Pedrito Martinez (see page 32
detailing his appointment and the recent Shuttling back and forth between several for a feature on the performers). Both are laud-
digitization project at the Queens nonprofit. venues on Bleecker Street during an unusually ed for their virtuosic performances, but each
louisarmstronghouse.org warm January, the half-marathon was a some- brings two uniquely rich worlds to the musi-
what more manageable mad-scramble for space cal table. Rodriguez has the classical training
‘Grandest Gathering’: The Cape Town and sightlines than the full-marathon experi- of Havana’s renowned and rigorous conserva-
International Jazz Festival is set to return
ence. Venues still were characteristically packed tories; Martinez’s virtuosity emerged in the Old
March 29–30 in Cape Town, South Africa.
In addition to select free performances,
as the evening progressed. Havana barrio of Cayo Hueso, and was forged
master classes and workshops on journal- The evening took off at The Sheen Center for in the sacred drumming of Cuban Santería.
ism and technology, the festival’s head- Thought & Culture’s elegant auditorium with Together, these two masters traded and juxta-
liners will include Ibrahim Khalil Shihab, the Marta Sanchez Quintet’s polished compo- posed riffs, laughing and delighting themselves
Chaka Khan, Eliane Elias, GoGo Penguin, sitions. The Spanish pianist, raised in Madrid, and concertgoers in the deliciousness of their
John Scofield’s Combo 66, Ndaka Yo Wiñi, gently conducted the dialog among herself and musical conversation, Martinez transitioning
Shekhinah, Richard Bona, Cory Henry & Alex LoRe on alto saxophone, Jerome Sabbagh back and forth from traditional Cuban percus-
The Funk Apostles, Keyon Harrold, Nicole on tenor saxophone, Simon Willson on bass and sion to drum set as they moved through material
Mitchell and Nubya Garcia. Daniel Dor on drums, all of whom rendered the from their upcoming album, Duologue, as well
capetownjazzfest.com
bandleader’s cerebral creations with space for as some Cuban standards.
Final Bar: Bernard Mixon, a Chicago vo- each musician to breathe and explore. Several The first weekend was true to Winter
calist and actor with film credits stretching of the compositions, such as Sanchez’s “Danza Jazzfest’s theme, with performances from art-
from the late ‘80s through the early 2000s, Imposible,” highlighted the rich, intertwining ists with roots in Spain, Chile and Cuba, and
died during December 2018 at the age textures created by two frontline saxophones. several women-led ensembles. And given that
of 69. Mixon’s vocal career began on the Dor appeared on Sanchez’s two most recent the festival is easily the best way of taking the
South Side and eventually included work albums, and the interplay between the drummer pulse of the contemporary jazz and impro-
with AACM bandleader Phil Cohran, as well and bandleader brimmed with a rich, unhurried vised music scenes, it provided evidence of a
as George Lewis, who toured Europe with beauty. As an opener to the half-marathon, the diverse, eclectic, brilliant and inclusive Ibero-
the singer.
concert only hinted at what was to come. American presence.
Later at SubCulture, Chilean saxophonist —Catalina Maria Johnson

14 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

Verve Celebrates Granz Centennial
THE HISTORY OF JAZZ OFFERS A SELECT dized the record company. Every artist didn’t nec- Norman Granz (1918–2001)

THE ESTATE OF OSCAR PETERSON

group of rebels who profoundly bent its for- essarily carry his own weight.”
tunes without ever playing a note of music. One In 1956, Granz consolidated everything
of these lone wolves was Norman Granz (1918– under a single brand, and Verve was born. Though
2001), who parleyed his own rarified tastes and spread across four discs, The Founder can’t hit all
an indifference to industry norms into a verti- the bases. But it shines light into some less expect-
cally integrated jazz empire. By gathering every- ed early corners, like a track by the Ralph Burns
thing under one thumb—his own—he created, Orchestra with Lee Konitz. “We wanted it to be a
managed and marketed his own visions of what good listen,” Druker said. “So, we kept the focus
the record industry could achieve. on the music flow.” —John McDonough
Today, the eldest surviving child of that
empire is Verve Records, since 1998 a unit of
Universal Music. And the label is celebrating the
centennial of Granz’s birth with a four-CD set fea-
turing artists with whom he worked, including
Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and
Oscar Peterson. Norman Granz: The Founder was
programmed by Granz biographer Tad Hershorn,
whose lively liner notes also provide the narration.
“Even with all our labels today at Universal,
Verve is still the one we use as our jazz brand,”
said Ken Druker, vice president for jazz develop-
ment at Verve Label Group. “We hope this [box
set] sells. It’s an important part of our history. But
it’s not, as we say, a ‘revenue play.’”
Danny Bennett, president/CEO of Verve
Label Group, added: “Norman Granz’s dedication
to equality and social justice—for his artists and
his audiences—was extraordinary in his time and
is still relevant today. Every day we at Verve oper-
ate in the pioneering spirit of Norman Granz.”
There is some irony in the notion of an
enormous music corporation celebrating a
man who likely wouldn’t rise within its ranks
today. Hostile to intrusion and indifferent to
the marketplace, Granz relished his sover-
eignty. For him, nothing mattered but doing
it his way. As a producer, though, his touch
was light.
Granz began his impresario days in 1942
organizing off-night jam sessions in Los Angeles
clubs. In 1944, he had an epiphany: If a jam
could draw 200 in a club, why not 2,000 in
L.A. Philharmonic Auditorium? “Jazz at the
Philharmonic,” he thought, had a nice ring to it,
and the debut concert in July was recorded. As
Granz listened days later, he was struck by how
the concert’s excitement could be felt through the
recording and saw a new dimension in commer-
cial recording: music as documentary. It would
be the great innovation of his career. Granz took
the Philharmonic recordings to executive Manie
Sacks at Columbia, “but Sacks couldn’t see the
possibilities,” Granz later said. So, the chance to
issue the first live concert records in 1945 fell to an
obscure label owned by Moses Asch.
The “Jazz at the Philharmonic” concept
caught fire, fueled by the push-pull of concerts
and records promoting each other. “For the first
10 years,” Granz said in 1997, “the concerts subsi-

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 15

 brought a background in hip-hop production

ALEJANDRO AYALA
to the proceedings.
The Oracle unites a series of influences
from her singular background, including
time spent living in Kenya as a child of min-
ister parents, who later “discovered their iden-
tity as ‘Hebrew,’” or Black Hebrew Israelites.
She describes her earliest experiences learn-
ing music as being centered in spiritual spac-
es and churches, and took her name—which
translates to “Daughter of David”—from the
Old Testament David, whom she admires for
his ecstatic musicality and passion.
Returning to the States as an adolescent,
Bat Dawid recalled feeling out of place, and
found comfort in music, particularly Mozart’s
clarinet concertos. But during her early 20s,
Angel Bat Dawid’s The Oracle splices together Bat Dawid’s life was interrupted by a serious
sonic fragments, spoken word and more.
health condition, and upon recovery from

Angel Bat Dawid: Between surgery to address a benign brain tumor, she
sought to explore the healing powers of music.

Sun Ra and Gospel

The entirety of the composer’s past finds
its way into The Oracle, an album shuttled into
life through the use of a multitrack record-
ANGEL BAT DAWID, A CHICAGO-BASED fragments and spoken word—somehow aus-
ing app on her phone, along with collections
avant-garde composer, improviser and tere and lush, simultaneously—built upon ele-
of sounds from traveling, as well as jams in
multi-instrumentalist, hails from seven gener- ments drawn from poems by Yusef Lateef and
London and South Africa. Bat Dawid, who
ations of ministers, and her approach to music Margaret Burroughs, with Bat Dawid’s clari-
refers to herself a “sonic archaeologist,” seeks
never loses sight of the spiritual. net brilliantly soaring and swooping to mimic
to find the sonic imprint of past events on
As she puts it: “My music, sometimes, it’s vocal lines. It’s a fierce one-woman show,
physical spaces, incorporating them into her
just something comes over me, and then with Bat Dawid playing every instrument on
own music.
something pours out—that’s all improvisa- the album (save for Asher Simiso Gamedze’s
To collect these “vibes,” she’s taken her
tion really is. You go with the sound and then drumming on “Cape Town”), singing and
horn to spaces in Chicago’s Cottage Grove
it’ll tell you to trust that the next thing you’re completing the mix herself.
neighborhood—including a lot where
gonna play is right—and it always is.” The 39-year-old artist’s compositional
the Pershing Hotel, which hosted pia-
Most of her artful creations arise during style emerged over time as she recorded var-
nist Ahmad Jamal in 1958 as he recorded
serendipitous moments, and her new album, ious pieces so The Brotherhood, her ensem-
At The Pershing: But Not For Me, once
The Oracle (International Anthem), shares ble, could be kept appraised of new works. But
stood—to gather the feeling of what’s there,
a Sun Ra-infused mixture of samples, sonic Bat Dawid, a self-professed vinyl addict, also
and use it to influence and inspire her
instantaneous compositions.
As part of her constant search to find the
undercurrent of the African Diaspora’s spiri-
tual practices, she titled “Impepho,” a cut off
the new album, for a plant that, when burnt,
is said to enable contact with one’s ancestors
and with the divine. She’s also introduced the
music of South Africa into the song, finding
inspiration in a 21st-century electronic music
called gqom, joking that “‘Impepho’ is like an
out-jazz version” of the genre.
On some level, Bat Dawid continued, she
thinks of her music as following her family’s
legacy of ministry: “Some of my favorite com-
posers and artists have been my best friends
during rough times. ... I prayed over each and
every song I did, and I meditated that it would
bring peace and harmony, and all those good
things. I [make] intentionally good music—
there’s a lot that’s intentionally perverse and
weird out there. So, I’m like, well, if they can
go hard on that, I should be able to go hard
on doing something that can heal people.”
—Catalina Maria Johnson

16 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

Michael Wolff’s Miraculous Turn
MICHAEL WOLFF’S FATHER ONCE SHARED The mood Wolff’s trio sets on Swirl is one of

CHRIS DRUKKER
with him a psychiatrist’s perspective on music undeniable warmth. Interplay among the band-
and life: “Everyone who listens to Basie’s band lis- leader, bassist Ben Allison and drummer Allan
tens to the saxophones and trumpet, but if you Mednard reflects deep listening and near-in-
want to know what’s really going on, you gotta lis- tuitive reactions, helping to bring tremendous
ten to the bass and drums.” color and character to the bandleader’s varied
Fascinated with what’s beneath the surface, compositions, including “Jenny,” a tribute to his
Wolff has spent his career uncovering simulta- friend afflicted with the same rare cancer, “Tough
neous truths. And over the years, the pianist has Ashkenazi,” inspired by a conversation with pia-
Michael Wolff’s new release, Swirl,
collaborated with Cannonball Adderley, Sonny nist Fred Hersch, and “Allison,” written for his is his first leader date in nearly a decade.
Rollins, Nancy Wilson and countless other bandmate Ben.
deep-diving artists. He’s issued a dozen records When Wolff fell ill, Allison often would bring never know which way the music is going to go,
through the decades, but the release of his live over his bass, and the two would just play. “We which is exciting. Any musician can take a quick
recording, Swirl (Sunnyside), represents a depth really developed this duo language together,” left turn and lose his bandmates in the process.
of expression that emerged only after he’d trav- Wolff said. Mednard joined the unit during a But, the twists and turns this trio takes are always
eled “to the brink and back.” 2017 Erroll Garner tribute presented by WBGO, based on musical logic. We don’t always know
After Wolff was diagnosed with a rare form and the trio has been working together ever since. where we’re going to end up, but when we get
of cancer in 2015, doctors offered a grave prog- A deeply personal connection among the to the end, it always feels inevitable—like it was
nosis, and he slipped into a coma. But in what three artists, in part, creates the warmth swirl- meant to happen that way.”
he refers to as a miraculous turn, a trial medi- ing from one track to the next on the new album. Along with warmth, destiny might prove to
cation aided his recovery—along with his per- Wolff relies on the connection to help him reach be another, albeit unintended, theme of the new
sistent will and the realization he had so much that other level of musicianship: “To me, there’s record. But Wolff admits his family has become
more music to share. “I’m more concerned one level that’s sort of what we talk about with his primary focus—an enduring force and source
with beauty, and not proving anything as a pia- harmony and notes and chords and bebop. But of unconditional love. “It sounds a little bit hokey,”
nist or a composer,” Wolff said. “So, I try to make then there’s a level where you can go deeper.” he said, “but I just think, at this point, the love
sure that everything I play and record has a Allison, too, recognizes the immense free- and the warmth and the universalness of life and
certain mood.” dom in playing with openness and trust: “You music is all-consuming for me.”—Stephanie Jones

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 17

 VINYL / BY ROBERT HAM

Rother’s

MAX ZERRAHN
Solo Path
Though his résumé includes a long and var-
ied solo career, Michael Rother’s work often
has been discussed in relation to the more fa-
mous ensembles and performers he’s collab-
orated with. He counts early membership in
electronic pioneers Kraftwerk; krautrock duo
Neu!, his band with drummer Klaus Dinger;
and Harmonia, a collaboration with the mem-
bers of Cluster and, for a single 1976 session,
Brian Eno.
Starting the following year, Rother
went marching down paths of his own cre-
ation, propelling his motorik rhythms and
atmospheric melodies toward mesmerizing
boundaries.
Michael Rother
Now, Rother’s legacy is getting a proper
spotlight turn with the release of Solo, a six-
disc box set that compiles the first four LPs Katzenmusik offers the broadest scope
that he issued under his own name, as well with its occasional formless interludes, skit-
as a collection of movie soundtrack work tering, almost disco-like beats and “KM 11,” a
and an EP of live material and remixes. It’s mist-covered solo guitar piece. But through-
a welcome addition to the krautrock canon, out his first four solo ventures, there are mo-
but it’s also best consumed in small doses. ments that slip away from what’s expected.
That might run counter to the binge-listen- Liebezeit is given room to show off his re-
ing approach that most luxe releases like this markable skills on “Zeni,” from Rother’s 1977
encourage. But heard in quick succession, debut, Flammende Herzen. The drummer
these albums start to blur together, melting rolls and tumbles steadily through the track,
into one long hypnotic, pulsating beat and like a pilot sending his prop plane through a
pealing guitar solo. bank of storm clouds.
Rother landed on the aesthetic sprawled The entirety of Solo also provides a de-
out across the set during his tenure in Neu!, luxe reminder of Rother’s impact on modern
one that he attempts slight variations of experimental and alternative music. The
throughout the box set’s albums. He occa- unyielding beats and psychedelic overtones
sionally messes with the formula, as on “KM were borrowed en masse by ‘90s group Ste-
10,” from 1979’s Katzenmusik, which features reolab on its early recordings, and the legacy
an extended intro of squiggling guitar lines, continues with more contemporary artists
or the pensive opening chords of “Erlkönig,” like LCD Soundsystem and Cut Copy. The Live
found on 1982’s Fernwärme. Eventually, And Remixes disc finds Rother connected di-
though, the chugging drums, provided rectly with the younger set. One live track is a
throughout by Can member Jaki Liebezeit, recording of Hallogallo 2010, his project with
fade into the mix like a horse at full gallop, former Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley
just cresting the horizon. and guitarist Aaron Mullen, who both lean
That’s what makes Soundtracks, a disc into a clenched, medium-tempo grind. And
that includes Rother’s scores for a pair of 2015 one of the remixes finds Rother smoothing
films, such a welcome addition to Solo. The out the jagged edges of a track by British
hypnotic qualities of his work still are present, post-punks Boxed In.
but are being used for dramatic effect, via ar- The set also serves as a reminder that
peggiated strings and some buzzing synth Rother’s work didn’t exist in a vacuum. His
drones. Even without the filmic visuals, the German contemporaries, like Can and Clus-
tension and release—especially in the four ter, were aiming to achieve the same ecstatic
sections meant to accompany the crime dra- effects through repetition. The difference is
ma The Robbers—is immediately palpable. that those groups also veered into far chop-
The nuances and emotional fluctua- pier waters of experimentation and discor-
tions of each of the studio albums included, dance. Rother never seemed to want to be
though, are best appreciated on an individu- anything else, but infinitely listenable. And
al basis. All the better to help draw out those for the most part, that’s what Solo is, immi-
splendid moments when Rother adjusts or nently listenable. DB
abandons his formula. Ordering info: groenland.com/en

18 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 them, Stewart said, was catalyzed by friendships

MAREN CELEST
Multi-instrumentalist Macie Stewart divvies up time
between Ohmme and a batch of other projects.
with local fixtures, like drummer Quin Kirchner.
With so many opportunities for collabora-
tion, it was only a matter of time until some-
thing stuck with Stewart, and that came with
her introduction to multi-instrumentalist Sima
Cunningham, now a member of Ohmme. The
duo’s evolution was anything but intentional, a
serendipitous combination of Stewart departing
from her indie outfit, Kids These Days, and fill-
ing in for Cunningham during a series of 2013
performances.
Today, Ohmme boasts a handful of record-
ings and is planning upcoming tours. The proj-
ect enables Stewart’s constant movement between
studio and stage: “Ohmme was really just about

Macie Stewart’s Equilibrium

WITH TIME SPLIT AMONG HER INDIE-ROCK tion of communities to ensure that you stay cre-
making a recording at first. Our songwriting style
is the same, but now we’re ready to play with pro-
duction,” said Stewart, who wields guitar in the
band Ohmme, Chicago’s experimental jazz com- ative. ... It helps things stay vibrant.” group. “Violin is really drawing me right now,
munity and a perennial quest for her next project, Raised playing violin and piano, Stewart’s exploring the textures, the ambient noise and
Macie Stewart is a master of equilibrium. foundation lies in a continued practice of clas- what different sounds I can get out of my instru-
To the 25-year-old multi-instrumentalist, that sical music, which she pursued during child- ment. … There’s so much more to learn about it.”
variety is paramount to remaining inspired. “I’ve hood through a combination of self-study and But first a break—something, Stewart said, she
always felt myself drawn to doing as many things free classes at DePaul University’s Community has yet to experiment with.
as possible,” said Stewart, whose ever-expand- Music Division. Later, she found her creative “I have finally taken a lot of time to myself,”
ing list of collaborators includes saxophonist Ken creature comforts in the stalwart venues of she said. “I now make sure not to over-schedule
Vandermark, cellist Lia Kohl, SZA, Wilco and Chicago’s improvised music community, such myself, flip my brain and change gears constant-
hip-hop mogul Chance the Rapper. “Every skill is as Constellation, Elastic Arts and Hungry Brain. ly. Recharging is critical to maintain my creative
built upon another skill. It takes a cross-pollina- The constant flow of creative energy across all of energy—and my sanity.” —Hilary Brown

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 19

 In Memoriam: Michel Legrand

MICHAEL JACKSON
IN THE YEARS FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II, for seven years at the Conservatoire de Paris,
when forward-looking intellectuals in France where his teachers included the renowned
and the United States were infatuated with each Nadia Boulanger, who also would tutor Quincy
other, French pianist, composer and arranger Jones, Aaron Copland and Astor Piazzola.
Michel Legrand was the ideal bridge between the By the time he left the conservatory in 1949,
two worlds. Still performing until his death at age Legrand had added jazz to his interests, having
86 on Jan. 26, Legrand contributed to a number been enthralled by a 1947 Dizzy Gillespie con-
of jazz recordings, most notably Legrand Jazz, cert. He would go on to record with Gillespie on
a 1958 session that included Miles Davis and Dizzy Digs Paris in 1953.
John Coltrane. During the early ’50s, Legrand became an
Michel Legrand (1932–2019) Born in a suburb of Paris, Legrand studied in-demand accompanist and arranger for pop-
ular French performers. But what allowed him
to break out was a collection of French chan-
sons arranged by Legrand for English-language
performances. Released in 1954 by Columbia,
I Love Paris sold 8 million copies worldwide,
helping Legrand become a ubiquitous figure in
music.
Speaking to DownBeat in 2016, he recalled:
“Columbia says to me, ‘We would like to give
you a present. Tell us [the kind of] album you
want to make, and we’ll pay for it, and you’ll do
it.’ So, I said, ‘I want to do a jazz album’—with
Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and I named all the
jazz musicians on the album. And they said,
‘Let’s do it.’”
Aside from Davis and Coltrane, Legrand
Jazz included Ben Webster, Bill Evans, Phil
Woods, Hank Jones, Art Farmer and Donald
Byrd, among others. An oddity in Davis’ mas-
sive catalog, the session cemented a lasting
friendship between the two, which would even-
tually culminate in a second recording, the
soundtrack to the film Dingo, which was record-
ed in 1990 and released the following year.
In his 2016 interview, Legrand said that
Davis summoned him to Los Angeles for the
sessions, but then balked at getting underway.
Eventually, Legrand pulled the score together,
and Davis went into the studio with 30 musi-
cians, including Kenny Garrett, then a mem-
ber of the trumpeter’s ensemble. “I remember
being excited about recording with Miles and
Michel—two legends,” the saxophonist wrote
in an email to DownBeat. “Michel composed so
many great songs.”
The film, starring Davis as trumpeter Billy
Cross, was a box office disaster, gross-
ing just $132,500 in director Rolf De Heer’s
native Australia.
Among his most famous songs for the big
screen is “The Windmills Of Your Mind” from
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), which won
an Academy Award for best song and became a
standard. Legrand also won Oscars for his work
on the scores to the 1971 film Summer of ’42 and
the 1983 film Yentl. His final film work was on a
long-lost Orson Welles feature, The Other Side of
the Wind, released in 2018.
Overall, Legrand recorded more than 100
albums, winning five Grammys. —James Hale

20 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 Beat Caption

with him and to honor him for all the incredible

DREW ALTIZER
contributions he has made.”
Already warmed up and full of energy, the
crowd settled into the center’s sleek Miner
Auditorium for an evening of music, as well as the
presentation of SFJAZZ’s Lifetime Achievement
Award to Valdés.
The pianist sat in with a number of ensembles
during the evening, showcasing his ability to
maneuver up and down the keyboard with light-
ning precision, or to take spare, quieter and lus-
ciously harmonic journeys. Irakere 45, an exten-
sion of the ensemble Valdés helped found, rocked
the stage with Afro-Cuban rhythms, before
vocalist Dianne Reeves took the stage with just
Chucho Valdés (left), Omara Portuondo and Dianne Reeves each performed the pianist for a captivating version of “My Foolish
during the SFJAZZ gala, held Jan. 31 in San Francisco.
Heart.” The duo then was joined by 88-year-old

SFJAZZ Honors Chucho Cuban vocalist Omara Portuondo for a delightful

version of “Bésame Mucho.”
SFJAZZ has a lot to be proud of, and the gala

Valdés at Annual Gala

LIKE A JEWEL PROUDLY SITUATED ALONG- School All-Stars. Rebeca Mauleón, director of
was a fitting tribute to its legion of accomplish-
ments. “We do something here that is unusu-
al in the country, if not the world,” Randall
side some of San Francisco’s most significant per- education at SFJAZZ, got up on stage to talk about Kline, SFJAZZ founder and executive director,
forming arts institutions, the SFJAZZ Center the high-school ensemble, as well as the organiza- said before the event. “It is a new model, a blend
shimmered on Jan. 31 during its 2019 gala, tion’s education and outreach programs. between the focus of a concert hall, and the com-
an event honoring six-time Grammy Award- For Mauleón—a fan who became a close fort and informality of a club. We’re doing close to
winning Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. friend and collaborator with Valdés—the event 500 shows a year, we’ve got extensive educational
The Joe Henderson Lab, an intimate space, was a particularly momentous occasion. “We outreach and activities, and the bigger picture is
provided the perfect setting for pre-concert per- developed a wonderful bond,” she said prior to the that this music really reflects a multicultural point
formances from members of SFJAZZ’s High gala, “and I feel really lucky to be able to celebrate of view.” —Lily O’Brien

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 21

Joseph Jarman Remembered
MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST JOSEPH JARMAN, Joseph Jarman (1937–2019)

©MARK SHELDON
best known as a member of the Art Ensemble
of Chicago from 1970 to 1993 and again
during the early 2000s, died Jan. 9 of cardiac
arrest. He had been living at the Lillian Booth
Actors Home in Englewood, New Jersey, for sev-
eral years.
Jarman was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on
Sept. 14, 1937. He grew up in Chicago and attend-
ed DuSable High School, where he studied with
Capt. Walter Dyett, one of the city’s most promi-
nent music educators.
But in 1955, Jarman dropped out of high
school during his junior year and joined the
United States Army, serving as a paratrooper
in the 11th Airborne Division. Long before the
U.S. formally entered Vietnam, he was deployed
to Southeast Asia and injured in a raid on a vil-
lage that resulted in the death of 18 U.S. soldiers.
Jarman spent the remainder of his time in the ser-
vice in West Germany, playing saxophone in his paint onstage, and frequently singing lyrics, recit- ed in the music, and this in turn brought a new
division’s concert band. ing poetry or inserting dramatic exhortations into stream of lyricism and simplicity to my playing—
Following his discharge from the Army, he their pieces, countering the professorial Mitchell something I observed in Joseph’s music, as well.
returned to Chicago and attended Woodrow and the lab-coated Lester Bowie. Jarman was, in … I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to
Wilson Junior College, where he met Roscoe some ways, the most political and confrontation- study and play with Joseph for many years; the les-
Mitchell in 1961. Other students at the time al member of the AEC; photos exist of him strip- sons continue to inform my music to this day.”
included bassist Malachi Favors Maghostut ping naked in concert. Jarman delivered an opening invocation for
and saxophonists Anthony Braxton and Henry When he learned that his friend and collabo- the first 11 years of New York’s Vision Festival
Threadgill. Jarman and the others became char- rator had died, Famoudou Don Moye, who joined and performed at the event in various contexts.
ter members of the AACM, their inaugural con- the Art Ensemble as a percussionist in 1970, called Patricia Nicholson-Parker, the festival’s organizer
cert taking place in 1965, as he led a group that Jarman a “hero, friend, mentor, big brother, col- and founder of Arts for Art, said of Jarman’s par-
included trumpeter Bill Brimfield and saxophon- league, collaborator and co-conspirator” in an ticipation, “It is important how things begin. To
ist Fred Anderson. email relayed to DownBeat by Pi Recordings’ Seth always begin things from the most centered and
The multi-instrumentalist recorded two of Rosner. spiritual place, then all that follows will be bless-
the earliest albums tied to AACM, both issued by In 1990, Jarman traveled to Japan, and was ed. And so, the first and every Vision Festival
the label Delmark: 1967’s Song For—featuring the ordained as a Shin Buddhist priest. He sub- began with an invocation by Joseph Jarman. …
14-minute “Non-Cognitive Aspects Of The City,” sequently founded the Brooklyn Buddhist His understanding of the creative imperative, of
on which Jarman recites a multi-part poem in Association that year with his then-wife, writer the music, of performance, and the importance of
between instrumental solos—and 1968’s As If It Thulani Davis, and established the Jikishinkan a spiritual grounding guided us for as long as he
Were The Seasons. Aikido Dojo. In 1993, Jarman chose to retire from was able to do so.”
In 1977, he self-published a book of poetry, music to focus on his priestly duties and running Jarman rejoined the Art Ensemble in 2003,
Black Case, which contained writings from as the dojo. performing on a pair of studio works, The Meeting
far back as 1960. In a 1999 interview with Perfect But three years later, he returned to music at and Sirius Calling, as well as Non-Cognitive
Sound Forever, he said, “I’ve always been interest- the invitation of AACM violinist Leroy Jenkins Aspects Of The City, a live album culled from a
ed in blending all the elements. … [S]ome even (1932–2007). Jarman, Jenkins and pianist Myra series of 2005 New York concerts.
claimed I was the first quote-unquote jazz musi- Melford subsequently formed the trio Equal Jarman made his final public appearance in
cian to incorporate what they now call ‘multime- Interest. 2017, when the Art Ensemble performed at
dia.’ We were doing performance art as far back as “I studied Aikido and Zen meditation with Columbia University’s Lenfest Center for the Arts.
1965, just not calling it that. … I’ve found also in Joseph Jarman at his dojo in Brooklyn from about He read a poem and sang, and when he was there,
other cultures that all of these things are blended 1989 to 1993,” Melford recalled. “I found as I got the energy level of the other musicians seemed
in together. Only here, because of the illusion of more deeply into these practices that they had a elevated. Pi’s Rosner recalled, “We were excited
intellectualism, our society separates the validity very beneficial impact on my work as a musician. and honored to be able to work with him when
of human expression.” I had a keener sense of awareness of what was he returned to the AEC fold. To be able to see the
Shortly after the release of As If It Were The going on around me on the bandstand and how remaining living members once again record and
Seasons, Jarman joined what then was known to respond in the moment. I was more calm and perform together was a dream come true. The
as the Roscoe Mitchell Art Ensemble. When the alert, and had greater physical endurance for play- October 2017 concert was a beautiful event, and
group decamped for Paris in 1969, a promoter ing high-energy music and a greater sense of how we are grateful to everyone who helped to realize
attached “of Chicago” to the troupe’s name, and energy was moving within me, and between me it. It was a fitting tribute to Joseph and a beauti-
it stuck. Jarman brought theatrical and multime- and the other players and the audience. ful way to close the book on his live performances
dia elements to the group, wearing robes and face “I also began to feel more spiritually connect- and time with the AEC.” —Philip Freeman

22 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 25
The members of Galactic pose inside Tipitina’s, the legendary New Orleans venue that they now own.
From left: Ben Ellman, Jeffrey Raines, Robert Mercurio, Richard Vogel and Stanton Moore.
 During two decades of performing at Tipitina’s, members of Galactic
have amassed an abundance of memories tied to the historic New Orleans venue.

people coming up to us to say something, it was

Last fall, the members of New not, ‘Congratulations.’ It was, ‘Thank you.’”
It’s a Friday afternoon in early January and
Orleans funk band Galactic signed most of the band is seated around a table in a
small office space on the second floor of the
paperwork to buy the historic club. Ellman is nestled between a row of storage
lockers and a pile of old concert posters and fly-
Uptown music club Tipitina’s. ers. The stack includes an ad for a James Booker

T
show from the late ’70s or early ’80s that fea-
he sale made them the venue’s fourth Nine months later, the ups and downs had tures a drawing of the pianist’s smiling face and
owners, putting them at the helm of a become so stressful that Mercurio couldn’t signature eye patch. As Ellman sifts through
local institution that’s played a central sleep. Drummer Stanton Moore recalls hav- the heap, he pauses to inspect a hand-drawn,
role in their musical development—as a band, ing “crazy dreams” about the sale. Local media neon-green poster promoting an array of shows
as individual musicians and as New Orleans reports that Von Kurnatowski faced law- in the month of August, circa the late ’80s:
music fans. The five bandmates began talking suits alleging he had cheated people in a Ponzi Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Marcia Ball,
about the potential purchase back in 2015, after scheme didn’t help matters, particularly after Buckwheat Zydeco and a “Blues Revue” featur-
their manager, Alex Brahl, suggested to owner already having been accused publicly by multi- ing Earl King, Deacon John and J. Monque’D.
Roland Von Kurnatowski that whenever he was ple artists of payment delays for sold-out shows. A Neville Brothers performance (spelled “Thee
ready to sell, he should think of Galactic. Finally, Galactic and Von Kurnatowski Nevilles”) rounds out the month’s bigger acts.
“We all thought he was kind of crazy at first,” reached a deal. When the Nov. 30 closing date The members of Galactic have just wrapped
the band’s bassist, Robert Mercurio, admits. arrived, it still seemed possible that Galactic up a rehearsal for a tour in support of their latest
By February 2018, though, Von would end the day empty-handed. Instead, they studio album, Already Ready Already (Tchoup-
Kurnatowski was ready to sell. For the musi- took ownership of the real estate at 501 Napoleon Zilla). But as they trade anecdotes about the
cians, it felt like the right move, and a bold one: Ave. and the Tipitina’s business, which it has been unexpected “thank you” phenomenon—seem-
to become guardians of a place to which they all associated with for 42 years. Galactic’s roller coast- ingly everyone’s been thanked by complete
felt an undeniable connection. Any romantic er ride wasn’t over: “Of course, within moments of strangers on a neighborhood sidewalk at some
notions about their acquisition of the 800-per- closing, we got word one of the top speakers had point—it’s clear they’re excited about rolling up
son capacity club, however, soon dissipated as just blown,” says pianist Richard Vogel. It was their sleeves and getting to work as Tipitina’s
the group began what Galactic saxophonist starting to feel more manageable, though, and new owners.
Ben Ellman would describe as “a nightmare as news of the sale went public, a tide of gratitude After Moore shares a story about a recent
emotional roller-coaster” of a negotiation pro- rolled in. “thank you” that was hollered through the
cess during which deals were set forth then fell “After we closed and it was official that it rolled-down window of a passing car, trigger-
apart, “sometimes in the same day.” was ours,” Ellman recalls, “[for] the majority of ing a round of laughter, Ellman looks up from

26 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

the posters and smiles.
“You don’t get that when you buy a pizza place,” he says.
“It says a lot about the establishment,” Ellman continues. “And it says a
lot about the fact that, yeah, we have the mortgage and the keys and such,
but we all feel like caretakers. A place that’s got this much history and has
been around for so long, you don’t own it. You just take care of it.”
That history is familiar to many residents of New Orleans: In 1977, a
group of 14 music fans-turned-investors opened Tipitina’s primarily to
give their hero, Professor Longhair (aka Henry Roeland Byrd), a place
to play during the career resurgence he was experiencing at the time.
Previously the 501 Club, named for its address on Napoleon Avenue, the
venue survived a rocky first few months, drawing crowds for shows by
Professor Longhair and The Meters. Eventually, the club became known
for regular appearances by both established and emerging acts, like the
Neville Brothers, Dr. John and The Radiators, among others.
The first owners experimented with different uses for the large space,
including a restaurant and juice bar from which bananas were some-
times given to patrons at the door (hence the venue’s banana logo). Early
on, Tipitina’s also shared the building with Jerry and Walter Brock, who
in 1980 sent out the first WWOZ broadcast from the community radio
station they’d set up in a tiny apartment unit on the second floor, where
they took to dropping a microphone through a hole in the floor to cap-
ture and broadcast live music from the club below.
Galactic has amassed its own arsenal of memories at 501 Napoleon,
having performed there regularly for two decades together and with their
various side projects. During that time, the band’s annual shows on New
Year’s Eve and Halloween, and during Mardi Gras and the New Orleans
Jazz & Heritage Festival, have become major highlights on the city’s music
calendar. All of these special gigs typically sell out.
Individually, each member of the band has his own history with the
iconic yellow building, too, including countless hours spent watch-
ing musical heroes perform. Moore was a teenager when he first played
at Tipitina’s as part of an afternoon music worskshop. Ellman—who
worked in the club’s now defunct kitchen back when he was new to
the city—recalls performing with his klezmer-funk ensemble, the New
Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, during an employee band night.
All of that history has percolated through Galactic’s music for years,
making their new role as “caretakers” of Tipitina’s a natural progression.
Which is not to say that Galactic intends to stick to the status quo.
The venue’s legendary status means that tourists will continue seek it
out, but just like every other venue in New Orleans, it must navigate an
increasingly competitive music market.
Mercurio says the band is pondering plans to present early-evening
jazz sets and other opportunities to utilize the space in more intimate
ways than the “big rock show” vibe that’s been standard in recent years.
Moore, meanwhile, expresses concern about the dearth of original
New Orleans music available these days on Frenchmen Street, where he
sees other clubs booking shows based more on “how many heads they
can get in and how many drinks they can sell.”
The balancing act of keeping a business afloat while also presenting
original, compelling performances will be a key factor as the band takes
a more active role in booking music.
“If you’re going to try something truly different that has no prece-
dent, it’s not something you rush into—you think it through,” says key-
boardist Richard Vogel.
“And we have a staff in place that we respect and trust,” Moore adds.
“We don’t want to book something amazing in here that won’t work for
whatever reason and have nobody show up for it—because that’s not fair
to the musicians.”
“We have a lot of ideas,” Ellman says, “but there are also a lot of peo-
ple involved who have been running this place successfully, who under-
stand the economics of it better than we do.”
In addition to the existing staff, many of whom the band has known

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 27

 Galactic’s latest album, Already Ready Already, features a range of
vocalists, including Erica Falls, who also tours with the band.

and worked with for years while performing at spoof). By 1996, the band had ditched the con- homegoing celebration at Tipitina’s, where
the club, Galactic is leaning on its own manag- dom reference in its name and enlisted Theryl they’d recorded their first live album together
er and agent—as well as each other—during its “Houseman” DeClouet as a featured sing- in 2001.
current brainstorming phase. er. Twenty-odd years their senior, DeClouet’s Galactic’s final recording with DeClouet,
2003’s Ruckus, sparked another key shift for
the band. Having tasked Dan the Automator
with producer duties because of his remix and
‘A place that’s got this much DJ work, they found their own vision for the
album involved a bigger leap into electronic
history and has been around for music than where the Gorillaz producer was
headed. Ellman and Mercurio ultimately fin-
ished producing the album, learning the ropes
so long, you don’t own it. You from Mike Napolitano as they went. The pair
has produced every Galactic album since.
“Ruckus was the first time we had our own
just take care of it.’ —Ben Ellman studio,” Mercurio explains.
As if intuiting the rest of his thought,
Ellman continues: “That creates a whole dif-
It’s the kind of open-minded, people-cen- smooth, r&b-inflected vocals added depth and ferent scenario, not being forced into being in
tric leadership style fans might expect from warmth to the sound of what already was a a rehearsal room and then going into a stu-
Galactic, a rhythm- and groove-driven quintet solid New Orleans-flavored funk band. dio you’ve paid to be in for a specific time.
that long has welcomed outside voices into its Back-to-back spins of the band’s 1996 Instead, it’s at our leisure to work and chip
mix. Whether those voices are instrumental- debut, Coolin’ Off, and its second album, 1998’s away at ideas.”
ists like trumpeter Shamarr Allen, trombonist Crazyhorse Mongoose, suggest the singer’s Ruckus also signaled a move toward what
Corey Henry and percussionist Mike Dillon, or influence extended beyond the tracks on which would become a lasting use of electronics, rang-
the variety of singers with whom the group has he was featured. Within a couple of years, ing from effects pedals and drum phasers to
worked, Galactic has displayed a gift for forging Galactic’s music had started to mature, its the samples and beats that appeared on 2007’s
symbiotic musical relationships. The results are grooves were deeper and its songs were open- From The Corner To The Block. That album
audible, packing new dynamics into the funda- ing up in a more relaxed, soulful way. Time on marked a new level of involvement for Ellman
mental sound they’ve developed during about the road certainly contributed to that growth, and Mercurio as producers.
25 years together. but those recordings and the live performanc- The result was an innovative use of New
The group started out in the early ’90s as es that came between them indicated DeClouet Orleans hip-hop concepts, including those
Galactic Prophylactic (the name of a prod- did, too. long embraced by the brass band communi-
uct in a 1982 Saturday Night Live advertising After his death last year, the band hosted a ty. The organic funk remained while collabo-

28 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

rations with the Soul Rebels (arguably the first regular basis, instead of a 14-song record every Cut,” a song that explores dark subject matter,
brass band to make ’90s hip-hop a cornerstone two or three years.” but which actually had humorous origins.
of its sound) and Digable Planets alum Ladybug Ellman and Mercurio say they sometimes “On the road with the guys, if I would have
Mecca underscored the band’s ability to find find themselves intentionally striving to make some food left over that I wanted to keep,”
inspiration in—and to inspire—outside voices. a song “sound more Galactic” in the stu- Falls says, “I would write on the top of the con-
All the band’s albums since then, including dio. With its swaggering horn lines, Ellman’s tainer, ‘Touch, get cut.’” She laughs.
the tightly wrought, pop-hook laden Already blues-soaked harmonica work and a song “When they were working on this tune, it
Ready Already, have incorporated different structure that keeps the energy moving along- was supposed to be something else, but then
singers and often different styles, while weav- side Miss Charm Taylor’s growl-tinged voice, Ben got the idea to say, ‘Touch, get cut.’ From
ing in New Orleans references, usually in unex- the tune “Clap Your Hands” exemplifies the there, it went to what’s happening with women
pected ways. (Examples include a riff on the Galactic aesthetic. and the #MeToo movement. It was sort of
theme song of New Orleans horror-movie TV “We’re always trying to be better songwrit- under that realm until they brought it to me.
host Morgus the Magnificent and the decision ers,” says Ellman. “We’re trying to write better ... Then I put my own little spin to it, lyrically.
to filter Allen Toussaint’s voice into the song bridges, better choruses. I don’t really think it Later, we came together as a group after work-
“Bacchus” on 2010’s Ya-Ka-May.) used to be as much like, head, solo, head, solo— ing on it separately to match up our ideas for
On the new album, guest contributors the records were always more than that. But the track.”
include the band’s touring vocalist, Erica Falls, we’re always thinking of the song. We have to Other songs on the new album came
plus other New Orleans-based singers, like think of the different singers, the different peo- together more quickly, including “Going
Princess Shaw and Miss Charm Taylor, who ple at the front of the song, and that sometimes Straight Crazy,” featuring Princess Shaw.
put new spins on what Falls calls Galactic’s changes the direction of the song.” Ellman and Mercurio lined up three works in
“well-oiled machine” of a sound. The guests Already Ready Already mines the contem- progress for her to hear and she zeroed in on the
add a fresh feel that never compromises the porary New Orleans music landscape for its one they secretly thought was the best fit.
band’s bright and rhythm-driven ensemble ideas and direction. There’s a funeral reference, “When she heard that one, she got all excit-
voice, which stretches out on instrumental but it’s no traditional jazz funeral. Instead, it’s ed and sang some scratch vocals that sounded
tracks bookending the album (“Already” and the earworm “Dance At My Funeral,” which really close to what the song is now,” Mercurio
“Ready Already”). features a stop-start melody and the vocals of recalls.
Galactic kept things much shorter than Boyfriend, an electro-cabaret rapper with a He adds that he was afraid Moore, who
usual with this album, too. penchant for subversive feminist themes. On sometimes hears material later than other band
“We had 14 or 15 songs,” Ellman explains. this track, Galactic provides the musical light- members, would hate it: “I was certain he was
“We decided to make a really concise album, er fluid, and Boyfriend adds the spark. going to be like, ‘It’s just kicks and snaps, and
the concept being to put out more music on a Falls is featured on the track “Touch Get this sucks,’” Mercurio admits, laughing.

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 29

 Galactic has made a tradition out of playing at Tipitina’s on New Year’s Eve.

“No, hearing that for the first time, I was I like that because everyone knows where the bust of Professor Longhair near the front door
like, ‘Damn, this is great.’ Instantly,” Moore train is going.” of Tipitina’s and outside into the New Year’s
assures him. That certainly was clear when Galactic took Day fog, the members of Galactic started to
When Ellman points out that “Stanton the stage for the first time as the owners of pack up. Family and friends surrounded the
loves the strong hook” (like the one in “Going Tipitina’s for a New Year’s Eve show at the end musicians backstage and in the green room.
Straight Crazy”), Moore explains that he inten- of last year. At the time, they still were rehears- One month prior, the night after the band
tionally has “tried to learn to listen for the ‘big ing songs from the new album. Ellman says in got the keys to Tipitina’s, Ellman and some of
picture’—the song—and not just the drums.” recent years, they’ve “learned the album at the those same friends celebrated by relocating
Over time, Moore says, “I’ve learned to trust end,” making changes as needed for their live their long-running poker night to the middle
the process.” take on the music, likely explaining why “Clap of the venue’s main floor. The club was other-
When it comes to song selection, there is a Your Hands” was the only new tune included in wise empty.
lot of give-and-take among the bandmates. the performance. “It was Sonny [Schneidau] and Jeremy Smith
“Everyone has equal veto power,” says Ellman, Instead, Galactic delved into a wide range and [Adam] Shipley, you know? Three people
who credits the band’s longevity in part on its of material from its catalog, plus a handful of who are Tip’s to-the-soul, people who love the
ability to work within a democratic framework. r&b covers that matched the vibe of the room, place,” Ellman says. His poker buddies’ involve-
That doesn’t just apply to the core band, saying little as band members let the music ment in Tipitina’s runs deep: Schneidau is one
though. Asked what stands out most to her speak for itself. The troupe opened with the of the venue’s 14 co-founders and previous-
about the creative process of her work with brash “Karate” (from the 2012 album Carnivale ly worked as the club’s talent buyer and sound
Galactic, Falls immediately replies, “Everyone Electricos), which saw booming horn figures engineer; Smith and Shipley each have served as
is involved.” shift into a funk-filled spotlight for guitarist the club’s general manager and talent buyer.
Between shows at Tipitina’s, the band will Jeffrey Raines. As the clock struck midnight, “That was first night I locked the place up on
perform at numerous high-profile festivals this the band leaned toward jazz with its take on my own,” Ellman remembers. “I got a lesson
year, including the French Quarter Festival “Auld Lang Syne.” from the GM [Brian Greenberg] on how to turn
(April 11) and the Jazz & Heritage Festival (May From there, the still-swaying audience of off the lights—I didn’t even know where the light
4), both in New Orleans; and the High Sierra celebrants was led back to the ’70s with a cover switches were,” he says with a chuckle. “Usually,
Music Festival, taking place July 4–7 in Quincy, of The Jackson 5 classic “I Want You Back.” we play [poker] next door, but that game was
California. Among the original highlights was the older here. There was a lot of emotion in it for all of us,
But despite the jam band label sometimes tune “Heart Of Steel,” which saw Raines’ sticky in part with them knowing [the club] ended up
ascribed to Galactic, there isn’t a lot of jamming guitar lines punctuated by Mercurio’s stut- in family hands, not with some corporate entity.
that happens when the ensemble gets onstage— ter-stopping bass. Finally, slowing things down ... Anyway, we just set up the game, fired up the
at least not in the sense of extended, winding in the encore, Galactic gave Falls’ voice top bill- PA and had a great night.”
improvisations. ing on a gorgeous finale: a rendition of Ann When asked what songs the poker players
“We are a well-rehearsed unit,” Falls says. Peebles’ “I Can’t Stand The Rain.” selected for the evening, Ellman replies, “New
“That makes it very relaxed onstage. ... And As the sold-out crowd meandered past the Orleans music.” DB

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APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 31
32 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019
On Jan. 5—four days after the 60th anniversary of the revolution in
Cuba—two sons of that island nation, Alfredo Rodríguez and Pedrito
Martinez, found themselves fiddling with wires onstage as an eager
audience awaited their set at the Greenwich Village club Subculture.

P erforming as a duo in support of their new were nothing compared with the complexities of liv-
album, Duologue (Mack Avenue), the pianist ing in—and leaving—their homeland.
and percussionist were setting up amid the “We’re coming from Cuba, where everything is
Winter Jazzfest half-marathon, a typically crowded, a mess,” Rodríguez half-joked in a phone call a
sometimes hectic event. Nonetheless, the overflow week later.
audience at the subterranean nightspot grew restless The set, it turned out, was anything but a mess. By
as the delay dragged on, pushing back the set’s open- the time the two were ready to play, the crowd was more
ing 40 minutes until nearly midnight. than primed. And the musicians did not disappoint,
But Rodríguez and Martinez took it all in stride. delivering a dazzling display that drew on influenc-
Both had traveled far—geographically, culturally, es from American pop to Nigerian Afrobeat to French
personally—to establish themselves as artists in and modernism—all informed by the Cuban experience
citizens of the United States. A few onstage glitches central to their lives.
APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 33
 placed in a detention center. The agents sought

JONATHAN CHIMENE
money, he said, but all he had was his musical
paraphernalia and his story about his prospects
with Jones. Ultimately, he won the agents’ sym-
pathy, and was released after seven hours to con-
tinue his journey.
“They opened their hearts to me,” he recalled.
“The policeman at the airport even called a taxi.
He said, ‘Bring this guy to the border.’” At that
point, he joined other migrants walking across
the bridge to Laredo, where he was granted asy-
lum. He then called Fell, who booked him on
a series of flights to Santa Monica, California.
There, he took up residence in a house with Fell.
“I was just so passionate about my dreams
that I didn’t care about anything,” he said. “I just
Alfredo Rodríguez began his relationship with wanted to start a new life and work with Quincy
Quincy Jones in 2006, when the pair met at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Jones.”
While both musicians are from Havana, they landmark recording, its debt to the larger Cuban The experience is documented in his music—
hail from different worlds. Rodríguez, 33, is culture explicitly was expressed in a middle sec- most directly in 2012’s “Crossing The Border,” a
the son of a prominent balladeer and the prod- tion built on the type of comparsa one might hear slightly frenetic, vaguely dissonant work that
uct of classical conservatories. Martinez, 45, is a during Carnival. By tune’s end, the crowd was in evokes the disorientation he must have felt during
Santería priest who honed his craft on the streets. party mode—making clear why it’s become a sig- the ordeal. Processing those feelings during the
But cultural intermingling in Cuba’s capital nature for Rodríguez, and now the duo. past decade, he’s developed an aesthetic that he
city is hardly unknown and, though they never The emergence of “Thriller” as a duo main- positions as an argument against walls, physical
crossed paths there, they rapidly fostered a sim- stay—it’s one of 11 tunes on the new album—is no and metaphorical, between nations and cultures.
patico relationship when they met in the U.S. accident. The Rod Temperton piece became part Discussing the aesthetic in January during a gov-
Each sat in with the other’s band, they record- of Rodríguez’s songbook after consultation with ernment shutdown related to a border wall pro-
ed together on Rodríguez’s 2014 album, The Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson’s version. posed between the U.S. and Mexico, the argu-
Invasion Parade (Mack Avenue), and in 2017, Jones has become Rodríguez’s champion and a ment gained special resonance.
booked themselves as a duo at St. Louis’ Jazz at producer of his albums, including Duologue. “Everything we do in life is reflected in our
the Bistro. Jones became aware of Rodríguez when he music,” Rodríguez said. “We try to find a balance
“That was when everything started happen- was playing solo at the 2006 Montreux Jazz that talks about unity, about breaking those bar-
ing,” Rodríguez said, relaxing with Martinez Festival. Permitted by the Cuban government riers and borders that we put into life nowadays.”
at their hotel before the Jazzfest gig. Martinez to appear among a group of young musicians at He and Martinez frequently have traversed
added: “We said, ‘Man, let’s take this serious.’” the festival, he performed Cole Porter’s “I Love this musical territory, most recently in Duologue.
That determination has found vivid and var- You” so well that, after meeting Jones at an invita- “We were very focused on having the record
ied expression. At its most expansive, it has tion-only get-together at the mountaintop chalet show who we are and where we came from,”
infused compositions like “Yemayá,” which lit of the festival founder, Claude Nobs, Jones want- Martinez said. “At the same time, we wanted
sparks in a small-group version on Rodríguez’s ed to sign him. people to feel that we live in the United States. We
2016 album, Tocororo (Mack Avenue), but But, after returning home, he found that the have absorbed the music of a lot of cultures and
exploded at Jazzfest, where the duo format state of political relationships between Cuba incorporated them into the way we play. So, the
increased exponentially the possibilities for pat- and the U.S. wouldn’t allow it: “We tried to do a sound of the record is global, not just local.”
terned interplay. As the two musicians played record deal. He tried to bring me to the States. We To be sure, the duo’s Afro-Cuban origins are
off each other, the tension waxed, waned and couldn’t do anything. That’s why I made the diffi- at the heart of things. The album opens with a
waxed again, before they segued into sprawling cult decision to cross the border.” straightforward ode to Africa and closes with
solo turns. Martinez, commanding his congas, Eleven years after Martinez found refuge in one to Cuba—an artifact of the sequencing that,
cajon, hi-hat and cymbals, fashioned a tapestry the States, staying over following a tour with sax- while unintended, is telling. The opener, “Africa,”
of spiraling polyrhythms; Rodríguez, on acoustic ophonist Jane Bunnett, Rodríguez defected by a combines Yoruba chants with Nigerian Afrobeat
piano, wove lyrical intimations of Debussy into more circuitous route. The odyssey, which took and a plaintive appeal rendered by Martinez
the Afro-Cuban sonic fabric. The performance place in January 2009, began in Mérida, Mexico, in Spanish: “Oye, que Africa te quiero cantar”
prompted multiple ovations. where he was performing with his father. While (“Hey, Africa, I want to sing to you”). The album
More concise, but equally well received, was there, he phoned Adam Fell, of Quincy Jones closer wistfully issues its own assertion: “Yo
“Duologue”—an artfully organized mélange of Productions. Volveré” (“I Will Return”). Cuba, the lyrics show,
disparate melodies attached to shifting Afrobeat, “I said, ‘I might be able to do it,’” Rodríguez is the intended destination.
funk and timba rhythms. Dispatched in fewer recalled. “He said, ‘If you make it to the States, The album salutes the bond between Cuba
than three minutes, the tune, which grew out of we’re going to sign you.’” Jones, in an email, con- and Brazil in “Estamos Llegando” (“We Are
a spontaneous colloquy between Rodríguez and firmed that the offer had been made. Coming”) by way of a samba-like interlude. And
Martinez, was executed with precision in a poin- Rodríguez, scared and lacking knowledge of in its synthesis of timba with rock, funk and
tillistic style. immigration law, hopped a flight from Mérida even gospel, “Thriller” nails the connection with
So, too, was “Thriller.” Buoyed by a sharply to Nuevo Laredo, a Mexican border town. From America.
punctuated timba beat and sprinkled with judi- there, he planned to cross into Laredo, Texas. Rodríguez said he first approached that tune
ciously placed references to Michael Jackson’s Instead, he was arrested by Mexican agents and at Jones’ behest. “Quincy said, ‘Since you’re

34 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 35
 one who’s looking for more. Even though he’s 85
MARK ROBBINS

years old, he’s always getting involved in what’s

happening right now. I wasn’t always like that
when it comes to business. I was always passion-
ate about the music and thinking just about the
music.”
Jones, in his email, noted Rodríguez’s capaci-
ty for developing both the artistic and business
sides of his career: “This kid has got his left and
right brain together, and you can tell the dif-
ference between those who do and those who
don’t. He has expanded the breadth of his musi-
cal tastes, and the contrast is absolutely apparent
in his earlier and later works. It’s simply beauti-
ful. He has broken out of his shell and whether
it’s incorporating some Cuban timba sauce on a
piano lick, or adding a bit of spice to a jazz fusion
record, he has got the chops!”
Rodríguez’s relationship with Jones has
yielded many highs, including a 2015
Grammy nomination for his arrangement of
“Guantanamera,” off The Invasion Parade, which
Jones coproduced. But even as Rodríguez makes
his mark in the States, he seeks greater recog-
Unlike Rodríguez, Pedrito Martinez has returned to play in Cuba. nition in his native land. Though he regular-
ly returns to Cuba as a visitor, he has not played
doing all these timba versions of songs that are before they headed into the studio, Los Angeles- there since defecting—declining an invitation to
very famous, why don’t you do one of Michael based Rodríguez began sending rough demos appear at International Jazz Day.
Jackson’s?’” The result was a bracing bit of pia- to New Jersey-based Martinez—the lead sing- “Cuba will never tell you that you cannot
nism, taped at his Los Angeles home with little er and lyric-writer on all but two of the origi- play,” he said. “They make you understand you’re
augmentation but a rhythm machine and some nals, Rodríguez’s delicate “Flor” (“Flower”) and not welcome. I’m defending my roots all over. But
household spoons. Loaded on YouTube, the “Mariposa” (“Butterfly”). for the government, it’s like I’m a traitor. That’s
video went viral. “When he sent me the melodies, they were crazy.”
Since then, the tune has become part of his very structured already,” Martinez recalled. “I Unlike Rodríguez, Martinez has returned to
solo and trio sets. He even performed an orches- said, ‘The way you write melodies is so fresh and play in Cuba, albeit as a sideman, as recently as
tral arrangement, by Jules Buckley of the beautiful. At the same time, you feel the pain. It’s, January. “Every time I go back, things are get-
Netherlands’ Metropole Orkest, in Budapest like, sad in a good way. It brings back so many ting better and better,” he said. With Cuba hav-
with John Clayton conducting. Closer to home, memories.’” ing survived recent political transitions with-
the video’s admirers included Martinez: “I said Before laying down the tracks—recording out bloodshed—for the first time in 60 years, it is
right away, ‘That song has to be on the record.’” took place between May 29 and June 1, 2018, at the led by someone other than a Castro—the future
Jones, in the email, offered high praise for Lair Studio in Los Angeles—the two musicians seems an open question.
both the interpreter and the interpretation: “It’s met for a week of rehearsals. And that’s when But at the moment, Rodríguez said, “It’s com-
absolutely beautiful to see it played by my broth- arrangements were hammered out. They share plicated. It’s difficult for us to understand the sit-
er Alfredo, one of the greatest piano players of all credit on writing and arranging throughout. uation in our own country.” So, he stays focused
time! Alfredo always knows how to add his own Jones, who was privy to the demos as they on matters at hand. The duo has engagements
personal flavor to every piece of music he touch- were rolled out and shares a production cred- booked through May in the States and Canada,
es, and this is no exception!” it with Rodríguez and Martinez, was not a con- including stops at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in
Beyond such hyper-stimulating fare, the col- stant presence in the studio. Still, he offered guid- Santa Cruz, California, the New Orleans Jazz
lection ranges from the sweet and simple (“Cosas ance, from choice of keys to length of songs and & Heritage Festival and Stratus Vineyards in
Del Amor,” or “Things Of Love,” dedicated to less tangible aspects of the process crucial to art- Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. In preparation
Martinez’s wife) to the unabashedly folkloric (“El ists who come from an economic and political for those dates and others, Rodríguez said he was
Punto Cubano,” or “The Cuban Point,” a nostal- system different from that of the U.S. planning to expand the duo’s sonic palette, add-
gic nod to the farm workers who made up the eco- “Those tips made the difference,” Martinez ing digital bass lines to the mix—and to do what
nomic and emotional backbone of “dear Cuba”). said, citing Rodríguez’s savvy as well. “This it takes to integrate this change to the satisfaction
That tune, written by Reutilio Domínguez and record changed so many things in my percep- of his long-distance music partner.
Celina González, is one of three covers on the tion. Alfredito is playing music and thinking “When we go onstage,” he said, “we’re play-
album and the only one whose arrangement hews about many things at the same time: the video, ing our lives—the way we grew up, the way we
closely to the original. (In addition to “Thriller,” how we’re going to dress, how it’s going to look. think. All the positive and negative things that
the other cover is “Super Mario Bros 3,” the vid- He’s always producing things in his mind.” happen in our life, we translate into musical
eo-game theme by Kouji Kondou.) The pianist, for his part, was quick to sounds. So, it’s very important for me and Pedro
For the originals, the writing process was a acknowledge Jones. “My inspiration for that to find a brotherhood, musically and non-musi-
highly collaborative one that involved much came from Quincy,” he said. “I’ve been work- cally, so that we can keep building that relation-
bicoastal communication. Three or four months ing in the States 10 years. Quincy’s always some- ship, so the music will be stronger.” DB

36 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 37
By Dan Ouellette
Photo by
Steven Sussman

T
rue concept records come from a differ- releasing three albums—Whispers And Cries
ent place—the heart, the soul, the deep (Red Piano Records), a duo session with pia-
doubts and the exhilarating discoveries. nist Frank Carlberg; his Criss Cross Jazz quar-
It’s all about exploring and attacking. tet debut, Genuinity; and Chopin Project
That resides as the wellspring of the music (Connections Works Records) by Dead
created by Noah Preminger. After topping Composers Club, a collaboration with drum-
the category Rising Star–Tenor Saxophone in mer Rob Garcia. For the latter, Preminger dug
the 2017 DownBeat Critics Poll, Preminger into Chopin’s preludes, phoned Garcia in the
entered into a prolific phase, raising his pro- middle of the night, and then the two fash-
file as a bandleader. This year, he will deliver ioned an ongoing project devoted to the music
three albums of intriguingly diverse material: of composers who have passed. Next up for
an examination of the works of film director the Dead Composers Club? Right now, it’s a
Otto Preminger; a sonic contemplation of the coin toss between the eclectic oeuvre of gui-
afterlife, accompanied by poetry; and, perhaps tarist/vocalist Frank Zappa and the chants of
the most challenging, an intrepid tenor flight 11th-century nun Hildegard von Bingen.
through a dense maze of unpredictable elec- Preminger is in perpetual motion nowa-
tronic ebullience. days. The 32-year-old, currently living in
In 2018, Preminger also scored a trifecta, Boston, sounds a bit worn out from the slog.

38 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 39
 tive. “My great-grandfather and Otto were sup-

JIMMY KATZ
posed to have been first cousins,” he explained.
“But most of the people who knew for sure were
dead. But my grandmother, who died last week,
told me that Jack Preminger and Otto were first
cousins and grew up in a town called Czernowitz
in the Austria-Hungary empire.”
Several years ago Preminger got the idea to
interpret some of Otto’s soundtrack music and
then compose his own scores based on his films.
He watched more than 15 movies to come up
with four pieces based on movie themes and four
original compositions. He got the green-light
from Newvelle after finding success with his 2016
recording for the label, Some Other Time.
Tracks include the Americana-tinged theme
from the 1954 film River of No Return (star-
ring Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum),
which opens with a tenor flight and riveting
Among his numerous projects, Noah Preminger has written and bass solo. “I love the opening credits to the film,”
recorded music based on the films of a distant relative, director Otto Preminger.
Preminger said. “It was the perfect arrangement
for me. It’s like a country folk song with the prai-
“I feel like things are missing musically for me,” Preminger stressed that for a project to be a rie, cowboys.” Another standout is a quiet piece
he said, sipping a dark beer in the West Village good fit, all the cards need to be perfectly lined Preminger wrote for the 1953 classic Stalag 17, a
watering hole Kettle of Fish in mid-December. up; otherwise, it’s too strenuous and not enjoy- tale of two prisoners of war trying to escape, but
“Boston has been great after living in Barcelona able. “Most importantly, the music has to be sat- are shot down outside the World War II prison
for two years. It’s been nice and easy, but I don’t isfying,” he said. “You can only play so loud and camp. (Otto didn’t direct, but had an acting role
find many people to play with. After four years so intense and with so much passion. Then it’s cut as the arrogant Colonel von Scherbach.)
there, I’m thinking of moving back to New York, off.” Not one to mince words, Preminger reflect- For Preminger’s originals, he watched the
even though I struggled in the eight years I lived ed on John Coltrane’s short career: “I understand films and isolated scenes or movements, which he
here before. The day-to-day lifestyle wasn’t doing why Trane ended when he ended, because writ- wrote for. He’d hit “mute” and replay scenes until
it for me.” ing chord changes and melodies and blowing on he had written melodic motifs on piano. On the
Preminger suddenly brightens when discuss- them becomes not fun anymore. There’s only a haunting “For Bunny Lake Is Missing” (inspired
ing the first episode of his three-day recording certain point you can get to, a certain point when by the 1965 thriller Bunny Lake Is Missing),
sessions for an album tentatively titled Zigzaw: you can’t scream that loud anymore. Trane really, Preminger focused on a scene in which a child is
The Music Of Steve Lampert, which he plans to really lived the music, but couldn’t do it anymore. ripped away from a swing set. He also composed
release later this year. It’s a collaboration with He couldn’t find where else to go. That’s the end. a sober piece, “For Laura,” based on a scene from
Lampert, a trumpeter and electronic music com- It doesn’t go on forever.” the 1944 classic. “I love the song from the film,
poser. “It’s my 15th as a leader, and it’s been going Even though Preminger isn’t fully satisfied, but I decided to go for something better,” he said.
awesome,” Preminger said. “Steve, who is a stu- career-wise, these days, bring up another special Another piece was inspired by the 1962 polit-
dent of [the late composer] Elliott Carter, wrote project, and he beams. Case in point: the soulful, ical drama Advise & Consent, with Preminger
all this music for me, and it’s serious stuff. It’s the sensitive Preminger Plays Preminger, released by writing two sections—one for the women who
hardest saxophone melody in my life.” the vinyl-only label Newvelle Records and fea- were in a judicial chamber of a government build-
An alumnus of New England Conservatory turing an all-star cast, including his regular bass- ing and the other for men “who looked sneaky
of Music who earned both undergrad and mas- ist Kim Cass and two newcomers to his record- and suspect,” he said. “It goes back and forth
ter’s degrees there, Preminger plays robust tenor ing history: pianist Jason Moran and drummer from one section to the other with me improvis-
with angular flair, emotional intensity and Marcus Gilmore. “I need to be passionate about a ing first on [music representing] the women and
genre-blending authority. He’s shared the stage project,” Preminger said. “This was another con- then Jason expressing the attitudes of the men.”
with Cecil McBee, John McNeil, Billy Hart, Fred cept, another direction. And overall, it was some- The best Preminger Plays Preminger track is
Hersch and George Cables, among others, and thing to do that was fun.” an upbeat arrangement of “Way Early Subtone”
made his mark as an upstart with a pair of criti- The saxophonist’s connection to Otto by Duke Ellington, from 1959’s Anatomy of a
cally acclaimed albums for Palmetto. He contin- Preminger has been a subject of personal intrigue Murder. Moran sprinkles notes then pounces on
ued following his muse while developing his sin- for years, ever since Ran Blake approached him the keys while engaging in conversations with the
gular voice as saxophonist and composer. during his first term at NEC. “Ran greeted me on rest of the group. “That’s a special one,” Preminger
“I have a weird career,” Preminger said. the front steps,” he said. “He told me, ‘Noah, I’ve said. “Jason was familiar with the film, so he was
“Critics seem to like what I do. I get great reviews, been waiting for you.’ But he was disappointed fantastic. I never send music before a recording
and I’m often in the list of top records of the year. when I told him that I was unfamiliar with Otto’s session, but he just came in and hit it.”
But my straw is not the one that’s drawn for work. films. At that point, I was only 18.” “That song has jumped into the jazz canon,”
I don’t get the opportunity to play that much. I Blake inspired Preminger to begin exploring Moran said. “It just lives in my hands, and I was
have limitations—in terms of how other musi- Otto’s work. First, he learned that the director able to collaborate with everyone to connect the
cians play in wonderful bands on a regular basis was a horrible person who treated women and sounds to the images.” Moran met Preminger
and get to travel and perform. For me, it’s OK, crew members in misogynist ways. Then he dug when the saxophonist was studying for his mas-
though. I’m on a different path.” deeper to discover that Otto was a distant rela- ter’s degree at NEC; the two clicked. “We had

40 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

lessons together, and I also formed an ensemble playing Andrew Hill Lampert, reluctant to share unmixed work, offered an invitation to his
music that he was in.” Moran said. “I remember Noah telling me about apartment in Chelsea to hear the opening section of the piece. It features
his Preminger album idea, so I’m glad he finally realized it. I’m into people expansive playing with the electronic background being a blowup of
addressing the sound of their families.” Preminger’s melodic part. There are electronic droplets that lead to exclam-
Having composed music for the films Selma (2014) and 13th (2016), atory tenor punctuation. Preminger plays in a deep tone, then there are high
Moran enjoys connecting to narrative elements through music. “It’s a cap- bleeps. The music has a feel of splash and dash. “I know how ridiculously
tivating experience,” he said. “It’s been a real study, a real practice for me in hard this music is to play,” Lampert said. “But I checked in with Noah all the
the past 10 years. The way Noah approached this took him into uncharted way through. He knew what he was getting into.”
territory. He did a lot of exploring.” Preminger is impressed by Lampert’s assimilation of post-tonal classi-
In the shadow of the Preminger release, the saxophonist was finishing cal music, modern jazz, funk, percussive r&b and hip-hop: “This is so dif-
up After Life, an unconventional work that addresses an unusual question: ferent than anything else in jazz. The way Steve composes doesn’t just move
What will humans see after death? Criss Cross Jazz owner/producer Gerry the music forward, but it surrounds you; it circles in and out like an eight.”
Teekens had forged a relationship with the saxophonist after photographer/ Preminger’s conversation with DownBeat concluded with a discussion
recording engineer and frequent DownBeat contributor Jimmy Katz had about politics. The saxophonist drew a lot of attention for his weighty con-
recommended him. The first Criss Cross Jazz album was with a quartet, but cept album, Mediations On Freedom, which was recorded a month after the
Teekens requested that the follow-up be a quintet date. Preminger assem- 2016 presidential election. It was released on the day of President Trump’s
bled a band with his longtime trumpeter Jason Palmer, Cass on bass, Rudy 2017 inauguration. Accompanied by bassist Cass, trumpeter Palmer and
Royston on drums and the rising-star guitarist Max Light. drummer Ian Froman, Preminger offers renditions of songs by Bob Dylan,
After Life features new originals that come from a strange place. “I have Bruce Hornsby, Sam Cooke and George Harrison, as well as his own
this fucked-up existential anxiety,” Preminger said. “I don’t have a fear of socially aware tunes like “We Have A Dream,” “Mother Earth,” “Women’s
dying, but I’m interested in what happens after. I’m visual. I was hoping this March” and “Broken Treaties.”
would help me personally to psychologically deal with this. I came up with “I’m a news junkie,” he said. “Every morning I get up and stream
descriptions of the worlds we may go to. It’s total sci-fi shit. I wrote down ideas MSNBC on my phone. I love [TV host] Rachel Maddow and obviously I
and composed based on them. Then I asked my poet friend Ruth Lepson to hate Donald Trump. I decided to record a protest album; I released it fast.
take my descriptions and write new poems to be used in the liner notes.” I thought it would be important to make a record about the freedoms we
The music is a reflective mix of sober balladry and uptempo swirls with may be losing.”
austere themes. “Nothing World” contemplates uncertainty, with As for his present activism, Preminger, who teaches in the Boston area,
Lepson introducing her poem through a quote by philosopher Arthur has given free lessons to a student whose father died due to a lack of afford-
Schopenhauer, “We can regard our life as a uselessly disturbing episode in able health care options. “It makes me want to be better for people through
the blissful repose of nothingness,” and then concluding with her own line: my teaching,” he said. “I want to inspire young people to play. And at the
“Without anything, it’s the most.” The tune opens with bass lines in a slow end of the day, maybe I do play more passionately when I’m pissed.” DB
tempo and then shifts into bleak beauty as Preminger plays a melody that
soon is joined by trumpet. There’s a funereal feel to it. And the same holds
true for the somber “Warehouse World,” with lyrics about painful wrig-
gling along “the moldy endless warehouse floor.”
On the opposite end of the sonic spectrum is “World Of Hunger,” which
features a frenzy of tenor and trumpet maneuvers. It opens with this line:
“When you were born again, a gold star appeared in the sky,” and closes
with the somber blast of “Half the world was going hungry/ It was kind of
like when you were alive/ Kind of a guy thing.”
Teekens scheduled an additional period of two months for the mixing
and the melding of the poetry. Overall, did Preminger find the project
cathartic? “No,” he replied. “The reality is that we are all going to die. It’s
terrifying.”
One particularly life-affirming experience has been navigating the
complexity of his Zigzag sessions with Lampert, who first met Preminger at
a trio show in a storefront church in Greenwich Village nine years ago. He
was catching up with his old friend, drummer Jeff Hershfield, and saying
hello to guitarist Ben Monder. “The group was led by this young guy who I
didn’t know,” Lampert said. “But when he played his first phrase and then
a second, I could tell the depth of his musicianship combined with a deep
tenor sound.”
Preminger and Lampert became fast friends. Last year, Preminger
asked Lampert to write new material for an acoustic ensemble that includ-
ed Cass, Royston, Palmer, alto saxophonist John O’Gallagher, pianist Kris
Davis and Rob Schwimmer playing a Haken Continuum controller/synthe-
sizer. “The music is one piece in 13 sections with the band playing at the
same time, but linked through 12-tone harmony and metric modulation,
combining many different genres of music in one,” Preminger said. “It’s a
mishmash of synths, electronics and an acoustic jazz group layering. It’s
essentially two bands. It’s a dream, working on a melody that is introduced
at the beginning. Each part has a fantasy section and an open improvisation
where different musicians blow together. It’s challenging and beautiful.”

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 41

Rhiannon Giddens (left), Allison Russell,
Leyla McCalla and Amythyst Kiah

42 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 h e r s e l f become
o n G i d d e ns f e e ls m u sic; the
h i an n g h i s
c e r t a i n s o ng s , R e r s s p e ak throu t h e ear thly
s i n g s s e n g f r o m
Wh e n s h e e d i u m he r m e s o r s l o n g p as s e d y i n chains,
T h e m n c e s t o u n t r
an oracle
.
s a y s , are her a b r o u g h t to t hi s c p ut babies
r s , s h e i c a — m a n d
m e s s e ng e d a u g h t e r s o f Afr m , m u t i l a te d t h e
ey are e
plane. Th o e n slaved th
b y w h i t e men w h
t h e m o n ce born.
owned
e l l i e s o n l y to s e l l
b
in to t h e ir APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 43
 tion for African American artists,” she said, an

©MARK SHELDON
Rhiannon Giddens co-produced
the new album Songs Of
Our Native Daughters. interest that is reflected on her 2017 solo album,
Freedom Highway (Nonesuch).
“The banjo is from West Africa,” Giddens
noted, “and it was black people who first played
banjo music in America, which is a theme we
explored with Freedom Highway.”
The project featured original compositions
by Giddens, along with covers, including the title
track, a version of the Staples Singers’ civil rights
anthem. Giddens is more than a gifted fiddler
and banjoist; her work “introducing new audi-
ences to the black banjoists and fiddlers whose
influences have been left out of popular narra-
tives of the lineage of folk and country music”
earned her a 2017 MacArthur fellowship.
First brought to America through the musi-
cal traditions of West African slaves in the
1600s, the banjo “was known as a purely black
instrument until it became the centerpiece of
American popular music by the second-third of
the 19th century in the hands of the white play-
These black women endured the inhumane Mama’s in a tree/ And she won’t come down/ ers,” Giddens writes in the liner notes for Songs
horror of the American slavery system. Giddens Mama’s flyin’ free/ And she can’t come down.” Of Our Native Daughters. White people co-opt-
believes they speak through her voice because The new album is intended as an examina- ed the instrument, incorporating it into one of
their own voices have never truly been heard. tion of and testament to the resilient strength America’s most beloved pastimes: the grotesque-
“I’ve been writing songs based on slave narra- of black Americans, especially black women, ly racist minstrel shows.
tives for six or seven years,” said Giddens in the Giddens said: “History shows us that black peo- Giddens writes: “American minstrelsy
first frigid days of this year. After reading the per- ple have rarely had agency in this country. From became its own unique and wildly popular phe-
sonal stories of enslaved black women, Giddens the beginning, when Africans were first brought nomenon with the addition of the banjo, humor
began composing sketches of songs that reflected here, there was little-to-no opportunity for them and the broad parody of enslaved Americans of
the unimaginable pain of their experiences. as individuals to shape their lives and choose African descent by largely working-class white
“There was a voice that’s trying to get their destinies. men.”
through; there were spirits speaking as the songs “For black women, that went doubly so, In this way, the banjo’s origin in African
came out. [This music] is heavy; it takes a toll. because you also have an entire history of sex- stringed instruments, like the akonting—and its
You can’t sing these songs any old time,” Giddens ual violence against them, their bodies literal- association to black people and black music—
explained. ly used as breeding factories. But through all of was all but erased from the nation’s collective
Many such songs are featured on the new that, there is an incredible legacy of black creativ- memory.
album Songs Of Our Native Daughters ity and brilliance; they always found a way for “Performing at folk festivals, where we were
(Smithsonian Folkways), a collaborative proj- their souls to shine through.” often the only black people present, I kept hearing
ect helmed by Giddens and co-created with art- Assembling a group of black women, all of about black people’s ‘contributions’ to American
ists Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla and Allison whom make art in musical spaces often thought music,” Giddens said. “No. What the Chocolate
Russell. The album was produced by Giddens of as predominantly “white”—such as folk, old- Drops demonstrate, and what [Songs Of Our
and Dirk Powell, a banjoist and fiddler who is time and Americana—was a strategic deci- Native Daughters] demonstrates, is that black
revered in Americana circles. sion Giddens made, one designed to correct people are integral to American music. We have
The harrowing song “Mama’s Crying Long” entrenched narratives about roots music and its been fueling constant cultural innovation for
is, according to Giddens, based on “a narra- origins. hundreds of years. There is no American music
tive that I read years ago, and the song just came “When I co-founded the [Carolina] without black people, so why is there this percep-
through me. I don’t like to say I wrote it, because Chocolate Drops around 13 years ago, things tion that folk music, roots music, America’s first
really, it was given to me.” were much less ‘progressive,’” Giddens said. The forms of music, are strange spaces for black art-
The lyrics depict a horrific scene: “All the men Grammy-winning string-band trio consist- ists to be?”
have come/ And they brought the rope/ They came ed of Giddens, co-founder and banjoist Dom Songs Of Our Native Daughters sets the
here for Mama/ And they brought the rope.” Flemons and fiddler Justin Robinson. Because record straight with a powerful quartet of black
In call-and-response style, Giddens sings the all the musicians are African American, the women who play banjos, fiddles and acoustic
melody, her voice strong and clear, vibrato band bucked expectations of what American folk guitars. McCalla, Kiah and Russell all are soulful
notes trailing off each phrase. McCalla, Kiah music sounded—and looked—like. (The band, singers who blend genres. The four artists were
and Russell answer her, singing as one body in which experienced some personnel changes over fans of each other’s work when Giddens brought
low, throaty voices. The only accompaniment is years, would go on to win the category Beyond them all together for a stage-shaking perfor-
Giddens’ hand-clapping and a recurring series Artist or Group in the 2011 DownBeat Critics mance at the 2018 Cambridge Folk Festival,
of drum beats by percussionist Jamie Dick. The Poll.) where she was the event’s guest curator.
tune’s tempo is moderately fast; save for its har- “Much of what is deemed folk music has its “We all came to this discovery that we’d been
rowing lyrics, it might tempt listeners to dance. roots in Africa and African American tradition. moving through these spaces separately,”
“Mama’s in a tree/ And she can’t come down/ I am obsessed with banjo as a tool of reclama- Giddens recalled. “But when we came togeth-

44 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

er, we gave each other power.” Shortly thereafter, Giddens believes that even though the new this day, and how Haiti’s history connects to New
Giddens fleshed out the concept for the album, album has its origins in U.S. history, the project Orleans and black people worldwide, has greatly
and then she reached out to the artists. is also a sign of our current times. impacted my perspective on why I make music,
Kiah, a Tennessee-born singer-songwriter “There is a movement of women of color who and also my worldview, in general.”
steeped in country, blues and gospel, was “floored are saying, ‘Wait, wait, wait: I’m not sitting back Each woman’s identity also factored into
and very moved” when Giddens asked her to and taking this anymore. You are going to hear what she brought to the record’s collaborative
participate. me.’ These women are expressing an agency process and influenced how they related to each
“I really enjoyed digging into different over their bodies and minds that they could not other.
aspects of [the] sociopolitical history of African express before. I see it in TV, in movies, in music, “I grew up mixed in the South,” said Giddens,
Americans with this project,” she said. “I’m here in politics—it’s happening. Now is better than the daughter of a black mother and white father
in the present, I’m alive and able to write these ever to address these things. It’s been needed; it’s who raised her in the rolling hill country of
songs, because of the pain and suffering of these overdue.” North Carolina’s third-biggest city, Greensboro.
“You quickly become used to adjusting, and see-

‘I AM OBSESSED WITH BANJO AS A

ing how to move in every place that you go. I’ve
always been adept at seeing multiple sides of
issues, and that helped in birthing this album.”
The minstrel tunes, for example, are “on the sur-

TOOL OF RECLAMATION FOR AFRICAN face, awful. Racist and awful and ugly. But min-
strel music is also America’s earliest music, so
there’s this dichotomy of black people being the

AMERICAN ARTISTS.’ — RHIANNON GIDDENS

creators of this music, but then having it used as a
weapon against their dignity and image. My goal
is to explore both of those aspects, and pull from
it all the beauty and wisdom that I can.”
people who came before me. What better way to The album’s content also was shaped by the “Black people live with the legacy of slavery in
give back, to honor that history of struggle, than setting in which it was recorded. After co-writ- our bones and in our genes,” McCalla said.
to tell their stories?” ing their songs in the Lafayette house, the women “Other people live with it in their minds, but
Kiah co-wrote three of the songs on the recorded them at The Cypress House, Powell’s we live with that trauma in our very being, and,
album: “Black Myself,” “Blood And Bones” and studio, a structure built in 1850 located just a few because racism is still so rampant, we are not
“Polly Ann’s Hammer.” The four women gath- miles away in Breaux Bridge and about two hours always seen for who we are.” Describing an inci-
ered in Lafayette, Louisiana, and shared a rental from New Orleans. dent in which a clothing store clerk followed her
home for about 12 days, fusing their creative pro- “Being in New Orleans has had a huge impact around, McCalla said, “I thought to myself, ‘I
cesses and minds through the music. on all of my work,” said McCalla, who has lived have a degree in classical cello. I’m not trying to
“It was my first time co-writing with other in the city since 2010 and is a former member of steal a shirt.’ If I looked a different way, people
songwriters. I have always been hesitant to the Carolina Chocolate Drops. “I feel like it has would treat me in a different way. That awareness
co-write, because of my intimidation,” Kiah been a big lens for me to understand the values filters into the music.”
admitted. “But at that time, I couldn’t think of that this country was founded on, and the con- Russell, who hails from Canada, had been
a better way to get over my hang-ups than to go flict between our values and our actions.” studying her family’s roots when Giddens
through this process with these women. ... To Equality and justice were not meant for approached her about the project.
be able to get in a room and talk to each other everyone when America first defined itself, “[My family’s ancestral research] got as far
about our experiences as black women in the McCalla continued: “I feel like that reverberates back as a bill of sale for the matriarch of our fam-
Americana music world, and the situations that today—there is absolutely no doubt about it. And ily, off the coast of Ghana.” Inspired by this wom-
we’ve faced. It was the first time that we’ve been you see it in a city like New Orleans, where there an’s incredible story of survival—“she was sold
able to talk about that.” is gross inequality and poverty, and black people away from the only world she’d ever known,
“Polly Ann’s Hammer” is an imagined epi- get the brunt of it.” she survived the transatlantic crossing, she sur-
logue to the legendary tale of John Henry, said The album reflects New Orleans’ tie to vived birthing several children, she survived
Russell, who co-wrote it with Kiah. Haitian culture and Afro-Caribbean identi- a life of enslavement”—Russell wrote a song a
“Everybody knows the story of John Henry, ty, too, through “Lavi Difisil,” a swinging, light- in her matriarch’s honor and named it for her:
this incredibly powerful black man,” Russell said. hearted tune penned by McCalla and Russell as a “Quasheba, Quasheba.”
“[The folk song’s lyrics have] a cast-off line about tribute to troubadour Althiery Dorval. Pregnant The album’s title is a reference to Notes of a
his woman, Polly Ann, but you never hear about with twins at the time of recording, McCall Native Son, by James Baldwin (1924–’87). In one
her again. It made me think of how so many black played tenor banjo on “Lavi Difisil,” and sang of the book’s essays, “Many Thousands Gone,”
women’s stories haven’t been told, and that we’ve the lyrics partly in Haitian Creole. It is, she said, Baldwin writes: “It is only in his music ... that the
had to write our own history in a way.” the language of her ancestors—and of a people’s Negro in America has been able to tell his story.
Scholars don’t agree on whether John Henry resistance. It is a story which otherwise has yet to be told and
was a real person, and if he was, where his match “For me, it goes back to the Haitian which no American is prepared to hear.”
against the machine took place. What was abso- Revolution. Haiti was the first nation to enact a Baldwin’s potent words, said Giddens, are as
lutely clear to Kiah and Russell was Polly Ann’s successful slave rebellion and to declare its inde- true today as they were when he wrote them in
critical, but downplayed, role in his narrative. pendence from French colonialism,” McCalla 1955. Songs Of Our Native Daughters adds con-
“We had this idea that Polly Ann was the said. “[Haiti’s] sovereignty was never expect- text and sound to the complex story of black
hero of the song,” Russell said. “She wielded the ed by the European world powers, or the U.S. It Americans, a story that all people could learn
hammer for John Henry when he was sick, reared was the ‘black sheep’ of independent nations. ... from and connect to. “I hope this music finds
their kids and survived to tell the story.” Understanding how that has damaged Haiti to whoever needs it,” Giddens said. DB

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 45

 Masterpiece +++++ Excellent ++++ Good +++ Fair ++ Poor +
Inside
52 / Jazz
56 / Blues
58 / Beyond
60 / Historical
62 / Books
MICHAEL WOODALL

Joey DeFrancesco’s In The Key Of The Universe

is marked by a strain of passion that prioritizes grace.

Joey DeFrancesco Though there’s plenty of bounce and swing

in play throughout the 10-track program,
Roberts came into play. The saxophonist has a
key role here, as well, bringing eloquence to his
In The Key Of The Universe DeFrancesco’s self-professed embrace of spir- nuanced solos on “Vibrations In Blue” and “A
MACK AVENUE 1147
itual jazz employs the kind of contemplative Path Through The Noise,” and tastefully echo-
++++ aura that gave so many of yesteryear’s explor- ing Trane when bolstering the music’s search-
Pop-centric music sites make room for reviews atory efforts their personality. Functionally, it ing quality. There’s a sobriety to his work, identi-
of ancient Impulse! reissues, Kamasai can come from the use of dreamy long tones and fiable even on the boppish ditty “It Swung Wide
Washington reignites the concept of soul- pensive phrasings. At several points here, a sim- Open,” where DeFrancesco returns to the kind
groove expressionism as both prayer book and mering heat, rather than a roiling squall, shapes of barn-burning romp that earned him his rep.
political manifesto, and writers measure the the record’s temperament. A bit less predict- When Sanders and Roberts’ horns blow
breadth, value and impact of “cosmic” improv able than previous groove-fueled DeFrancesco side by side on the title track (which sounds
in pieces that dot the internet. The fire music discs, In The Key Of The Universe is marked by like it could be pinched from McCoy Tyner’s
that certain maestros conjured during the late a strain of passion that prioritizes grace. Even songbook), the air gets thick. And the
’60s is enjoying a heyday, and its trickle-down the emotions that Sanders reveals during “And bookend solos of the elder’s pithy excursion,
is having a bit more reach than even its most So It Is” are refined, their gravitas bolstered by and the keyboardist’s curt stroll, are a sweet
ardent supporters might have imagined. a fierce rendering of lines, not a tempest of mul- intergenerational trade reminding listen-
A couple years ago, I wouldn’t have bet that tiphonics. With veteran drummer Billy Hart— ers that improv can be a place where various
a Pharoah Sanders and Joey DeFrancesco who was part of the original “Creator” record- roads converge, and everyone benefits from
collab was in the cards, but In The Key Of ing in 1969—contouring the action, there’s an the exchange. —Jim Macnie
The Universe finds the 47-year-old organ exquisite flow to the entire program.
In The Key Of The Universe: Inner Being; Vibrations In Blue;
virtuoso and 78-year-old reed magician To some degree, this aesthetic shift could be Awake And Blissed; It Swung Wide Open; In The Key Of The Uni-
verse; The Creator Has A Master Plan; And So It Is; Soul Perspective;
celebrating “The Creator Has A Master Plan,” spotted in the cool fervor of “Lift Every Voice A Path Through The Noise; Easier To Be. (58:30)
the half-century-old song of praise that And Sing” and “A Change Is Gonna Come” from Personnel: Joey DeFrancesco, organ, keyboard, trumpet (7, 9,
10); Billy Hart, drums; Troy Roberts, saxophone, bass (6, 7); Pharoah
was the centerpiece of Sanders’ earthshaking DeFrancesco’s 2017 album, Project Freedom. Sanders, tenor saxophone (5, 6, 7); Sammy Figueroa, percussion.
album Karma. That’s where the thoughtful impact of Troy Ordering info: mackavenuerecords.com

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 47

 album off to a dramatic start with Acuña’s “Aguita
De Corazón,” which prescribes herbal tea for a
broken heart. Ceremoniousness gives way to the
chipper handclaps of “Hey,” during which Acuña
invites women to join in devotion to the moon
goddess, who rises again on “Futuro,” this time
surreally smelling like a Federico García Lorca
mix of onions, garlic, sea and roses. Seizing the
fleeting moment becomes a motif—a firefly flick-
ering through the lilting choruses of “Silencio”
or the falling star one might wish upon in the
dreamy “Los Tres Deseos De Siempre.”
Acuña also offers a deeply moving Americana
ballad, “Home,” sung with a vulnerability that
recalls Abbey Lincoln, whose “Bird Alone”
receives a superbly spare reading, as well. By con-
Claudia Acuña trast, Jimmy Van Heusen’s “But Beautiful” floats Amirtha Kidambi
Turning Pages through an off-kilter arrangement, a minor flaw From Untruth
DELFIN 001 in a richly endowed album that closes with an NORTHERN SPY 113
++++ irresistibly hooky lament, “Tu Sonrisa,” a break- +++½
up song that manages to sound joyously upbeat.
It’s been 10 years since Claudia Acuña’s last album, Even when she’s losing on Turning Pages, On the first track of her new album, From
but the Chilean singer is as warmly expressive as ever Acuña embraces life. May her next recording Untruth, composer Amirtha Kidambi leaps into
on Turning Pages, her most personal effort to date, emerge before another decade passes. her takedown of income inequality without pre-
with five originals. Acuña’s elemental lyrics evoke —Paul de Barros amble. “Eat the rich or die starving,” she sings to
a life-affirming message, and their musical set- the wheezing drone of her harmonium on “Eat
Turning Pages: Aguita De Corazón; Hey; But Beautiful; Los Tres
tings, though rooted in jazz, lean here toward folk- Deseos De Siempre; Futuro; Bird Alone; Silencio; Home; Tu Sonrisa. The Rich.” But boldly confrontational vocals
(37:54)
rock and nueva canción, guitarist Juancho Herrera Personnel: Claudia Acuña, vocals; Juancho Herrera, guitar, vocals;
are only one of the many pointed arrows in
having succeeded pianist Jason Lindner as producer. Pablo Vergara, Jon Cowherd (9), piano, keyboards; Carlos Hen- Kidambi’s quiver. She has a lot to say—and many
derson, Michael Olatuja (9), bass; Yayo Serka, drums, percussion;
Yayo Serka’s annunciatory drums and Grégoire Maret, harmonica (1). musical devices through which to speak.
Grégoire Maret’s curling harmonica get the Ordering info: claudiaacunamusic.com As an improvisational singer, Kidambi draws
easily and in equal measure from free-jazz, indie
rock, and Carnatic solfège and idioms. Her band,
Elder Ones (soprano saxophonist Matt Nelson,
Theon Cross bassist Nick Dunston and drummer Max Jaffe),
Fyah match Kidambi in her anarchic intensity: The
GEARBOX 1550 tune “Decolonize The Mind,” for example, opens
+++ with almost five minutes of a wildly expressive
free-improv—caterwauls, a squealing horn and
In the loose-knit cadre of young British jazz deep thrumming in the bass—before falling into
musicians, which gloriously was captured on a steady, hypnotic groove. “We won’t be silenced,”
Brownswood Recordings’ 2017 compilation and Kidambi intones before a perfervid spoken-word
documentary We Out Here, tuba player Theon section; the tune ends in screams and static. This
Cross is its secret sauce. Whether he’s anchor- is not stuff that your average jazz quartet can
ing the pulverizing frenzy of Shabaka Hutchings’ do—or do so well.
Sons Of Kemet or lending rhythmic heft to South Kidambi intersperses just enough conven-
London combo Steam Down, Cross’ stout tuba tional musical moments throughout the record-
riffs and berserk smears help distinguish the ing to keep the compositions from read-
scene’s sonic imprint. ing as completely dystopian. A soothing
On Fyah, a follow-up to his 2015 debut EP, unison between the voice and the harmonium, a
and stern grooves also can come across like over-
Aspirations, he recruits frequent collaborators straightahead lick in the bass, a familiar groove
cooked, yet underdeveloped, compositional ideas.
tenor saxophonist Nubya Garcia and drum- in the drums. And on the title track, the last of
“CIYA” is the closest Fyah comes to a ballad;
mer Moses Boyd on spartan, dub-like sketches four extended compositions, a floating, futuristic
and it provides a more compelling vehicle for
where Caribbean and West African rhythms col- electronic line followed by the lyrics, “From dark-
Cross to showcase a fully developed composi-
lide with UK underground hip-hop and electron- ness into the light ... .” This little drop of hope in
tional sensibility as he issues the lulling melo-
ica, and of course, modern jazz. In most cases, the recording’s final moments changes the over-
dy alongside saxophone, guitar and trombone,
Cross functions as the fulcrum, issuing bouncy, all message of From Untruth. We can do better,
before delivering a sensual, melodically cogent
bottom-heavy motifs beneath Boyd’s strenuous Kidambi suggests. —Suzanne Lorge
solo. More tunes like that would have helped
drumming, which sometimes prances with ebul-
Fyah burn even more brightly. —John Murph
lient soca rhythms or swaggers with the menace
Fyah: Activate; The Offerings; Radiation; Letting Go; Candace Of From Untruth: Eat The Rich; Dance Of The Subaltern; Decolonize
of London’s grime scene. It makes for intriguing, Meroe; Panda Village; CIYA; LDN’s Burning. (43:19) The Mind; From Untruth. (46:48)
hypnotic music, especially the lurking “Activate” Personnel: Theon Cross, tuba; Moses Boyd, drums; Nubya Garcia, Personnel: Amirtha Kidambi, vocals, synthesizer, harmonium;
Wayne Francis (5, 7), tenor saxophone; Tim Doyle, percussion (5); Matt Nelson, soprano saxophone, Moog synthesizer; Nick Dunston,
and the rugged “Radiation.” But the music’s Artie Zaitz (5, 7), guitar; Nathaniel Cross (7), trombone. bass; Max Jaffe, drums, electronic percussion.
over-reliance on choppy riffs, astringent melodies Ordering info: gearboxrecords.com Ordering info: northernspyrecs.com

48 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

The

Suzanne
Critics Paul de Barros Lorge Jim Macnie John Murph

Joey DeFrancesco ++++ +++½ ++++ ++++

In The Key Of The Universe

Claudia Acuña ++++ +++ +++½ +++½

Turning Pages

Theon Cross ++½ +++ +++ +++

Fyah

Amirtha Kidambi +++½ +++½ +++ +++½

From Untruth

Critics’ Comments

Joey DeFrancesco, In The Key Of The Universe

“Soul On Soul” might have been a better title for this innovative contrast of jazz’s secular and
spiritual sides, with Sanders joining the perpetually swinging, spirited organ maestro on three
cuts, including a rendition of “The Creator Has A Master Plan.” —Paul de Barros
DeFrancesco signals the spiritual focus of his music with solemn gongs, whirring rattlers and din-
ging bells. But his energizing grooves belie the meditative bent of these world-music mainstays.
He reminds us that spirit can be as fierce as it is gentle. —Suzanne Lorge
On this surprising tribute to Sanders, the superb organist grounds it with a subtle, yet substan-
tial, earthiness while still touching the music’s celestial peaks. —John Murph

Claudia Acuña, Turning Pages

This long-awaited album reveals Acuña’s talents as an intelligent, sensitive songwriter. The
beloved singer (and now composer) is at her best when she unleashes the full power of her
expressive contralto, whether on a Latin burner or a smoldering down-tempo tune. Here she
nails both. —Suzanne Lorge
Love the way she moves so casually from a folksy lilt to aggressive syncopation like “Futuro.”
One of her most fetching discs. —Jim Macnie
Returning after a 10-year recording hiatus results in a sumptuous and soulful triumph that cele-
brates her epigrammatic songwriting as much as it does her magnetic singing. —John Murph

Theon Cross, Fyah

Continuing with the throbbing and funky minimalist riffs he has become known for in Sons
Of Kemet, London tuba virtuoso Cross adds African flavors, synthesizer and even some lyrical
sweetness to the group’s richly textured sax-tuba crosshatchings. But its relentless momentum,
while initially exhilarating, also can wear thin. —Paul de Barros
Cross anchors the hypersonic originals on this recording with well-calibrated tuba lines, holding
his equally busy soloists close to the melodic center. With this bottom-up approach to compos-
ing, Cross shows that low instruments, too, can gleam in the spotlight. —Suzanne Lorge
I wish everything had the liftoff of “Candace Of Meroe,” but as is, there’s still plenty of funk
flying around. And the fact that it’s a tuba in the driver’s seat is rather incredible. —Jim Macnie

Amirtha Kidambi, From Untruth

Fearless experimental vocalist Kidambi whips Meredith Monk-like chattering, Indian syllabic
singing and modal drones, electronics, pointillistic free-jazz and avant-rock into an aggressively
political mix (“Eat The Rich,” “Decolonize The Mind”) on this often hauntingly beautiful response
to our challenging times. —Paul de Barros
As a Steve Lacy/Irene Aebi fanatic, I dig the frictional weaving of Kidambi’s voice and Nelson’s
soprano. And the music’s messages are supercharged by both the leader’s provocative drama
and the band’s fierce designs. —Jim Macnie
This music plunges listeners into a kaleidoscopic sonic looking-glass, distinguished by sounds
that are, in turn, fascinating, fetching and frightening. —John Murph

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 49

 with Mayall accompanied only by his crack
Chicago-based rhythm section. For Nobody
Told Me, Mayall swings back to a full-ensem-
ble sound. His vaunted ability to recruit star
guitarists for various projects is on full display
here, with a half-dozen six-stringers featured
across 10 tracks.
The songs are well-served by the incessant
wail of electric guitar, particularly the seven
covers that start out the disc. Underappreciated
blues-rocker Larry McCray takes full advantage
of his moment in the sun, notably on Gwendolyn
Collins’ “The Moon Is Full,” while Rush’s Alex
Lifeson comes out punching on “Evil And Here
To Stay.” Todd Rundgren’s fretwork eventually
overpowers Conan O’Brien’s studio horn section
John Mayall on Little Milton’s “That’s What Love Will Make
You Do.” And while Steven Van Zandt defers to
Julian Lage
Nobody Told Me Mayall with his in-the-pocket playing on “It’s So
Love Hurts
FORTY BELOW 022 MACK AVENUE 1148
Tough,” Carolyn Wonderland adds impressive
+++½ flourishes to “Like It Like You Do” and the glori-
+++½
Counting live discs and compilations, John ous slow blues “Nobody Told Me.” It’s enough to Julian Lage’s latest, Love Hurts, completes a tril-
Mayall’s wracked up 86 albums, give or take. But leave Mayall fans panting for more. ogy of Americana-related recordings for
wouldn’t a completist stop after, say, 30? More —Jeff Johnson the Mack Avenue imprint. The Grammy-
pertinent, is there a need to add to the clutter with nominated guitarist’s two previous efforts,
Nobody Told Me: What Have I Done Wrong; The Moon Is
Nobody Told Me, a new disc from the 85-year- Full; Evil And Here to Stay; That’s What Love Will Make You Do;
Modern Lore (2018) and Arclight (2016), dug
old singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and Distant Lonesome Train; Delta Hurricane; The Hurt Inside; It’s deep into the pre-bop and rock ’n’ roll eras,
So Tough; Like It Like You Do; Nobody Told Me. (48:31)
bandleader? The answer: Go for it. Personnel: John Mayall, vocals, keyboards, harmonica; Jay respectively. But the subject of this latest release
For his most recent outings, Mayall’s key- Davenport, drums; Greg Rzab, bass; Ron Dziubla, saxophone; Mark is the unfettered musical milieu of the late
Pender, trumpet; Richard A. Rosenberg, trombone; Billy Watts,
boards, harmonica and vocals have been guitar, Carolyn Wonderland (5, 9, 10), Joe Bonamassa (1, 6), Larry 1960s and early 1970s, when free-jazz reached
McCray (2, 7), Alex Lifeson (3), Todd Rundgren (4), Steven Van
front and center. His 2018 live set, Three For Zandt (8), guitar. toward its zenith.
The Road, was a stripped-down workout Ordering info: fortybelowrecords.com Aesthetically, each album in the trilogy lays
the groundwork for the next, and the bridge
between Love Hurts and Modern Lore like-
Nate Wooley ly would be Lage’s “Earth Science,” a standout
Columbia Icefield free-improv tune from that earlier release. On
NORTHERN SPY 112 this new record—Lage’s debut as producer and
++++ his first using drummer Dave King and bassist
Jorge Roeder—such a progressive effort would
Trumpeter Nate Wooley has an uncommonly
fit right in with his blue take on Jimmy Giuffre’s
broad purview as both an instrumental-
“Trudgin’” and a crisp rendition of Ornette
ist and conceptualist. He’s rigorously intrep-
Coleman’s “Tomorrow Is The Question.”
id and impossible to pigeonhole, whether it’s
Lage’s source material here ranges far beyond
his avant-garde solo performances or such proj-
the avant-garde, however. The album includes
ects as his previous album, (Dance To) The Early
covers of “In Heaven” from the oddball film
Music, which found Wooley reanimating the
Eraserhead, Roy Orbison’s country rock classic
early small-band music of Wynton Marsalis.
“Crying” and a pair of early Keith Jarrett compo-
Different again, Columbia Icefield finds the
sitions: “The Windup” and “Encore (A).” On the
Oregon-bred New Yorker conjuring the epic
surface, these all might not have much to commu-
expanse of the Canadian Rockies’ titular glacier
nicate to each other. But Lage’s incisive musical-
across three long, textured compositions. extended, wind-shear solo by Halvorson. “With
ity and clean fretwork go a long way to bridging
The unusual instrumentation of Wooley’s Condolences,” although some of its growling
aesthetic divides.
Columbia Icefield quartet feels ideal to the vocal effects are a shade gimmicky, ranges across
His two originals (“In Circles” and “Lullaby”)
task: virtuosic Susan Alcorn on pedal steel, the an emotional expanse like a dark-hued tone
are the most inclusive selections on the record-
ever-distinctive Mary Halvorson on six-string, poem, featuring Wooley’s most pensive playing
ing, borrowing from nearly everything else and
Ryan Sawyer behind the kit, alongside the lead- and an affecting recitation by Sawyer.
signaling the guitarist’s compositional intent: to
er’s often strikingly lyrical horn and occasional Evocative yet never literal, ambitious while
build musical bridges firmly rooted in place, but
amplifier effects. Opener “Lionel Trilling”—the approachable, Columbia Icefield easily ranks as
standing outside of time and genre.
rare tune named after a literary critic—blends Wooley’s most beautiful music yet.
—Suzanne Lorge
Steve Reich-ian minimalism with howling inter- —Bradley Bambarger
Love Hurts: In Heaven; Tomorrow Is The Question; The Windup;
ludes and hovering atmospherics to absorb- Columbia Icefield: Lionel Trilling; Seven In The Woods; With Love Hurts; In Circles; Encore (A); Lullaby; Trudgin’; I’m Getting
ing effect. The high-lonesome sound of “Seven Condolences. (53:14) Sentimental Over You; Crying. (42:55)
Personnel: Nate Wooley, trumpet; Susan Alcorn, pedal steel; Personnel: Julian Lage, guitar; Dave King, drums; Jorge Roeder,
In The Woods” echoes with hints of abstract- Mary Halvorson, guitar; Ryan Sawyer, drums, vocals. bass.
ed Americana, before being capped by an Ordering info: northernspyrecs.com Ordering info: mackavenue.com

50 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 pered with thoughtful interpretations of fel-
low musicians’ tunes and a remarkably creative
remix of the George Gershwin ballad “My Man’s
Gone Now.”
The originals unfold contrasting moods and
a broad range of timbres, as the flowing, bowed
opener, “Oceanic,” gives way to “Pettiford,” a
buoyant tribute to the bebop legend. “Vineland”
is vigorous and adventuresome, and in contrast,
“The Gleaner” is a haunting exploration of over-
tones and the instrument’s upper register.
When Grenadier turns to songs penned by
others, he channels the energy of deep friend-
ship, offering a heartfelt interpretation of
“Gone Like The Season Does,” a gorgeous tune
penned by Rebecca Martin, his wife. Later, he Brittany Anjou
Larry Grenadier delves deeply into rich harmonies during two Enamigo Reciprokataj
short “Bagatelles,” written by Viennese guitar- ORIGIN 82774
The Gleaners ist Wolfgang Muthspiel. The album’s fulcrum, +++½
ECM 2560
though, is a mysterious, focused medley of John
++++ Coltrane’s “Compassion” and Paul Motian’s “The
Why did pianist Brittany Anjou title her album
Enamigo Reciprokataj, which translates from
The upright bass might not be an instrument Owl Of Cranston” during which their creative Esperanto to “reciprocal love?” Even after giving
we’re used to hearing at the front of the mix. But spirit is palpable in the bassist’s searching tribute. it a listen, the answer’s still unclear.
The Gleaners, Larry Grenadier’s bold, poetic con- A testament to one of our generation’s true bass Anjou’s debut album, inspired by a
tribution to the solo bass genre, leaves no doubt craftsmen, The Gleaners offers a pathway into a Stravinsky ballet, is a strong, classicist pia-
that his bass sound belongs there. It’s a purpose- brilliant mind taking a rare and well-deserved no-trio effort that nods to the work of Ahmad
ful artistic vision—at points melodic, athletic turn in the spotlight. —Alex W. Rodriguez Jamal, Vince Guaraldi and even modern play-
and gut-wrenchingly vulnerable—that explores
The Gleaners: Oceanic; Pettiford; The Gleaner; Woebegone; ers like Cyrus Chestnut in its focus on mel-
not only the full range of the instrument’s tech- Gone Like The Season Does; Compassion/The Owl Of Cranston; ody and swing, while still journeying as far
nical possibilities, but also the emotional range Vineland; Lovelair; Bagatelle 1; Bagatelle 2; My Man’s Gone Now; A
Novel In A Sigh. (42:02) afield as she thinks the music wants to go. And
of a deeply sensitive jazz artist. Mostly made Personnel: Larry Grenadier, bass.
she’s happy to lay waste to the instrument when
up of original solo pieces, the album is pep- Ordering info: ecmrecords.com
that’s what’s called for: “Reciprokataj IV: Olive
You” begins with a display of power that would
Vanessa Rubin mark the summit of most players’ performanc-
es. The piece goes through multiple transfor-
The Dream Is You: Vanessa mations, exploring forcefully played blues and
Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron romantic frills, before finally drifting to a del-
NIBUR 1001
icate landing.
+++½ Throughout the majority of the album,
Cleveland pianist, composer/arranger and band- Anjou’s supported and egged on by bass-
leader Tadd Dameron’s importance always has ist Gregory Chudzik and drummer Nicholas
been worth noting, if nothing else for his well-loved Anderson, who both are prominent in the mix,
compositions “Good Bait” and “Ladybird.” So, serving as counterweights and even challeng-
it’s certainly odd that there hasn’t been an album ers rather than mere accompanists. Toward
devoted to his romantic vocal work, until now. the end of the disc, though, they’re replaced
Digging out Dameron’s gems from institu- by Ari Folman-Cohen and Ben Perowsky, and
tions across America, fellow Clevelander Vanessa “Reciprokataj V: Flowery Distress” has a dark-
Rubin has accomplished a feat of adoration and er, almost martial feel. Perowsky’s playing is
reverence. The vocalist commissioned 12 impres- more like an arena-rock drum solo than a jazz
sive arrangements of Dameron’s work for nonet intonation issues tend to disappoint throughout, rhythm, and Folman-Cohen draws long groans
and quartet, seven with original lyrics, each con- diminishing the work’s impact. from the bass with his bow. In response, Anjou
tributed by the pianist’s acclaimed contemporar- Honoring Dameron’s wizardry, Rubin and pounds out low-end rumbles that feel almost
ies, including Benny Golson and Jimmy Heath. her collective get straight to the matter, express- pained. The album begins and ends with short
Rubin’s scat choruses over “Lady Bird” fea- ing a genius and creative legacy with the sincere tracks warped by electronic manipulation,
tures the deep sonorities of her vocal range, respect that the often-overlooked composer truly almost as if you’re tuning the music in as it’s
accentuated by the ensemble. Completely deserves and finally has. —Kerilie McDowall being broadcast from a distant satellite.
immersed, she transcends the music, allowing The Dream Is You: Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron:
—Philip Freeman
Dameron’s sophisticated wit to take prominence. Lady Bird; Kitchenette Across The Hall; If You Could See Me Now; Enamigo Reciprokataj: Starlight; Reciprokataj I: Cyrene
Weekend; On A Misty Night; Never Been In Love; Next Time Around (Flight of the Butterfly); Snuffaluffagas; Reciprokataj II: Girls Who
“Kitchenette Across The Hall” further illumi- (Soultrane); Good Bait; Reveries Do Come True (The Dream Is You); Play Violin; Balliou For Bartok; Hard Boiled Soup; Reciprokataj III:
Whatever Possessed Me; You’re A Joy; I Think I’ll Go Away. (54:13) Harfa; Reciprokataj IV: Olive You; Reciprokataj V: Flowery Distress;
nates Rubin’s solid interpretative approach, and Personnel: Vanessa Rubin, vocals; John Cowherd, piano; Kenny Reciproka Elektra. (57:30)
“Weekend” has an casual sense of play, well suited Davis, bass; Carl Allen, drums; Eddie Allen, trumpet; Patience Personnel: Brittany Anjou, piano; Gregory Chudzik, bass; Nicholas
Higgins, tenor saxophone; Bruce Williams, alto saxophone; Clifton Anderson, drums; Ben Perowsky, drums (9, 10); Ari Folman-Cohen,
to her joyful, effortless delivery. And while Rubin Anderson, trombone; Alex Harding, baritone saxophone. bass (9, 10).
soars over “Good Bait,” horn and woodwind Ordering info: vanessarubin.com Ordering info: originarts.com

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 51

 Jazz / BY JAMES HALE

The Dave Douglas Variations

In the late 1960s, Miles Davis was fed up with

GEOFF COUNTRYMAN
multiple-set engagements in nightclubs. He
was done with ringing cash registers and hav-
ing to kill time at the bar between sets. If rock
bands could play arenas and soft-seat halls,
why shouldn’t he?
Thankfully, while Davis’ rebellion helped
put a dent in nightclub business during the
following decade, it didn’t completely kill
the concept of the four- or five-night stand
at rooms like Jazz Standard in Manhattan’s
Kips Bay neighborhood. There’s really noth-
Allison Au Quartet
ing quite like the intimacy of a small venue or Wander Wonder
the experience of hearing a band as it works SELF RELEASE
through repertoire during succeeding sets. ++++
Bandleader and Greenleaf Music head
Toronto saxophonist, composer and arranger
Dave Douglas gets that, and since 2006,
with control of his own production and distri- Allison Au leads her quartet through 10 piec-
bution, he’s released three complete runs with es varied in influence, but amazingly cohe-
different bands from Jazz Standard. The third, sive, innovative and fresh on their third outing,
Brazen Heart Live At Jazz Standard Wander Wonder, the follow-up to 2016’s Juno
(Greenleaf Music 1066/1062/1057/1067; Award-winning Forest Grove.
Dave Douglas
114:41/126:39/128:45/125:11 +++++) From the top, there’s no mistaking this is a
captures his 2015 quintet—with tenor saxo- subscription series. Recently, that’s taken the modern work, signaled by Todd Pentney’s elec-
phonist Jon Irabagon, pianist Matt Mitchell, form of one-off projects that are recorded late tronic soundscape on “The Valley.” And while
bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Rudy in the year and posted one track at a time to
Au’s sphere of influence ranges from classi-
Royston—during the course of eight sets. Greenleaf Music members during the follow-
cal to pop, r&b and hip-hop, she embraces not
Road-tested over a number of months, in sup- ing 12 months.
port of three extremely diverse albums (2012‘s In 2018, Douglas made a timely return only international jazz, but her own Chinese and
Be Still, 2013‘s Time Travel, 2015’s Brazen Heart) to music written in response to issues relat- Jewish heritage. Yet what comes through loud
the quintet tackles 26 separate songs. Most ed to human rights. In the past, his activism and strong is her own alto saxophone bop: From
are played at least twice, with the notable ex- has generated some of his most compelling voicing, phrasing and tone, Au’s personality and
ception of Douglas’ “Hawaiian Punch,” from music, and UPLIFT: Twelve Pieces For imprint are out front on “Future Self.”
Brazen Heart, which kicks off half of the six Positive Action In 2018 (Greenleaf Mu- “The Rest Is Up To You,” gently moves with a
sets. Five songs are played only once, which is sic 1068; 62:10 ++++) is no exception. It samba melody and the evocative touch of Fabio
where listeners can start to nerd out over the bristles with electricity, thanks to the presence Ragnelli’s drums. “Looking Up” highlights a
flow and shape of these sets. of guitarists Mary Halvorson and Julian Lage,
band that works as a unit: Pentney’s piano solo
For example, the Friday night crowd got and bassist Bill Laswell, and stands apart in
rings through, working in synch with Au’s alto.
treated to three pieces the band would play Lovano’s discography as a rare pairing of the
only once—including a raucous cover of Gil- saxophonist with a corps of sonic adventurers. “The Lie That Saves Us All,” also showcases the
lian Welch’s “One Morning,” which Douglas Halvorson’s signature octave-bending way these players are unified in harmony and
never has recorded in the studio—while the smears and Laswell’s dark tone set a wool- rhythm. “Red Herring” busts out as the album’s
Sunday night audience was able to hear the ly mood on pieces like “The Power Of The most adventurous track, drums and saxophone
quintet really stretch out on a 23-minute ver- Vote” and “Love Is A Battle,” while a compo- flying as Pentney’s contemporary electronic key-
sion of “Bridge To Nowhere” and a 22-minute sition dedicated to the Dreamers and other board sounds hover in the distance.
medley of “My Cares Are Down Below” and immigrants to America uses electronics The ballad “Morning” has real feel, unex-
“The Pigeon And The Pie.” and Ian Chang’s percussion to create an pected contrast and a deep blue mood that
Since going out under his own name in unsettled foundation for pensive trumpet
announces this is where Au lives: She’s in it body
1993, Douglas consistently has put togeth- and alto clarinet.
and soul. (Although, when bassist John Maharaj
er bands that highlight textural complexity Perhaps the best element of these the-
and distinctive voices, but this quintet stands matic exercises is the way it sometimes can takes his solo, it’s a fair reminder that he’s quietly
among the very best of his many projects. push Douglas into totally unexpected terri- been holding it down throughout.)
Irabagon, in particular, has an exceptionally tory. Such is the case with “Sharing A Small This impressive third effort by a solidly
simpatico relationship with the trumpeter, and Planet,” which explodes out of the gate, focused and driven quartet rarely wanders:
his intelligence and wit shine through on ev- with Douglas, Lovano and Chang sounding It’s wonderful. —Denise Sullivan
erything he plays. Oh—who also is a member like they’re accompanying Otis Redding. Be-
of Sound Prints, the band co-led by Douglas fore long, chaos ensues in the best possible
and Joe Lovano—and Royston form a fluid way—a glorious, throbbing cacophony that’s Wander Wonder: The Valley; Future Self; The Rest Is Up To
You; Looking Up; Morning; The Lie That Saves Us All; Red Herring;
and variable rhythm team. reminiscent of Ronald Shannon Jackson’s De- Grounds; Force Majeure; A Trick Of The Moonlight. (52:42)
Another benefit of running his own label coding Society. Absolutely uplifting. DB Personnel: Allison Au, alto saxophone; Todd Pentney, piano,
Prophet Rev 2; John Maharaj, bass, electric bass; Fabio
has been Douglas’ concept of a year-long Ordering info: greenleafmusic.com Ragnelli, drums.
Ordering info: allisonau.com

52 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 rio, where his ideas are expressed in words as well Takayanagi’s New Directions and a frequent col-
as sound. The work functions as a celebration laborator with touring international improvis-
of the titular figure’s personal bravery, symbol- ers in his homeland. Opener “Creative Music-1—
ic power and lasting importance, but Smith digs Red Mountain Garden, Wild Irises And Glacier
deeper, complementing meditations on her cour- Lines” fires on all cylinders, with the drummer
age with current political criticism. On “Song 3: unleashing surging waves of energy on his kit,
Change It!,” he critiques the lack of representa- including some driving backbeat here and there,
tion in the U.S. Senate as vocalist Karen Parks while the trumpeter unleashes extended streams
intones, “We have not a democracy/ When 28 of tonally tart melody. Things grow more medi-
states have 56 senators/ California only two.” tative during the album’s second half, with Smith
Fans of Smith’s bracing trumpet playing toggling between koto, bamboo flute, kalimba
might be disappointed, as he solos only sparing- and soulful chants as his partner expertly offers
ly here. His ever-shifting arrangements use var- restraint. As different as the albums are, both
ious combinations of a protean trumpet quar- clearly are imbued with Smith’s spirit of generos-
tet (Hugh Ragin, Graham Haynes and Ted ity and humanity. —Peter Margasak
Wadada Leo Smith Daniel), the RedKoral Quartet (the imaginative
Rosa Parks: Pure Love. An string group that’s appeared throughout his Civil
Rosa Parks: Pure Love. An Oratorio Of Seven Songs:
Oratorio Of Seven Songs Rights works) and drummer Pheeroan akLaff, Prelude: Journey; Vision Dance 1: Resistance And Unity; Rosa Parks:
with improvisations judiciously placed through- Mercy, Music For Double Quartet; Song 1: The Montgomery Bus
TUM 057 Boycott—381 Days Of Fire; Song 2: The First Light, Gold; Vision
+++½ out the epic. The libretto is sung by three dispa- Dance 2: Defiance, Justice and Liberation; Song 3: Change It!; Song
4: The Truth; Song 5: No Fear; Vision Dance 3: Rosa’s Blue Lake;
rate voices: African-American Parks, Mexican Song 6: The Second Light; Vision Dance 4: A Blue Casa; Song 7:
Wadada Leo Smith Carmina Escobar and Chinese pipa virtuoso Pure Love; The Known World: Apartheid; Postlude: Victory! (71:39)
Personnel: Wadada Leo Smith, Ted Daniel, Hugh Ragin, trumpet;
& Sabu Toyozumi Min Xiao-Fen, and the performers masterful-
ly bring an electric coherence and introspective
Graham Haynes, trumpet, cornet; Min Xiao-Fen, pipa, vocals;
Carmina Escobar, Karen Parks, vocals; Shalini Vijayan, Mona Tian,
Burning Meditation intensity to the bandleader’s bold vision.
violin; Andrew McIntosh, viola; Ashley Walters, cello; Pheeroan
akLaff, drums; Hardedge, electronics.
NOBUSINESS 110 Burning Meditation: Creative Music-1—Red Mountain Garden,
A more visceral, extroverted side of Smith is Wild Irises And Glacier Lines; Burning Meditation—Uprising; Voic-
+++½ evidenced on the front half of Burning es—Agano River Flow; Don Cherry, A Silver Flute Song; There Are
Human Rights Blues; Stars, Lightening Bugs And Chrysanthemum
Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith’s ongoing interest Meditation, a live 1994 recording made with Flowers. (62:40)
Personnel: Wadada Leo Smith, trumpet, koto, bamboo flute,
in recent history, particularly the Civil Rights era, the pioneering Japanese free-jazz drummer vocals, percussion; Sabu Toyozumi, drums.
is powerfully manifested in his first-ever orato- Sabu Toyozumi, an early member of Masayuki Ordering info: tumrecords.com; nobusinessrecords.com

Behn Gillece Graewe/Smith/

Parallel Universe Vatcher
POSI-TONE 8190 Unhesitating
+++ NUSCOPE 1032
With Parallel Universe, Behn Gillece +++½
strives to show that a duality of intro- When a session features Georg
version and extroversion—a fluc- Graewe at the piano bench, certain
tuating need for innovative musical words must be banished from one’s
technique, as well as public perfor- vocabulary. He doesn’t show up to pay
mance—exists in every artist. The homage or imitate anyone; he comes
sheer contrast of Gillece’s meticulous to play what the moment requires.
post-bop songwriting and the approachable, mellower, sonic quality of his Active since the ’70s, Graewe has worked with free improvisers like
vibraphone, epitomize the philosophy. John Butcher and Isabelle Duthoit, but also has composed and staged
Swift rolls of vibraphone notes about midway through the title track cre- operas. Don’t ask him about the similarities and differences between impro-
ate bold melodic ostinatos. However, the rhythmic movement isn’t like that visation and composition, they’re both just tools to making erudite music at
of broad and heavy tidal waves. Rather, Gillece highlights the brighter tim- the moment that music needs to be made. Bassist Damon Smith and drum-
bre of the vibraphone within bop’s affinity for quick-step tempos. Similarly, mer Michael Vatcher are apposite partners for this task.
on “Eviscerate,” Gillece refuses to force the vibraphone to be something it “Prelude,” a Graewe original, starts out using short phrases and strate-
isn’t. The tonal difference is obvious, as he alternates between solitary per- gic gaps that establish this as music that asks and answers questions. Vatcher
formance and bolstering Stacy Dillard’s tenor saxophone, the song’s prima- and Smith seem to be asking questions of their own, proposing chang-
ry melodic messenger. Still, the composition unfolds like a battle of differing es of tempo and direction; no one here is hesitating. They treat “Ictus” like
musical strategies—one agile and punctuated, the other expansive and mal- an ongoing negotiation of hierarchy, but not for the mere sake of control.
leable—more so than a hierarchy of instrumental power. Ultimately, Parallel Rather, the players seem to be sorting out how to honor both Carla and Paul
Universe is a compositionally fascinating collection, displaying how a single Bley by using their tune as a vehicle for finding a lucid trio dynamic.
set of opposites translates to a varied artistic display. —Kira Grunenberg —Bill Meyer
Parallel Universe: Break The Ice; Bossa For R.M.; Parallel Universe; Ready For Tomorrow; Smoke
Screen; Eviscerate; Downpour; Shadow Of The Flame; Evening Glow; Alice’s Journey; Candle In The Unhesitating: Prelude; Ictus; Semaphore #04; Pointedly Bent; Caught Stillness; Schulterblicke; Noth-
Dark. (58:02) ing Ever Was, Anyway; Barely Curve The Water; Rooms Outlast You; Semaphore #05; Rough Fields;
Personnel: Behn Gillece, vibraphone; Bruce Harris, trumpet; Stacy Dillard, tenor saxophone; Art Volume Of The Moment; Semaphore #06. (53:21)
Hirahara, piano; David Wong, bass; Rudy Royston, drums. Personnel: Georg Graewe, piano; Damon Smith, bass; Michael Vatcher, drums.
Ordering info: posi-tone.com Ordering info: nuscope.org

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 53

 In fact, “drone” is a word that describes much
of the music. The close detail of the miking means
that on tracks such as “Stall” and “Hole,” Giske’s
circular-breathed notes begin to separate into
their harmonic overtones. If the sound is ambi-
ent, it is so in both the musical sense and in the
sense of listening to one’s buzzing appliances as
the air conditioner runs.
Somewhat more interesting are the tracks
that use ostinato, instead of drone. “Adjust” and
“Through” comprise speedy, triplet-based runs,
whose looped momentum suggest a Philip Glass
composition; Gendik’s fingerings become per-
cussion tracks. There’s a definite meditative qual-
ity, particularly on “Up,” where Giske’s voice sur-
faces in the reverb like a distant chant. By the
Bendik Giske fourth iteration (“High”), though, it’s simply
become more of the same.
Anton Eger
Surrender It is fascinating to hear the interaction of
Æ
SMALLTOWN SUPERSOUND 334 EDITION 1122
breath, fingers, instrument and voice at such
+++ minute levels as Surrender offers, and it has its
++
To a great degree, Oslo-based saxophonist own kind of surreal beauty. But the album also Scandinavian drummer Anton Eger is a veteran
Bendik Giske’s debut, Surrender, is one of those gets quite dull; its 33-minute duration is a relief. sideman for Django Bates and Marius Neset, as
experiments that’s more interesting than it is Yet at the same time, something about it remains well as a member of the long-standing London-
enjoyable. It’s a saxophone recording produced remarkably compelling: You will listen, put it based trio Phronesis. He’s had plenty of time to
with tiny microphones placed all over the instru- aside thinking it’s a pretty trifle, and somehow be plan his first solo effort, and on Æ, Eger estab-
ment, so that its sound fills and often overloads beckoned by it again. —Michael J. West lishes an identity quite distinct from Phronesis’
the record’s sonic plane. The only accompani- acoustic, piano-based sound. Relentlessly tight
ment is Giske’s voice, similarly recorded through Surrender: Ass Drone; Adjust; Up; Stall; Hole; Through; High; Exit. and totally plugged in, the album combines a
(33:06)
microphones placed all over his body (and low in Personnel: Bendik Giske, saxophone, vocals. pop-derived version of fusion that was in vogue
the mix, so that it forms a faint, ghostly drone). Ordering info: smalltownsupersound.com around the time Eger was born in 1980 and con-
temporary production techniques.
The bandleader’s skills as a drummer and
Jordan Pettay arranger are undeniable as he flawlessly shifts
First Fruit between meters and expresses melodies in tight
OUTSIDE IN MUSIC 1803 formation with the synthesizer on “Sugaruzd
+++ +++ pT,” and uses intricate bass-drum flourishes
to vary the backbeat of “Oxford Supernova +++
Several of the tracks on New York saxophonist jC.” On that latter composition, a chirping synth
Jordan Pettay’s debut, First Fruit, are reimagined and clipped guitar articulate convoluted varia-
medium-tempo hymns. Pettay’s evocative musi- tions that otherwise might be the tune of a ser-
cality, at once refined and raw, makes 200-year- viceable soul ballad. And on the hip-hop derived
old Christian music standards, like “I Am Thine “Severn B +++ fP,” each electronic texture has its
O Lord,” feel fresh. place. But all this pristine execution feels as fussy
Christian Sands lends a hand to the project in and needlessly clever as the song titles. The final
more ways than one: He co-produced the album track demonstrates what’s missing on the rest of
and contributes keys throughout. His riffing the album: Juliette Marland adds spoken phrases
during the first measures of “I Surrender All” is to “Sufflör +++ sB.” And while a liberally applied
nothing short of soulful, the organ’s rich tone and vocoder does little to bolster the delivery, her
billowing vibrato bracing and sharpening Pettay’s Her sophisticated styling captures the original’s presence points away from the music’s claustro-
keening solos. spirit, ebullient with hope and the promise of phobically crammed exercises in virtuosity. To
One of the bandleader’s strengths is her obvi- new beginnings. First Fruit could do with more be clear, it’s not Eger and company playing well
ous fluency in deep-fried Southern gospel, and original music, though; just three new songs are that’s the problem. It’s that they seem to want the
her masterful ability to fuse a sanctified sound included here. But the lack of freshly penned work music to express virtuosity, rather than any artis-
with other distinct styles—r&b and jazz, in par- only stokes anticipation for Pettay’s next project. tic perspective, making Æ a chore to hear.
ticular. “Straight Street” takes listeners on a jaun- A worthy first effort, First Fruit should appeal to —Bill Meyer
ty journey, with Jimmy MacBride’s drums driv- both saints and sinners. —Samantha Willis Æ: HERb +++ gA; Oxford Supernova +++ jC; IOEDWLTO +++ hP;
ing the beat at a steady clip. Sands’ chording adds datn +++ oS; Sugaruzd +++ pT; Monolith +++ tR; Severn B +++ fP; ?irl
First Fruit: Whatever Happens; I Am Thine O Lord; First Fruit; You MIP +++ hH; Never Not +++ kMp; Sufflör +++ sB. (42:50)
layers of color and complexity to the track, while Make Me Feel Brand New; For Wayne; Straight Street; I Exalt Thee; I Personnel: Robin Mullarkey, electric bass, Wurlitzer, Prophet 12;
Surrender All; Are You Washed In The Blood. (53:50) Matt Calvert, guitar, Korg Trident, electronics, Juno 6; Dan Nicholls,
Luke Sellick’s bass perfectly punctuates the piece. Personnel: Jordan Pettay, alto, soprano saxophone; Christian Wurlitzer, Prophet 12; Ivo Neame, Mellotron; Petter Eldh, synthe-
In her playing the tune, Pettay pays tribute to Sands, piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3; Luke Sellick, sizer, electric bass, guitar; Anton Eger, drums, phake pandeiro,
bass; Jimmy Macbride, drums; Mat Jodrell (1, 4), trumpet; Joe stunt surdo, tambourine; Juliette Marland, vocals; Otis Sandsjö,
John Coltrane, who penned the song in 1957, a McDonough (1, 4), trombone. saxophone; Niels Broos, synethesizer; Mathias Heise, harmonica.
few weeks after parting ways with Miles Davis. Ordering info: outsideinmusic.com Ordering info: editionrecords.com

54 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 Alex Sipiagin
NoFo Skies
BLUE ROOM MUSIC 1005
+++½
For the past few years, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin
has led sharp three-horn groups whose interplay
injects fresh vibrancy into his deceptively tricky
tunes. In 2017, he released a sharp sextet record-
ing of such conversations, Moments Captured.
And recently, Sipiagin reassembled the troupe for
NoFo Skies, an album focused as much on song,
groove and feel as it is on spirited exchanges (with
a couple of brief detours).
Those fast and intricately interwoven parts
introduce the album on the uptempo “Rush.”
Jasper Blom Quartet Sipiagin, along with tenor saxophonist Chris
Potter and alto player Will Vinson, blend elon-
tals and vocalist/lyricist Alina Engibaryan lean-
ing into contemporary r&b. She offers a low-key
Polyphony gated and staccato lines while framing keyboard- approach to these tunes with a breathy sound
WHIRLWIND 4732
ist John Escreet’s electronic explorations as Eric and subtle lifts, which sound particularly effec-
++½ Harland contributes fierce, yet understated, hip- tive on “Recovery.” Sipiagin responds with
Sprawling double live albums aren’t exactly a hop influenced drumming. Such combinations similar upward movements that blend in with
dime a dozen. The bulk of such large-scale define much of NoFo Skies. Potter comes across as the ensemble.
recordings usually are reserved for a particular sounding both aggressive and relaxed on the title On longer tracks, like “Shadows,” bassist
set of jazz royalty and unearthed archival trea- track, while Sipiagin eases into high notes atop Matt Brewer’s funk keeps the band from fly-
sures. And while Jasper Blom performed with of Harland’s heavy accents on “Start Of ... .” On ing into the ethereal. When things get too calm,
Lee Konitz and Chet Baker, the tenor saxophon- another upbeat piece, “Savoir,” Escreet seems to though, Sipiagin quickly turns everything
ist’s standing in the annals of jazz still is a work in guide the horns’ multidirectional approach and around during surprising twists on “Between
progress. That makes Polyphony, a two-disc live Sipiagin’s warm tone. Still, the track’s coda would AM’s,” while Harland’s attack recalls classic
set caught on tape at Amsterdam’s Bimhuis, an have been better with a firm resolution, rather Motown drummers like Richard “Pistol” Allen.
anomaly. Blom is a force in Norway’s vibrant jazz than a fadeout. Engibaryan’s words are unfailingly optimistic,
scene, but does he carry enough weight to war- Sipiagin abandons velocity for open spaces while the music echoes her ideal. —Aaron Cohen
rant a double album? Yes and no. and minimalist arrangements on the abstract
NoFo Skies: Rush; NoFo Skies; Recovery; Savoir; Sky 1; Shadows;
Augmented by his longtime quartet and fea- “Sky 1” and “Sky 2.” Ambient synthesizer and Start Of …; Sky 2; Between AM’s; For You. (76:49)
turing two special guests on each program percussive effects drive these thematically con- Personnel: Alex Sipiagin, trumpet; Chris Potter, tenor saxophone;
Will Vinson, alto saxophone; John Escreet, keyboards; Matt Brewer,
(trumpeter Bert Joris on the first set, trombon- nected tracks, which serve as quiet interludes bass; Eric Harland, drums; Alina Engibaryan, vocals.
ist Nils Wogram on the second), Polyphony cer- between the harmonically complex instrumen- Ordering info: theblueroommusic.com
tainly boasts fine musicianship and an organic
rapport. But it drags on a bit too long, while fall-
ing short on thrills. With a mixed bag of origi-
nals on the first disc, the quartet glides along with
a laid-back modern jazz feel that leans on infec-
tiously melodic composition that boasts room
for meandering improvisational territory. Loose-
limbed grooves, warm hooks and free-flowing
interplay are Blom and company’s strong suits;
their instrumentation melts into one another on
the serene “Virelai” and the delicately strutting
“Fontayne.” But Polyphony doesn’t kick into high
gear until Wogram joins the fray, helping spear-
head a muscular touch. Things finally get loud on
the rollicking and funky “Running Gag” and on
the herky-jerky “Least Of Your Worries,” but that
moxie is short-lived. Polyphony might be better
served by plucking out the filler and paring it all
down to a compact, single disc. —Brad Cohan
Polyphony: Disc One: Waltz For Magnus; Guidonean Hand;
Virelai; Fontayne; The Lady And The Unicorn Homme; Arme; Beatus
Vir; Ciconia. Disc Two: Decidophobia; Running Gag; Nancy In The
Sky; Macedonian Candidate; Least Of Your Worries; Monk Fish
Cleopatra; Whirl; Antidote. (60:27/50:21)
Personnel: Jasper Blom, tenor saxophone; Bert Joris, trumpet;
Jesse Van Ruller, guitar; Frans Van Der Hoeven, bass; Martijn Vink;
drums; Nils Wogram, trombone.
Ordering info: whirlwindrecordings.com

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 55

 Blues / BY FRANK-JOHN HADLEY

Poignant Self-Expression
Michael Jerome Browne, That’s Where It’s

SUZAN JONES
At! (Borealis 256; 43:16 ++++) From tradi-
tional acoustic blues and spirituals to Stevie Won-
der, Randy Newman, Sam Cooke and Al Green,
Browne’s an outstanding interpreter who instills
all the covers on his ninth album with a ring of
authenticity. That’s also the case with two instru-
mentals that this Montrealer composed himself,
as well as with three songs he penned with lyricist
B.A. Markus. Browne’s vocals and guitar finger-
ings, along with turns on banjo and harmonica,
are temperate, controlled, full of humility and
John Raymond
convincing in tone. Just as welcoming are the Real Feels Live, Vol. 2
complementary efforts of guest singers and sty- SUNNYSIDE 1535
listic confrères Eric Bibb, Harrison Kennedy and ++++
Roxanne Potvin.
Sugaray Rayford Albums like Real Feels Live, Vol. 2—a recording
Ordering info: borealisrecords.com
Sugaray Rayford, Somebody Save Me of an artist taking their most recent studio efforts
(Forty Below 021; 41:01 +++½) On his fifth Tommy Castro, Killin’ It Live (Alligator out for a spin in front of a crowd and allowing
solo release, Californian Rayford, all 6 feet, 5 4989; 55:44 +++½) Fleshed out with covers of the concert experience to inform and impact the
inches and 300 pounds of him, brandishes a Buddy Miles’ “Them Changes” and Sleepy John material—are becoming rare commodities in
soul-blues voice that has an emotional strength Estes’ “Leaving Trunk,” Castro’s second concert the modern marketplace. The mood of the times
equal to the plea of the balladic title track and release features top-tier originals from across his seems to be to keep cranking out new material
the declaratory sweep of “Time To Get Movin’.” 15 albums and 30-plus years in music. Castro is in and, like a standup comedian, remove it from the
Producer-engineer and multi-instrumentalist Eric sterling form as a vocalist and guitarist at shows live repertoire after an album has been released.
Corne composed all 10 tracks, all generally ac- in four states this past year. And particularly good
The compulsion of flugelhorn player John
ceptable, though Radford, who was brought up is the slow blues “Lose Lose,” a display of the pain
Raymond to release this live set was as thought-
in a gospel church, has a history of crystallizing his expended on a splintered love. Castro heads
most poignant self-expression in songs he wrote what might be his sharpest touring band since ful as the effort that went into crafting material
himself. Rayford’s fine guitarist, Alastair Greene, the ensemble with keyboardist Jim Pugh on for his 2018 studio album, Joy Ride. The songs are,
isn’t present, a shame. 2000’s Live At The Fillmore (Blind Pig). in several cases, radically altered here with new
Ordering info: fortybelowrecords.com Ordering info: alligator.com tempos and textures, and entirely new moods
Bloodest Saxophone, Texas Queens 5 Various Artists, Feelin’ Right Satur- applied. The best example might be the troupe’s
(VizzTone 0030; 42:09 ++) Japan’s zanily day Night: The Ric & Ron Anthology (Craft take on the 2018 album’s title track: In its stu-
named Bloodest Saxophone (a pair of saxo- 00149; 70:11 ++++) Several Italian-American dio guise, the song begins with the gentle trot of
phones, trombone, guitar, bass, drums) traveled record producers had key roles in the good health a singing cowboy classic, before a broken-beat
to Austin, Texas, to record this album with lead- of New Orleans r&b in the late 1950s and early
groove from drummer Colin Stranahan kicks
ing female blues singers. These tourists don’t so 1960s. Among them was the Ric & Ron label’s
in and points toward more modern territory. On
much connect musically and emotionally with Joe Ruffino, who welcomed fresh input from
Diunna Greenleaf, Crystal Thomas, Jai Malano, youngblood Mac Rebennack (later Dr. John) this live take, guitarist Gilad Hekselman slows his
Lauren Cervantes and Angela Miller as supply and bandleader Edgar Blanchard. This 28-track opening ramble down to a crawl, layering flutter-
them with over-studied simulations of blues and overview, curated by ever-dependable Scott Bil- ing atmospherics over top. When Raymond and
r&b forms. Greenleaf comes off as the queen- lington with Mason Williams, soars highest with Stranahan join in, the mood is late-night soul that
liest, investing opener “I’ve Got A Feeling” with two party-time exemplars: Professor Longhair’s slips smoothly into more abstract territory, while
Big Mama Thornton-like power. BS didn’t dare “Go To The Mardi Gras” and Al Johnson’s “Car- not losing one bit of its momentum.
ask any of them to sing on the band’s misbegot- nival Time.” Almost as appealing are tracks by What this live set also helps clarify is how
ten roof raisers “Pork Chop Chick” and “Cock- first-time-in-a-studio singers Johnny Adams (his much noise a contemporary trio can summon.
roach Run.” heart-on-sleeve testimonials “A Losing Battle,”
Hekselman makes judicious use of loop pedals
Ordering info: vizztone.com “I Won’t Cry” and “Life Is Just A Struggle”) and
to help set the bass line for many of these songs,
Matt Andersen, Halfway Home By Irma Thomas (her declarations “Don’t Mess With
Morning (True North 715; 52:32 ++½) Cana- My Man” and “I May Be Wrong”). Also acquitting building up atmospherics. The density of his
dian bluesman Andersen rates as one of the most themselves commendably are minor stars Tom- efforts is something easily achieved via overdubs
soulful singers anywhere, and many of the lyrics my Ridgley, Chris Kenner, Eddie Bo and Robert and multitrack recording software, but here, he,
of the original songs on his 12th album, recorded Parker, along with obscurities Lenny Capello, Raymond and Stranahan are left to bring the
in Nashville, seem torn from the depths of feeling. Lee Tillman and others. Bo gets too many tracks same density of sound without a safety net. They
However, he’s undercut by several things, includ- with five, but, this cavil and several more aside, meet the challenge, surpass expectations and
ing a few so-so original songs, Music City-based Feelin’ Right is recommended. Alternate choice: turn in a spectacular work of art. —Robert Ham
Canadian Steve Dawson’s paint-by-numbers pro- Ace Records’ 2014 Ric & Ron collection, You Talk
duction and the McCrary Sisters’ irksome, over- Too Much, has slightly preferable song selection Real Feels Live, Vol. 2: Follower; Minnesota, WI; Be Still Intro; Be
blown backup singing. and sequencing. DB Still, My Soul; Joy Ride; The Times They Are A-Changin’. (53:55)
Personnel: John Raymond, flugelhorn; Gilad Hekselman, guitar;
Ordering info: truenorthrecords.com Ordering info: craftrecordings.com Colin Stranahan, drums.
Ordering info: sunnysiderecords.com

56 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 ceedings, starting with the opening track,
“Vårflow (Spring Flow),” and the leader’s sharp
soprano solo. Despite the promise and a sense
of a work-in-progress, not everything comes
together as cohesively as it might on future
recordings; Falkenberg’s compositional sense
can sound sketchy or just shy of originality.
The title track, for instance, unfolds with her
reverb-bathed intro, but lapses into an unre-
markable groove, and “Loke” suffers from
melodic stiffness. But artistic focus arrives
later in the album, as on the melancholy tinged
“Sorry” and the spooky fusion vamp of “Under
Terskelen (Below The Threshold),” under-
scored by an ambling plectrum-played bass and
Falkenberg’s smartly sculpted solo.
Line & The Lions Jazz history speckles the path here with
hints of the iconic “A Love Supreme” tucked
Benjamin Boone/
Mountain Solitude inside a rhythm guitar part on “Shannon”
Philip Levine
LOSEN 203
and capping off the trumpet solo on “Happy.” The Poetry Of Jazz,
++½ Arabic airs swirl on the entrancing, sinuous Volume Two
Contrary to the lyrical, atmospheric sugges- closer, “Chicky,” along with a sense of better ORIGIN 82772
tion of its title, Mountain Solitude—the debut things to come from this outfit. +++
release from Line & The Lions, a troupe led by —Josef Woodard The first release from the collaboration of saxo-
Norwegian saxophonist Line Falkenberg— phonist Benjamin Boone and Pulitzer Prize-
leans into rock and funk. Falkenberg’s a strong Mountain Solitude: Vårflow (Spring Flow); Loke; Vassdraget
winning poet Philip Levine struck an unexpect-
(The Watercourse); Afterski (After Ski); Alene Pa Fjellet (Mountain
and classically trained musician who followed Solitude); Shannon; Vandreren (The Wanderer); Sorry; Under ed chord: The album placed No. 3 in last year’s
Terskelen (Below The Threshold); Novembertone (November Tone);
her heart into fusion-hued terrain during the Happy; That’s it; Chicky. (71:04) DownBeat Readers Poll. The Poetry Of Jazz,
early 2000s, and has something intriguing and Personnel: Line Falkenberg, alto, soprano saxophone; Hayden
Volume Two was recorded at the same sessions
Powell, trumpet; Andreas Haddeland, guitar, baritone guitar,
fresh to offer with this release. rubab; Finn Guttormsen, bass; Jarle Verspestad, drums. that yielded the initial disc, held the year before
Sturdy and spirited playing sparks the pro- Ordering info: losenrecords.no the jazz-loving poet’s death at age 87.
While the first album included Levine’s poems
about such jazz figures as Sonny Rollins, John
Aaron Burnett & Coltrane and Charlie Parker, this follow-up fea-
tures evocations of working-class life from his native
The Big Machine Detroit. His lyrics almost can be visually resonant,
Anomaly such as on “When The Shift Was Over” and “Belle
FRESH SOUND NEW TALENT 566
Isle, 1949.” The spare, smoky setting of a working-
+++½ man’s plaint, “An Ordinary Morning,” just bass
Anomaly is a smart album, in large part because it and wisps of saxophone, feels ideal for the blues of
insists on being so. Saxophonist Aaron Burnett a heavy head. Volume Two also adds instrumen-
has assembled an impressive group, most nota- tal versions of some cuts from the first installment,
bly drummer Tyshawn Sorey, whose mentoring including “They Feed They Lion,” which sees Boone
influence in the avant-garde certainly is appar- incorporate more grit into his sound, befitting a
ent. But this is an album that constantly see- poem about the 1967 Detroit riots. For “The Simple
saws between the experimental and bop, work- Truth,” Boone includes both the track with Levine’s
ing to balance ideas soundly, still trying to sift recitation and, less apt, an arrangement with Karen
through countless ideas. These lengthy com- Marguth’s pure-toned vocalese. However lovingly
positions surely convey grand concepts about produced, Boone’s settings can be marked by a sen-
the movement from bebop to post-bop and into and trumpeter Peter Evans on the album closer, timentality that just isn’t present in Levine’s words.
the contemporary realm, and have no qualms “Ditransparentmension,” is astonishing, raising Such lines as “White hands the color of steel/ They
about accessibility. its energy to dazzling heights before sweeping the have put their lives into steel” seem to ache for a more
“Picassonite” is a burner, offering a clear table with Nick Jozwiak’s grounded bass solo. cutting edge. —Bradley Bambarger
example of the energy to expect across the entire For all the album’s grandiosity, full of sound
album. “No More Bebop?” spans the genre’s devel- and fury, Anomaly comes off feeling like a The Poetry Of Jazz, Volume Two: Let Me Begin Again; An
Ordinary Morning; The Simple Truth; They Feed They Lion; To Cip-
opment, swinging like a bop tune with a melody seminar one might attend just for future cocktail riano, In The Wind; The Poem Circling Hamtramck, MI, All Night, In
that’s like finding water in a desert with a divining party fodder. —Anthony Dean-Harris Search Of You; Belle Isle, 1949; Yakov; Snow; Godspell; The Helmet;
The Simple Truth; The Conductor Of Nothing; South; Saturday
rod. And “Wally’s Stepchildren” has the move- Sweeping; Blood; When The Shift Was Over; Godspell (Homage To
Anomaly: Frontier; Embrace Of The Goddess; Picassonite; No Phil & Brian). (71:58)
ment of a seismic event, as listeners wait to see More Bebop?; Light Beings; Wally’s Stepchildren; The Prototype; Personnel: Benjamin Boone, alto, soprano saxophone; Philip
Ditransparentmension. (71:37) Levine, Karen Marguth (8, 12), vocals; David Aus, Craig Von Berg
where the earth finally might settle. Sorey’s drum- Personnel: Aaron Burnett, tenor, soprano saxophone; Peter (2, 5-7, 13, 16), piano; Spee Kosloff, Nye Morton (1, 11, 17), bass; Brian
ming largely anchors “The Prototype,” his flour- Evans, trumpet; Joel Ross, vibraphone; Carlos Homs, piano; Nick Hamada, Gary Newmark (1, 11, 17), drums; Max Hembd (4, 8, 11, 15),
Jozwiak, bass; Tyshawn Sorey, drums; Corey Wilcox trumpet; Stefan Poetzsch (1, 7), violin; Asher Boone (4), trumpet;
ishes never pushing him too far from timekeep- (3, 5), trombone. Atticus Boone (4), French horn.
er duties. However, the interplay between Burnett Ordering info: freshsoundrecords.com Ordering info: originarts.com

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 57

 Beyond / BY JAMIE LUDWIG

Substantive Turns of Metal

Terence Hannum might be known best for

JOEY WHARTON
his work with experimental metal trio Locrian,
an ensemble that emerged out of Chicago’s
noise scene during the past decade. But the
Baltimore-based musician, author and artist
also keeps busy as a member of dark synth-
pop group the Holy Circle and with a vari-
ety of solo endeavors, including anti-fascist
power electronics project Axebreaker. Pow-
er electronics is one of music’s most brutal
forms, which makes it a fantastic medium for
exploring the darkest elements of humani-
Sunwatchers
ty, and on Brutality In Stone (Phage 263; Inter Arma
Illegal Moves
42:21 ++++), Hannum wastes no time tak- TROUBLE IN MIND 143
ing hatemongers to task. Recorded live, the work within metal. Richmond, Virginia’s In- +++
album’s harsh atmospheres, dense drones ter Arma embody those qualities in its raw,
The cover of Sunwatchers’ Illegal Moves depicts a
and obscured, but impassioned, vocals chal- majestic fusions of black metal, post-rock,
lenge the listener to confront and resist the sludge and doom. And on its fourth album, radicalized Kool-Aid Man pushing back against a
creeping influence of neo-fascism around the Sulphur English (Relapse RR7410 67:43 murderers’ row of iconic conservative bogeymen,
globe. Among the album’s standout tracks ++++½), the ensemble seems capable of from Nixon to Thatcher to Ted Nugent. And its
are tributes to two U.S. citizens murdered both reaching the stars and burrowing into musical content mirrors the entertainment value
by white supremacists: “Disorder (For Alan the Earth’s core, often within in a single song. of the image: utterly enjoyable, crowd-pleasingly
Berg)” muses on the radio host who was as- Opening with “Bumgardner,” a slow-building right on and comfortably familiar.
sassinated in 1984, and “All Monuments Fall noise-addled tribute to their friend—Indian The New York-based quartet unveiled its
(For Heather Heyer),” named for the activist and Lord Mantis drummer Bill Bumgardner, noisy, psychedelic jazz-rock on a self-titled 2016
who was killed while protesting the far-right who passed away in 2016—the band swiftly
album, and for its third recording, the ensem-
in Charlottesville, Virginia, during 2017. builds a world where haunting vocal har-
ble keeps intact the formula that made its first
Ordering info: phagetapes.miiduu.com monies (“Stillness”) and gothic soundscapes
Tokyo noise/metal/rock hybrid En- (“Blood On The Lupines”) perfectly inter- two releases so compelling. Bassist Peter Kerlin
don has gained a reputation as the kind of twine with the grimiest guitar lines and most and drummer Jason Robira underpin most songs
band its peers turn to when they want to scathing screams the band has conjured to with tight, repetitive rhythmic figures. Reedist
hear something fresh and something like- date. Jeff Tobias’ adenoidal squawking ratchets up the
ly to blow minds—and possibly, speakers, Ordering info: relapse.com tension in some places, and in others develops
too. Produced by Atsuo, drummer of Tokyo London’s Teeth Of The Sea formed in any number of the album’s memorable tunes.
psych legends Boris, Endon’s latest effort, 2006, and over the years, the band’s proven “Beautiful Crystals” starts with Kerlin and
Boy Meets Girl (Thrill Jockey 485; 29:40 that the only limits placed on heavy music Robira playing a thumping, looping pat-
++++), was conceived as the soundtrack of are self-imposed. On its fifth album, Wraith
tern. Tobias, doubling on keys, and guitar-
an imaginary horror film about love, and it’s (Rocket Recordings; 46:57 ++++½), the
ist Jim McHugh weave a melodic latticework
easy to hear the dueling forces of terror and three-piece instrumental group continues
romance throughout its cacophonous, larger- its tradition of nontradition; that is, the en- that repeats and expands into fractal complexi-
than-life sounding tracks. When the panting semble incorporates sonic flavors as varied ty. McHugh’s distorted, wah-wah helps the track
of vocalist Taichi Nagura morphs into breathy as jazz, death metal, synth-pop, Krautrock, breathe, and Kerlin’s subtly shifting bass line adds
shrieks on “Doubts As A Source,” it seems just classical and electronic into their hypnotic, depth. But “Everybody Play” is the album’s sin-
as likely he’s making those noises out of fear sophisticated songs, often with a host of cerest and jazziest statement, opening into a roll-
as because he’s in the midst of getting it on. cinematic influences. (This band would be ing improvisational section that finds McHugh
But regardless of the concept behind it all, equally at home scoring a spy caper, a spa- buzzsawing and Tobias screeching freely.
Boy Meets Girl is just plain fun; if you need ghetti Western, science fiction or romantic Despite the album cover’s implied promise,
more evidence, just feast your ears on the film.) As sleek or as graceful as it ever gets
though, nothing revolutionary takes place.
Motorhead-worthy guitar riffs layered with (note the bells, acoustic strings and the ethe-
Instead, Illegal Moves offers a highly literate, tech-
harsh noise and rumbling low-end sounds real, harmonious interplay from their female
on “Final Acting Out.” guest vocalists on “Fortean Steed”), Teeth Of nically proficient blend of familiar sounds from
Ordering info: thrilljockey.com The Sea finds a balance amid moments that templates frequently associated with insurgent
Since metal emerged a half century ago, are playful, jarring or seem to embody the potential. The album succeeds when its composi-
plenty of clichés and stereotypes have been coldness or sorrow that’s part of life—such tions outgrow their influences, or when moments
associated with the music, as well as its fans as the mournful trumpet lines folded into of sincerity peep through. —Andrew Jones
(some of which are not completely unde- the shape-shifting opening track, “I’d Rather,
served). Though the mainstream largely has Jack.” The only real problem with Wraith is Illegal Moves: New Dad Blues; Beautiful Crystals; Greeneyed
written the genre off as lacking substance, that when its last song ends, listeners are left Pigmen (Get The Blade); Everybody Play; Psychic Driving; Ptah, The
El Daoud; Strollin Coma Blues. (40:35)
anyone who truly loves music would be pining for the band’s next musical adventure Personnel: Jim McHugh, guitar, electric phin, saz; Jeff Tobias,
mistaken to deny the inventiveness, musi- to begin. DB alto saxophone, keyboards, bass clarinet; Peter Kerlin, bass; Jason
Robira, drums, percussion; Jonah Rapino, violin (1, 6); David
cianship and artistic ambition of many who Ordering info: rocketrecordings.bandcamp.com Kadden, oboe (6).
Ordering info: troubleinmindrecs.com

58 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 Carolyn Fitzhugh
Living In Peace
IYOUWE 1010
+++
Carolyn Fitzhugh wraps her versatile voice
around heartfelt originals and intriguing cov-
ers—not all on the mark—on Living In Peace,
her sophomore album. Bracketed by a sparkling
take on Average White Band’s charmingly dated
“Queen Of My Soul” and the ballad “Alone In
The World,” the disc’s 12 tunes effectively cover a
pop-music waterfront based in the ’70s and ’80s.
What’s admirable about this easygoing
album is its eclecticism. Not only has Fitzhugh
eschewed the Great American Songbook, the
Nicolas Stocker bandleader has also come up with diverse
arrangements and recastings, spanning the
A Lover,” are endearing, and her duet with bou-
doir-voiced Freddy Cole on “I’m Not Alone (Anjo
SOLO shimmering rendition of Gil Scott-Heron’s De Mim)” is just haunting.
RONIN RHYTHM 021
“Combinations” and the bright arrangement of Despite a few missteps, Living In Peace pres-
+++½ Johnny Pate’s “Yes I Know When I’ve Had It.” ents a singer of taste and range, and showcases
Zurich-born percussionist Nicolas Stocker isn’t An alto flute solo by Fitzhugh’s husband, Bart her confidence and daring alongside notable con-
necessarily well-known to American jazz audi- Platteau, and Wayne Escoffery’s tenor lend the tributors like guitarist Rez Abassi and drummer
ences, but he’s a rising star in Europe, hav- Pate tune some drive and body. Rudy Royston. —Carlo Wolff
ing recently joined Swiss pianist Nik Bärtsch’s The Chicago-based singer can be too enthu- Living In Peace: Queen Of My Soul; I’m Not Alone (Anjo De
Mobile ensemble. With SOLO, Stocker debuts as siastic, however. Her rushed reading of James Mim); Wish I Knew; Combinations; Secret O’ Life; Living In Peace;
Intimate Acquaintances; Strollin’; Once Upon A Lover; Yes I Know
a leader of one, five tracks recorded with no over- Taylor’s “Secret O’ Life” turns the relaxed orig- When I’ve Had It; In The Autumn; Alone In The World. (51:46)
dubs on a drum set enhanced by gongs and care- inal jumpy, and she flattens the arch, androgy- Personnel: Carolyn Fitzhugh, vocals; Rez Abassi, guitar; Nanny
Assis, vocals, percussion; Freddy Cole (2), vocals; Wayne Escoffery,
fully tuned woodblocks. nous wit of Prince’s “Strollin’” into something tenor saxophone; Amina Figarova, keyboards; David Gibson, trom-
bone; Yasushi Nakamura, bass; Alex Norris, trumpet; Bart Platteau,
“Bells For Pony, Prelude,” “Bells For No more busy than urgent. But originals, such as the alto flute; Rudy Royston, drums.
One” and “Bells For Pony, Postlude” each offer upbeat title track and the ebullient “Once Upon Ordering info: carolynfitzhughmusic.com
myriad textures and overtones, brushing and
vibrating in a timeless gambol, with the lower
fundamentals powerful enough to make one’s
heart tremor. “Burst” is a brisk gallop on muted
gongs that gives way to a building avalanche
of cymbal wash, transferring to deep toms
that tumble over one another, à la Japanese
taiko drumming.
The signature track here, “Polyrub,” is a doc-
toral thesis-worthy demonstration of poly-
rhythm during which Stocker makes the impos-
sible possible by simultaneously achieving with
his four limbs groupings of five, seven, three,
and perhaps all other prime numbers. The near-
ly 17-minute piece starts with a single ostinato,
gradually integrating additional grooves that
interlock and swirl around each other like an
automated Rubik’s Cube trying to solve itself,
even as it adds layer upon layer of color. Stocker
introduces an element of surprise in the form of
what sounds like a house beat, displaying an abil-
ity to create electronic music via acoustic means.
Listening to SOLO requires some patience,
though: The pieces all are unhurried and pur-
posefully recurrent. Yet, Stocker manages to
create genuine drama in the gradual unfold-
ing of his plot, and the payoff is in our dawning
awareness of it. —Gary Fukushima

SOLO: Bells For Pony, Prelude; Polyrub; Bells For No One; Burst;
Bells For Pony, Postlude. (41:40)
Personnel: Nicolas Stocker, drums, percussion.
Ordering info: roninrhythmrecords.com

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 59

 Historical / BY HERB BOYD

Emblems of Striking Careers

Earl “Fatha” Hines was a transformative

KATHY KIRK
and transitional pianist whose style bridged
the Dixieland music popularized by Louis
Armstrong and the modern developments
led by Charlie Parker. My Tribute To Lou-
is: Piano Solos By Earl Hines (Org 1023;
38:57 +++½), issued in 1971, less than two
weeks after Satchmo’s death, is a heartfelt
tribute to his friend and associate. Two of the
nine solo renditions, “Pennies From Heaven”
and “Confessin’,” offer a full exposition of
Hines’ formidable artistry. Always at play is
Hedvig Mollestad Trio
his sweeping virtuosity that shifts perceptibly Smells Funny
from Dixieland to ragtime to incipient bebop RUNE GRAMMOFON 2203
motifs. On each of these numbers, the melo- +++½
dy isn’t obscured, as it sometimes is in Hines’
Marion Brown When a power trio can share the stage comfort-
flourishing rhythmic and orchestral sound.
Hearing Hines at the keyboard is to witness Marion Brown and pianist Dave Burrell ably with the likes of John McLaughlin and Black
the evolution of the piano from Jelly Roll was captured on Live At The Black Musi- Sabbath, you know two things: They rock hard,
Morton to Fats Waller to Art Tatum. And be- cians’ Conference 1981 (NoBusiness 109; yet provide enough harmonic content and impro-
tween these iconic figures, Hines never miss- 73:88 ++++). At the time, Brown and Bur- visational daring to make it interesting. Norway’s
es an opportunity to provide what were to rell were among the prominent musicians Hedvig Mollestad Trio does precisely that on its
become his own innovative creations, often in the new wave of music, often defined as sixth album. Recorded live in the studio, Smells
garnished with dashes of boogie-woogie and “free.” While they were quite capable of ex- Funny is a metal-jazz excursion that often tips
fascinating tremolos. pressing themselves through avant-garde into the Sonny Sharrock zone, fueled by Ellen
Ordering info: orgmusic.com means, both were well-grounded in bebop
Brekken’s rumbling bass, Ivar Loe Bjørnstad’s
Unlike so much that exploded during and beyond, and evidence of that flows
insistent pulse and Mollestad’s hellacious chops
the late ’60s and early ’70s amid the insur- brilliantly in their treatment of Billy Stray-
gent Black Power and the Black Liberation horn’s “Lush Life” and Brown’s Latin-tinged and fertile imagination.
movements, Imamu Amiri Baraka’s It’s “La Placita.” Brown died in 2010, but Burrell From the crunching opener “Beastie, Beastie”
Nation Time: African Visionary Music continues to thrive, most recently at a solo to the odd-metered, Mahavishnu-esque “First
(Motown/UMe 0028723; 51:22 ++½) performance in New York City during a trib- Thing To Pop Is The Eye,” the trio is remark-
failed to gain wide popularity in 1972, when ute to Scott Joplin’s music, further display- ably tight, unapologetically loud and surging
it was released. Michael Dinwiddie, an as- ing the pianist’s versatility. with energy. The lone ballad here, the delicate
sociate professor at New York University, Ordering info: nobusinessrecords.com “Jurášek,” features Brekken on upright bass and
helmed a recent panel of experts discuss- Many Bob Dorough fans probably has Bjørnstad underscoring with a loosely swing-
ing Black Forum, the label for which the came aboard after the popularity of the
ing, interactive touch on the kit.
album originally was produced by Woodie songs he composed and performed for
“Sugar Rush Mountain,” which opens like
King Jr., and concluded that the recording Schoolhouse Rock!, an educational chil-
was poorly distributed. That lapse might dren’s cartoon series that ran on Saturday Mollestad’s answer to The Allman Brothers’
have stemmed from the company’s lack mornings during the 1970s. But Dorough, anthemic “Whipping Post,” eventually heads into
of enthusiasm for the product. But along who died April 23, 2018, at the age of 94, full-blown Hendrixian territory. A free-jazz inter-
with Baraka’s strident voice, an ensemble left a trove of delightful music, including lude, “Bewitched, Dwarfed And Defeathered,”
of singers and musicians, including such his final trio release, 2015’s But For Now provides a kinetic platform for Mollestad to
notables as Gary Bartz, James Mtume and (Enja 9627; 51:13 +++½). Although his launch into some of her skronkiest fusillades of
Reggie Workman, create a cacophony voice had lost some of the exuberance that the set. And the raucous closer, “Lucidness,” is a
of sound that in many ways mirrored the characterized his performances, his inter- rubato noise-jazz romp that might draw its inspi-
turbulent times. Percussionist Mtume’s pretative feel still is apparent, particularly
ration from Hendrix’s “Third Stone From the
“Chant” opens this vinyl reissue, and the as his cohort—alto saxophonist Michael
Sun,” while building to the “shards of splintered
insistent rhythm reaches an almost frenet- Hornstein and bassist Tony Marino—delve
ic pace, so much so it tends to drown out into such standards as “Stars Fell On Ala- glass” approach of Sharrock and Pete Cosey.
the spoken words and lyrics. That regret- bama” and “Prelude To A Kiss.” Their ver- When Frank Zappa famously said, “Jazz is
table imbalance might have been another sion of “Better Than Anything” was remi- not dead, it just smells funny,” he was referring to
reason why the recording initially didn’t niscent of the Dorough who captivated a moldering of the music. The Hedvig Mollestad
receive all that much attention. audiences in the early years, when it was a Trio aims at providing an antidote with this
Ordering info: universalmusic.com splendid surprise to hear him on a record- audacious outing. —Bill Milkowski
In 1981, a retinue of African American ing by Miles Davis, performing “Nothing
artists and activists participated in the Like You” at the end of Sorcerer. All of this
Smells Funny: Beastie, Beastie; First Thing To Pop Is The Eye;
Black Musicians’ Conference at the Uni- coheres on But For Now and is the hallmark Jurášek; Sugar Rush Mountain; Bewitched, Dwarfed And Defeath-
versity of Massachusetts. Fortunately, of his distinguished career. DB ered; Lucidness. (34:50)
Personnel: Hedvig Mollestad Thomassen, guitar; Ellen Brekken,
the appearance there of alto saxophonist Ordering info: enjarecords.com bass; Ivar Loe Bjørnstad, drums.
Ordering info: runegrammofon.com

60 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 opening beat on closer “New Direction,” lis-
teners know something has shifted—in a good
way. If a gap exists between that blue period and
today, this album bridges any perceived gulf.
Nick Finzer’s trombone exudes liquid brass
on the opener, and the sextet cooks on
“Coppertone,” its bass line front-and-center
amid a catchy melody, and the harmonic play-
ing of saxophonists Tarantino and Sam Dillon.
A cool vibe marinates in “Stunts And Twists,”
Hirahara’s crystal-like opening, bassist Boris
Kozlov’s punctuations, Royston’s swishing and
Finzer’s accenting set the mood for Tarantino
and Dillon to meld tonality and color, creating
layered complexity.
Some of the compositions here originated on
Something Blue earlier Posi-Tone releases, and others were
newly penned by Hirahara, Royston, Dillon and
McPhee/Butcher
Maximum Enjoyment Tarantino. There’s likely a more sophisticated
At The Hill Of James Magee
POSI-TONE 8189 TROST 174
way of saying Maximum Enjoyment delivers on
++++ its title’s promise. But let’s applaud Free’s ability
++++
Producer Marc Free has accomplished his goal of to bring these performers together to create Given the respective reputations of saxophonists
recalling the 1950s blue period and capturing its memorable music that sounds fresh, while Joe McPhee and John Butcher in the field of outer
nuances, while constructing an accessible and remaining grounded in something old, familiar limits sound exploration, it’s fitting that At The
pleasurable album with a sextet that paints with and intriguing. —Michele L. Simms-Burton Hill Of James Magee, a 2010 recording just now
broad and intricate strokes, tells a story and gets seeing release, finds the duo collaborating—for
funky. Maximum Enjoyment: Slick; Coppertone; Stunts And Twists; the first time—not just on the edges of sound, but
Aoi Blu; Overcooked; Vast; Breeze; Cluster Funk; Shift; Why Aren’t
From the first note of Alexa Tarantino’s alto You Excited; New Directions. (54:10)
near the edge of civilization. The titular structure,
saxophone during the opener, “Slick,” to Art Personnel: Alexa Tarantino, alto saxophone; Nick Finzer, consisting of four buildings connected by a series
trombone; Sam Dillon, tenor saxophone; Art Hirahara, piano; Boris
Hirahara’s masterful harmonics on “Aoi Blu” Kozlov, bass; Rudy Royston, drums. of paths, where this album was recorded is a qua-
and drummer Rudy Royston dropping the Ordering info: posi-tone.com si-fortress in West Texas’ Chihuahuan Desert.
That both players are aggressive in exploring
the unique acoustic opportunities should almost
go without saying. The opener, “Sometimes Yes,
Rigmor Gustafsson Sometimes No,” uses space most explicitly, with
Come Home each saxophonist traversing the monument’s
ACT 9737 long walkways and the recorded stereo spectrum,
++++ crossing each other’s path and ending opposite
where they started.
Come Home marks Swedish jazz vocalist
The alternating solo tracks that follow aren’t
Rigmor Gustafsson’s return to the studio after a
as explicit in this regard, but still impacted by
four-year hiatus. Working with a cadre of long-
space. Unconventional locales are Butcher’s bread
time lyricists, she funnels a deluge of new songs
and butter, and he bounces percussive blurts and
into a creative reservoir edged by the fabulous
hard-angled tenor trills against The Hill’s natu-
trio of Jonas Östholm on piano, Martin Höper
ral slapback. McPhee’s alto is a more tender thing,
on bass, and Chris Montgomery on drums.
even at its most oblique. But he’s no slouch when
Behind Gustafsson’s technical prowess
it comes to letting his tone dance off Magee’s iron
beats a troubadour’s heart. Songs like “I Think
doors and shale rock. The album ends with a
Of You” and “Take A Little Turn” crosshatch cially on the set’s lovingly arranged covers. Both
shorter duet, “St. Ida’s Breath (Less Her Neck And
sly chord changes with unfiltered cadences Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” and Kate Bush’s
Teeth),” a tune as pensive as it abstract, the desert
and find her adapting to various subject matter “Wuthering Heights” highlight Gustafsson’s tal-
wind serving as a tentative collaborator.
with ease. Her band is equally responsive, soft- ent for simultaneously mimicking her source
Dedicated fans of either player won’t be too
ening her urgencies and heightening her mel- and being herself, but nowhere so deeply as
surprised by what they do together here. Nor will
ancholies. Guest harpist Margareta Bengtsson on “Twist In My Sobriety,” which turns Tanita
they be disappointed. Like any great improvisers,
adds sparkle to “The Light Years,” one of the Tikaram’s classic into a plush groove. Featuring
McPhee and Butcher are as much masters of deep
album’s strongest turns, while Östholm’s pia- the accordion of Lisa Långbacka, it pays tribute
listening as they are of extended techniques, and
nism draws a bold underline from start to fin- to an era not so much bygone as buried under
here, they bring all those skills to bear.
ish. Much of the lyrical content plays with time, our current malaise. —Tyran Grillo
—Dustin Krcatovich
as over the gorgeous colorations of Höper and
Montgomery on “Winter Doesn’t End” and Come Home: Big Yellow Taxi; I Think Of You; Take A Little Turn;
The Light Years; This Time; Wuthering Heights; Twist In My Sobriety; At The Hill Of James Magee: Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No;
“Enjoy The Day.” Lovely; Winter Doesn’t End; Enjoy The Day; Come Home. (53:38) Mine Shaft; Paradise Overcast; A Forty Foot Square Room; Torcello;
Whether in the upbeat bossa nova of Personnel: Rigmor Gustafsson, vocals; Jonas Östholm, piano; St. Ida’s Breath (Less Her Neck And Teeth). (49:51)
Martin Höper, bass; Chris Montgomery, drums; Margareta Bengts- Personnel: Joe McPhee, alto saxophone; John Butcher, tenor
“Lovely” or the anthemic title track, Gustafsson son (4), harp; Lisa Långbacka (7), accordion. saxophone.
handles moods with distinct personality, espe- Ordering info: actmusic.com Ordering info: trost.at

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 61

 Books / BY EUGENE HOLLEY JR.

Tribe, Through a Prism of Jazz

The undeniably influential rap group A Tribe
Called Quest utilized jazz samples and was
proudly Afrocentric, yet it also drew on rock and
music from across the globe during a six-album
career. Formed in 1988, ATCQ’s subject matter
ranged between “people busting caps and like
Mandela being free,” and included dashes of hu-
mor and astute assessments of American politics
and culture.
But it’s mostly through the prism of jazz
that poet and critic Hanif Abdurraqib examines Madness Of Crowds
ATCQ’s artistry in his splendid book, Go Ahead Tulips
in the Rain: Notes to a Tribe Called Quest HIPPO MACHINE 0001
(University of Texas Press). The author—who
most recently wrote They Can’t Kill Us Until They
++++
Kill Us—grew up in an Ohio household filled with The city of Chicago long has been a hub for the
jazz, and was inspired to play trumpet by Miles adventurous side of jazz, producing avant-gar-
Davis’ legacy. Abdurraqib also was child of hip- de legends like Lester Bowie and Anthony
hop, and for him, ATCQ “made rap music for our Braxton. That spirit still is thriving today as evi-
parents and theirs, but left the door open wide denced by this awe-inspiring recording from the
enough for anyone to sneak through.”
modern-day supergroup Madness Of Crowds.
He traces the group’s origins in Queens,
where childhood friends John Fareed (Q-Tip), an album that also boasted the De La Soul-
Boasting a lineup that includes multi-instrumen-
Malik Taylor (Phife Dawg) and Jarobi White grew meets-Weldon Irvine single “Award Tour,” and talist Joe Adamik, bassist Matt Lux and tenor
up listening to Afrika Bambaataa. They later the smoothed-out, Ron Foster-derived “Elec- saxophonist Nate Lepine, this debut four-song
joined forces with DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad tronic Relaxation,” a track where Phife boasts release is the product of a five-hour improvisa-
and slowly coalesced as a group, joining a loose about being a “five-foot freak” and threatens to tion by the ensemble that was winnowed down to
collective of like-minded black artists called Na- “[b]ust off on your couch,” transforming it into two 20-minute segments and a pair of sound col-
tive Tongues that also included Queen Latifah, Seaman’s Furniture. lages created from their efforts.
De La Soul, Leaders of the New School and The As Abdurraqib notes, the group, “had con- Drawing on the feel of ’70s-era Miles Davis,
Jungle Brothers. quered the idea of jazz bleeding into rap.” But by the sonic reference should nudge the door open
Its 1990 debut, People’s Instinctive Travels the time it released subsequent albums, Beats,
for some listeners, helping them to take a leap of
And The Paths Of Rhythm, is understood by the Rhymes And Life (1996) and The Love Move-
author as “Q-Tip’s introduction to the world at ment (1998), tensions between Q-Tip and Phife,
faith into this sonic maelstrom.
large,” his conscience and quirky lyrics, as well exacerbated by the latter’s battle with diabetes, Madness Of Crowds utterly delights in the
as the eclectic sonic walls of sound, establish- caused the group to disband. piercing atonal sounds that dominate the open-
ing the group’s funky modus operandi. Apart Go Ahead in the Rain’s most poignant pas- ing half of “Witch Mania,” as Jim Baker’s synth
from the Lou Reed-sampling “Can I Kick It?,” sages, though, are Abdurraqib’s “letters” to squeals and smears tones, and a heavily pro-
which prominently features Phife, the album members of the group and their family mem- cessed guitar covers over an otherwise head-bob-
counts Tip’s nasal, Negroidal-nuanced flow on bers. Of special note is the author penning a let- bing groove. It’s only when Lepine’s tenor solo
the mellow-toned “Bonita Applebum” and the ter to Phife’s mother, Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, where cuts through the mix that things settle and the
comic, Sanford & Son-inspired “I Left My Wallet he beautifully acknowledges how her poetry in- textures of the music take on more clarity. The
In El Segundo.” Splicing together sonic snippets fluenced her son. “In your son’s lyrics, I hear the
title track, by contrast, begins as an elongated riff
from the r&b and jazz worlds, the group’s debut rhythmic bounce between patois in his flows,”
featured samples of Donald Byrd’s “Think Twice” Abdurraqib writes. “The dance between punch
on the opening moments of “A Love Supreme”
and Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke,” as it animated line, politics and boast.” before snapping into an elastic groove that gath-
Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and Grover Wash- Thankfully, the group came together for a ers intensity as it tumbles forward.
ington Jr.’s “Loran’s Dance” put the boom-bap in final project, We Got It From Here ... Thank You Each spin of Tulips reveals new details and
the infectious “Push It Along.” 4 Your Service, before Phife died on March 22, tonal properties, and will bring out further res-
What follows is Abdurraqib’s commentary 2016. A wide-ranging, sonically playful opus, onances of the unbridled joy that was coursing
on how ATCQ reached its zenith with a pair the album featured guest spots from innu- through the studio when the ensemble joined
of follow-ups: The Low-End Theory (1991) fea- merable artists ATCQ inspired over the years, forces for single glorious afternoon. But Tulips
tured contributions by legendary bassist Ron ranging from Andre 3000 and Kanye West to also reminds listeners that more musicians
Carter alongside the original, head-bobbing Consequence and Anderson .Paak. All told,
should dare to challenge themselves like this.
“Jazz (We’ve Got),” the Average White Band Abdurraqib writes about ATCQ with the solid
hornline-laced “Check The Rhime” and the research of a reporter and the passion of a poet,
—Robert Ham
anthemic “Scenario,” which features an early-ca- making Go Ahead in the Rain an excellent prim-
reer Busta Rhymes. er on an indisputably important and transfor- Tulips: Economic Bubbles; Witch Mania; Alchemist; Tulips. (50:42)
Personnel: Joe Adamik, drums, electronics; Jim Baker, ARP
Rhymes’ frenetic flow returns on the torrid mational group. DB synthesizer, piano, Fender Rhodes; Nate Lepine, tenor, soprano sax-
“Oh My God” from 1993’s Midnight Marauders, Ordering info: utpress.utexas.edu ophones, flute; Matt Lux, electric bass, electronics; Brian Sandstrom,
acoustic bass, guitar, trumpet.
Ordering info: hippomachine.net

62 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 on that number is touched by early Billie Holiday,
an association accentuated by the Lester Young-
flavored playing of tenor saxophonist Terry
Myers (the current leader of the Tommy Dorsey
Orchestra). “You Don’t Call Me” is a love song
about frustration, while “Mighty Tender Love” is
much happier and taken as a swinger with spirited
tenor and guitar solos. “Dig That Riff” (heard in
two versions, including a frivolous, if fun, remix)
offers singing in unison with the tenor and guitar,
but mostly is an instrumental number. The fan-
ciful “Remember Jeannie,” the warm ballad “A
Gift From Buddy,” and the rollicking blues-based
“We’re Goin’ In” also are enjoyable.
Of the standards, “Pennies From Heaven” is
recast as a jazz waltz, “Poinciana” retains the
Simone Kopmajer essence and rhythm of Ahmad Jamal’s version,
and “Exactly Like You” finds Kopmajer scatting
Spotlight On Jazz a fine horn-like chorus. The Louis Armstrong-
LUCKY MOJO 28941
associated “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” infre-
+++½ quently is accompanied by vocals, but this rendi-
Simone Kopmajer, a swing singer from Austria tion might lead some to reassess the song. “Mood
who has a quiet voice and a subtle delivery, is at this Indigo” and a relaxed “Stompin’ At The Savoy”
point much better known in Europe than in the wrap up this satisfying set. —Scott Yanow
United States. Spotlight On Jazz is her 13th album
as a leader since 2003, and it features her sing- Spotlight On Jazz: Spotlights; Pennies From Heaven; You Don’t
Call Me; Mighty Tender Love; Poinciana; Dig That Riff; Remember
ing in flawless English on six standards, five of her Jeannie; Struttin’ With Some Barbecue; Exactly Like You; A Gift
From Buddy; Stompin’ At The Savoy; We’re Goin’ In; Mood Indigo;
originals and two songs by pianist Paul Urbanek. Dig That Riff (Remix). (64:21)
As with most of the originals, the opening Personnel: Simone Kopmajer, vocals; Terry Myers, tenor saxo-
phone, clarinet; Paul Urbanek, piano; Martin Spitzer, guitar; Karl
“Spotlights” sounds like it could have been writ- Sayer, bass; Reinhardt Winkler, drums.
ten in the late 1930s or ’40s. Kopmajer’s singing Ordering info: simonekopmajer.com

Yonathan Avishai
Joys And Solitudes
ECM 2611
+++½
Pianist Yonathan Avishai is one of the more gift-
ed musicians to have emerged recently from the
French jazz scene. Born in Tel Aviv, the pianist
moved to the Dordogne region in 2000 and has
been based in Paris for the past few years. During
that time, he’s released two promising albums as
a leader, Modern Times (2015) and The Parade
(2016), both featuring his core trio, bassist Yoni
Zelnik and drummer Donald Kontomanou,
who also play on Avishai’s ECM debut, Joys And
Solitudes. The album, which counts seven origi-
nals from the bandleader, is spare and contem- intervallic leaps that recall Thelonious Monk.
plative: His best yet—and his most personal. His solos, spacious and unhurried, are lovely,
Joys And Solitudes has more in common sounding as if he’s in no rush to prove himself.
with Modern Times than The Parade, a busier The pianist regularly has played as a side-
affair, with Inor Sotolongo on percussion and man with bassist Omer Avital and trumpeter
César Poirier on clarinet and alto saxophone. Avishai Cohen, and his work with those musi-
On Modern Times, Avishai’s minimalistic, cians has been top notch. But this record con-
blues-inflected sound is on full display, and he firms that Avishai has a promising solo career
is sensitively complemented by his bandmates, ahead of him as well. —Matthew Kassel
who play simply without being simplistic. The
Joys And Solitudes: Mood Indigo; Song For Anny; Tango; Joy;
same applies to Avishai’s latest, though his style Shir Boker; Lya; When Things Fall Apart; Les Pianos De Brazzaville.
only has become more appealing in the past (54:06)
Personnel: Yonathan Avishai, piano; Yoni Zelnik, bass; Donald
four years. Avishai begins several of his compo- Kontomanou, drums.
sitions unaccompanied, with lush chords and Ordering info: ecmrecords.com

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 63

MUSICIANS’ GEAR GUIDE

1.

Reporting by Tyra Bosnic, Dave Cantor, Ed

Enright, Kasia Fejklowicz and Bobby Reed 2.

Artist sightings are a thrilling aspect of The NAMM Show,

the global music industry’s annual showcase for new
instruments and gear. This year’s edition, held Jan. 24–27
on the campus of the Anaheim Convention Center in
Southern California, welcomed a cast of visiting musicians
who browsed the exhibit areas, gave product demonstra-
tions and took part in the convention’s after-hours con-
certs, all-star jams and awards ceremonies. In the fol-
lowing pages, DownBeat presents the best of The 2019
NAMM Show.

3.
1. Bob Weir (left), Jay Lane and Don Was play a set in the D’Angelico exhibit area.
2. Peter Frampton, recipient of the 2019 Les Paul Innovation Award, performs at
the TEC Awards. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM) 3. Kirk Whalum
(left), Karl Latham, Tom Scott and Don Braden take part in a JazzJam sponsored by
JodyJazz, Légère Reeds and Rovner Products. 4. Elle King performs on the Grand
Plaza Stage during the “Imagine Party” presented by The NAMM Foundation and The
John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)
5. 2PDU +DNLP OHIW DQG 5DFKHO = ZDON WKH VKRZ ŶRRU WRJHWKHU 6. Singer and
guitarist Danny Kortchmar performs after receiving a Boss Lifetime Achievement
Award at the Boss/Roland booth. 7. Lakecia Benjamin takes a solo during the
JazzJam. 8. Alan Parsons speaks during a TEC Tracks educational session. (Photo
by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM) 9. Richard Bona appears at the Markbass
booth. 10. Allan Harris performs at the D’Angelico exhibit. 11. Hailey Niswanger
pays a visit to the DownBeat booth. 12. Jerry Vivino (left), Grace Kelly and Mark Gross
wail at the VandoJam sponsored by Vandoren. 13. Grégoire Maret (left) and Carlitos
Del Puerto entertain attendees of a Zoom international sales meeting. 14. DJ Pierre,
of the group Phuture, accepts a Lifetime Achievement Award from Roland. 15. Bobby
Shew appears at the Yamaha exhibit to promote the company’s second generation of
the Custom Z trumpet. 16. Victor Wooten talks shop at the DR Strings booth. 4.

64 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 6.

5.

7.

9.
8.

10.

12.
11.
13.

14. 15. 16.

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 65

HORNS

NY MEYER IS BACK
In commemoration of JJ Babbitt’s 100th
anniversary, the company has introduced the
RAPTOR RISING NY (New York) Meyer mouthpiece for alto
Bari Woodwinds’ Raptor mouthpiece saxophone, a favorite among jazz players that’s
offers ease of play and the ability back by popular demand. This free-blowing
to hit all registers, high and low. mouthpiece offers the utmost in control and
The mouthpiece was designed by playability, offering even response, consistency
owner Gary Spears after listening and excellent intonation at all volume levels.
More info: jjbabbitt.com
to players’ requests over the
past three years. The mouthpiece
provides projection with minimal
exertion and tonal qualities, both
loud and soft. The Raptor currently
is available in alto and tenor
models.
More info: bariwoodwind.com

FRENCH TAPER
The System 76 2nd Edition series is the classic line of professional
saxophones by P. Mauriat. Each soprano, alto and tenor saxophone is
based on the taper of a traditional French tube system that offers superior
resistance and a tight core to the base of the sound. Finishes available
within the set include gold lacquer, dark vintage lacquer and unlacquered.
DESIGNED FOR TONE More info: pmauriatmusic.com
Cannonball has introduced the Artist
Series B7 professional baritone saxophone.
The saxophone features an all-new
design that produces a rich and focused
tone, exemplary intonation, superb
ergonomics and full-ribbed PLAY LIK E PARKEluRme 2
Vo
construction. The Artist Series announced
has for
Hal Leonard
B7 is available in gold lacquer
of the ts to learn Bird’s
wan
and black nickel plate, adorned anyone who -note. A followup to
or
with Tier 2 premium engraving. solos note-f iginal Omnibook—
It includes a lightweight case the or r
Volume 1— exact transcriptions fo
with wheels. it feat ures
instru m en ts. The
More info: cannonballmusic.com all types of features
as w ell as his
rker’s songs,
50 m or e of Pa st dards.
an
takes on jazz onard.com
: halle
More info
WARM & STRONG
The Chedeville Elite Series B-flat clarinet mouthpiece is
the first launch in the company’s new range of clarinet
and saxophone mouthpieces. Its medium-length facing
curve produces a warm, yet strong, full tone with
playability that is unsurpassed. The Chedeville Elite B-flat
clarinet mouthpiece is available in a comprehensive
selection of tip openings: F0 (.100), F1 (.105), F2 (.110),
F3 (.115), F4 (.120) and F5 (.125).
More info: chedeville.com

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tuning s dpipe design cre ces a warm and re info: schilke
lea produ Mo
FAR RA Soloiste trumpet
The interch NGE
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l n
complex to in acoustical prefere B.A.C. Music’s Maver
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More info sonance from th des rich om stan of optio
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superb
66 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019
 PRO AUDIO

MIX ON THE GO
Samson has expanded its Expedition Series rechargeable portable PA line with three systems:
the Expedition XP208w, XP310w and XP312w. Each is equipped with a four-channel mixer
that includes XLR and quarter-inch inputs for connecting microphones and line-level devices.
The XP310w and XP312w also include a 1/8-inch input for connecting MP3 players and
mobile devices. The speaker also can stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth device. A
variable reverb control adds depth, and a voiceover ducker automatically lowers the music
when speaking or singing into a microphone (XLR or wireless inputs).
More info: samsontech.com

CLIP-ON SOLUTIONS
Offering a crisp, well-balanced response, Audio-Technica’s
ATM350a condenser instrument microphone provides
discreet, solid mounting solutions for a host of instruments,
HEAVY DUTY including woodwinds, strings, brass, percussion
D’Addario Accessories’ Professional Tour-Grade Power Base is designed for and piano. The ATM350a is capable of handling
the touring musician in constant transition between the stage and the road. 159dB maximum SPL, allowing the mic
The Power Base offers five standard-spaced outlets and three transformer- to cope with a wide range of extremely
spaced outlets. Unlike most power strips that easily tip over, the Power powerful, dynamic sound sources. Its cardioid
Base features a low, wide footprint in a sturdy metal housing that remains polar pattern reduces side and rear pickup and
anchored in place no matter how many devices are plugged in. The Power protects against feedback.
Base also features an integrated cable management system that lets users More info: audio-technica.com
wrap the cord around the base for convenience while traveling.
More info: daddario.com

inated
mmy-nom
oratio n with Gra king for a
of a colla
b loo
who are able
N A T U RE r monitor is the resualtns and audiophilesdant headroom availa 9mm
SI G -ea usici abu n lizing
SOUND’s N8 customizableNin8 is designed for mall frequencies withr a hybrid design untige and highs.
64 Audio athan East. The ers clarity across 4 Audio opted fo ers for the midra a silky treble.
bassist N ature that deliv ible spectrum. 6 d armature driv scious mids and
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RECORADmerica has unveiled a
h er
Zoom Nort 2n-4K, a handy cam
e Z oo m Q m u sicia n s.
th r
y audio fo ialized
CLEAR SOUND with qualit D capability, 12 spec ing
condenser 4K U H und re co rd
With
Blue’s Ember is a premium XLR ings and so
ls and scene sett /96kHz, the Q2n-4K
microphone designed for voca -b it re
d-tuned up to 24 to accurately captu eams.
instruments. Featuring a han d es ig n ed n d liv es tr
con den ser cap sule, Emb er delivers is
s, practices a
custom rm an ce tsid e in
a tigh t cardioid perfo to ou
detailed perform anc e with ly lit club
es room noise From a dim sun, the Q2n-4K lets ere
pickup pattern that minimiz ng h
llent the glari shot anyw
for an up-front sound with exce rs g et the perfect ng expert.
ck recording, u se ti
isolation. It’s idea l for mul titra eing a ligh
turin g aud io for You Tube without b zoom-na.com
as well as cap More info
:
aming.
video production and live-stre
More info: bluedesigns.com

STAGE-FRIENDLY CONTROLS
Bose Professional has made two additions to its ToneMatch
audio engine series: the eight-channel T8S ToneMatch mixer
and the four-channel T4S ToneMatch mixer, which offer
connectivity with intuitive control. Compact and portable,
the T8S and T4S are both gig-ready. Their rugged enclosures
have a magnetically coupled cover to protect controls and
connectors. A chassis-bottom insert allows for standard
mounting accessories to help keep the mixers within reach.
More info: pro.bose.com

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 67

DRUMS

HANDCRAFTED HARDWOOD
The six-piece Collector’s Series Pure Almond kit from
Drum Workshop features luminous finishes, ranging
from Toasted Almond to Natural Burst Lacquer Specialty,
and can be paired with a range of hardware options.
Handcrafted almond wood gathered from disused trees
lends the limited-quantity drums a vibrant sonic palette.
More info: dwdrums.com

PEDAL ACTION
The Dyna-Sync benefits from three interrelated design features unique
to the Tama direct-drive pedal: a distinctive drive design with efficient
angles, a sturdy link from the drive to the pedalboard and, perhaps
most importantly, a slidable cam. It’s that last feature that allows
percussionists to adjust the beater’s distance from the drumhead,
providing players with the ability to modify the pedal’s action. And all
you need is a drum key to do it. A twin pedal model also is available.
More info: tama.com

e Rattan
ditions to th
P su ccess? With ad RS40, RS40C, RS50
RAPPED U can am plify the
ALL W hat already works, when yous expanded its offerings werithpurple synthetic yarn or
ch ange w rcus sion ha ed in eith
W hy e Pe wra pp ms.
lets, Innovativ graduated rubber core d concert to
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and RS50C,
each fe e with m
suited for us
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innovati
More info:

ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE
The aFrame is the merger of two disparate
worlds, taking drumming to the outer
reaches. Based on a traditional frame FOR SHU
drum, this percussion instrument The Kelly SHU Pro (either flat black or silver high-grade
is outfitted with a digital brain aluminum) and Composite (fiberglass reinforced high-
capable of augmenting every density nylon resins) models offer a solution to miking
sound a player produces through drums with ease and grace. Making use of a drum’s
the drumhead, offering limitless internal hardware, the suspended system provides a
possibilities for expression. durable platform for miking and recording, and can be
More info: aframe.jp left in place during teardown and transportation.
More info: kellyshu.com

CYMBALS, DISTILLED
Sabian has refined its AAX cymbal
EASY MODIFICATION series. Debuting more than 25
Some gear just seems like it should years ago, the line has been
have been fully realized decades ago. pared down a bit, adhering to its
Remo and drummer Dave Weckl essential entries and qualities,
have introduced the even as the company has
Adjustable Bass Drum added Thin, Medium and Heavy
Dampener, which models to expand the diversity of
attaches to the drum’s tones, reaching higher highs and
rim, enabling players to touching on darker hues.
modify the feel and tone of their More info: sabian.com
instrument with ease. And due
to its design, the dampener won’t
interfere with tuning.
More info: remo.com

to an y
RQUE s four pins attach
TONS OF TO drum key. The Wingtastic tool’ ol is pretty easy to tote
sential as a foldable to
The
es
It’s just about as tup time shorter and painless. ly, using one for
nu t, mak ing se cket or belt. But more important
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ngtastictool.c
More info: wi

68 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 GUITARS & AMPS

LUSH TUBE TONES

Blackstar’s HT series of tube amplifiers
has added three models: the HT1R-MkII,
HT5R-MkII and HT20R-MkII. The 1-watt
HT1R-MkII combines boutique cosmetics
with impressive tube tone, resulting in
a great practice amp. The HT5R-MkII,
equipped with a 5-watt push-pull design
utilizing the 12BH7 tube, offers the
power of a 100-watt stack in a compact
package. The versatile HT20R-MkII
features a carefully voiced pre-amp
combined with a 20-watt EL84 power
amp to create lush tube tones.
More info: blackstaramps.com
XPRESTe SION r
O N I C E lecaste
NEW S ustasonic
Aco ustic d Aco
RTABLhEigh-quality bass American -designe
Fender’s er- and Fishman blend of
C T & COMFO able, 32- uses a Fe n d
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COMPA an ord fits of a compact
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SRMD20 rt and be
Ibanez’s offers the comfo rs of all experience fret spacing, a tu
classic an ize the guitar’s na er a curated
at ye ter
guitar th Designed for pla r reach and tigh k jumps across m v
that opti resonance to deli nd electric
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modify th f voices. Acoustic te new sounds.
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fo
WIRELESS RELAY More in
The Relay G10S from Line 6 is
a wireless system designed to
be mounted on a pedalboard.
It offers up to 130 feet of range
and delivers 24-bit sound quality free
from dropouts and interference. YAMAHA PARLOR HYBRID
More info: line6.com Yamaha’s CSF-TA adds the company’s TransAcoustic
technology to its premium-sounding CSF line of
parlor guitars. It incorporates an actuator (or
small switch) installed on the inner surface of
the guitar back. When the CSF-TA’s strings are
played, they cause the actuator to vibrate,
TUNE TONE, NEXT-GEN DIVERSITY which then is conveyed to the guitar body,
The 40-watt Nextone-Stage and 80-watt Nextone-Artist and the air in and around the instrument.
combo guitar amps from Boss were designed with This movement creates authentic reverb
the advanced Tube Logic approach. Combining classic and chorus effects from inside the
tube sound with next-generation tonal diversity, each body without needing any external
Nextone amp offers multiple channels and instant amplification or effects.
revoicing via four Class AB analog power amp types More info: usa.yamaha.com
selectable from the panel. They also include built-in
effects and personal sound customization using the
Nextone Editor software.
More info: boss.info

TRINGS orous
IO N -R ESISTANTgsSare engineered to stand up to rig ,
CO R R O S
Acoustic strin t tensile-strength core wire
tic
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Martin Guitar’s ent performance. Martin us sion resistance. The line inclu Authentic
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ar
More info: m

GET SMART
The Tramontane HyVibe series of acoustic smart guitars from Lâg feature
technology that turns each guitar into a mobile amplifier, speaker, effects
processor, looper and recorder. The guitars can operate without external
equipment or wiring. The HyVibe system effectively transforms the top of the
guitar into a speaker membrane. It comes with a programmable seven-band
EQ and a built-in digital chromatic tuner. Three models are available: the
THV10DCE, THV20DCE and THV30DCE.
More info: kmcmusic.com
APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 69
 PIANOS & KEYBOARDS

CONCERT HALL SOUND

Roland’s LX700 series pianos (the LX708,
LX706 and LX705) feature PureAcoustic
Modeling technology that emulates the
way that acoustic pianos produce sound,
including the hammers striking
strings and the sound resonating
through the piano’s body.
Roland’s PureAcoustic Ambience
technology then recreates the
sound space by emulating the
acoustic properties of concert
halls, studios and cathedrals. GREAT FOR GIGS
More info: roland.com Yamaha’s CP73 and CP88 digital stage pianos have three main
sections that can be split or combined: Piano (featuring voices
sampled from concert grand pianos, including the Yamaha CFX),
Electric Piano (offering variants on 1970s sounds, such as the
Wurlitzer and Clavinet) and Sub (providing strings, pads, organs,
chromatic percussion and other voices suitable for layering).
More info: usa.yamaha.com
VIBRANT VIVO
Dexibell’s Vivo S9 digital stage piano offers the acoustic and electric pianos
available in the Vivo S series, as well as organ sound engines—including
the complete transistor, tonewheel and traditional organ and
instrumental sounds—from the Combo J7 and Classico L3
digital organs. The 88-key S9 features a hammer-
action keyboard, hands-free assignable
motorized draw-faders, real wood D I
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BRASS SCHOOL

Dave Douglas (Photo by John Abbott)

DARREN BARRETT STEVE DAVIS KIRK KNUFFKE TOOLSHED

Master Class Pro Session Transcription Page 84
Page 78 Page 80 Page 82 APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 73
“Sounds like you took the music outside the box. Now you’ve got to throw
the box away altogether.” Advice from a hero. It was Wayne Shorter. He
had just heard my band play.

T
he advice is so mysterious to me, and it has so much
to do with the way I write and think about music
making. He hit me where I live. I had read that sim-
ilarly, Schopenhauer said, “The fundament upon which all
our knowledge and learning rests is inexplicable.” Accepting
the unknowable is a part of the writing process. The more
you learn, the more you know you need to learn.
For that reason, the invitation to talk about how I write,
and to offer some “practical tips” is daunting. Anyone who has
spent countless hours slaving over an empty manuscript book
will tell you how mysterious the process is. I count myself among
that number.
So, how do I write? Sometimes it’s helpful to start with, Why do I
write? That’s a bit easier to answer. At the root of it, I always write
so my friends and I will have something fun to play. When musicians
find the value in a certain idea, my thinking goes, others will hear it
and share it, too. That’s why I write: to share my love and joy in music. As
Stevie Wonder said to Tom Jones about composing, “Every day you have get
up and find a new way to say, ‘I love you.’” Good enough motivation.

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APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 75
 JOHN ABBOTT
Dave Douglas is a prolific trumpeter, composer, educator and entrepreneur
from New York City who’s known for the stylistic breadth of his work.

Most of us share our joy through music This is beginning to sound vague and airy. canvas. A wily sense of humor and an indepen-
because we love it, and we love what we got For me, staying open to all of those possibili- dence that kept him from ever being boxed into
from the giants. At the same time, the lega- ties frees me to get at the specifics, the nuts- one particular “movement.” The paintings spoke
cy, the tradition, can be hard to deal with. You and-bolts of the music. It allows me to write in to me, and as I wrote, musical ideas that began
want to consider it all, and that’s overwhelm- different ways depending on the project or situ- as intuitive feelings about the body of work
ing. The ocean of music and sound is infinite. ation, and consider as many elements and pos- coalesced into discrete compositions dedicated
Around which sounds do we decide to place the sibilities as I can imagine, in as concrete a way to particular paintings. Engaging with specific
frame and point our attention? as I can. Let’s consider a few examples. inspirations keeps me engaged in creating new
The richness of this golden era of Booker For the 2000 album Soul On Soul, written sound worlds, seeing and hearing in a fresh way.
Little, Cecil Taylor, Hemphill, Wheeler, for my sextet, I took a deep dive into tran- Not boxing myself into assumptions or
Braxton. Threadgill, Wadada Leo Smith, scriptions of pianist and composer Mary Lou expectation allows me to get more specific
Muhal, Rudd, Myers, Stanko, Bailey, Parker, Williams—for my own love of the music—but about melody, harmony, rhythm, form and all
Mengelberg, Bennink, Frith. Carla Bley. Both also so I could explain (to myself), as specifi- the basic elements hand.
Evanses. Philosopher-musicians. Creative cally as possible, what the elements are in that This past couple of years I have joined many
titans. And songwriters, representing all sorts music (and in her life) that I find so spellbind- in this country who feel the imperative that
of music from near and far, young and old, ing, and why I think they are still important each of us pitch in to effect positive change.
men, women, people. As many ways of practic- and compelling in our own age. That process This year I wrote a new suite for the Greenleaf
ing the musical life as there are humans. meant that, when I finally sat down to write, I Music Subscription Series called ENGAGE. It is
Staying open to all of that guides my writ- had a focal point of very specific language ideas devoted to positive action and support for orga-
ing. Trying to maintain awareness of all the I could go to. That became the frame within the nizations engaged in the issues. Because of this,
possibilities so that I can be as free as possible. infinite ocean of possible sounds. It helped me I decided that all the pieces had to be based on
Percussionist Kate Gentile said it to me this way get started and guided me to the finish line. triads, mostly major triads. I had never done
the other day: “improvised music without lim- For the 2017 album Little Giant Still Life, that before. The music certainly has a distinc-
itations.” I want to be able to follow my imagi- recorded with the brass group The Westerlies tive sound. And, I hope, a determined one. The
nation wherever it goes, and that means free of and drummer Anwar Marshall, I grew attached first few pieces have now been released.
expectations and assumptions about what it is to the works of American painter Stuart Davis. Though I have a reputation for “bringing in
supposed to be, or sound like. Bold, flashy colors and shapes. Collisions on the sounds from outside jazz,” I have never thought of

76 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

it that way. I have learned to write by being open to my musical imagination, From Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style: “Revising is part of
challenging it to go further than what I have done before. When one ques- writing. Few writers are so expert that they can produce what they are
tions assumptions, one is bound to come up with new and different solutions. after on the first try.”
To break free and challenge myself to find myself. Here are some things that I have found really helpful to consider:
• No Limitations
• No Repetitions
• Simplicity and Clarity
purpo
ose of stu
udy
yin
ng • Community and Improvisation, the voice of the players
• History and Tradition
• No Beginning, No Ending
Bud
ddh
hism
m is not to
o stu
udy • Program: What is it about, if anything?
Very often the first question I get is, What if my piece just sounds like
Bud
ddh
hism
m, bu
ut to
o stud
dy someone else?
About the question of imitation, Strunk and White say: “Never imi-
our
rsellves.”
” —Shu
unrr yu Su
uzu
uki tate consciously, but do not worry about being an imitator; take pains
instead to admire what is good. Then when you write in a way that comes
naturally, you will echo the halloos that bear repeating.”
Wayne Shorter has graciously shared his wisdom with many people,
I often go to the public library to write. It’s quiet. There are lots of and we are grateful. Around 2013, I heard him play with his great quar-
books. And it’s the place where I can confront silence honestly, and con- tet and had a question. I asked him why he was playing “Water Babies”
sider how I want the music to break it. Consideration of all the elements in a new key, different from the recording of the ’60s. He said, “Oh, that?
of music (that I can think of, and there are always more) has become an That’s not finished.” I nodded, willing to accept that, even though the
essential part of my work. Staying open to possibilities of doing things a piece has long been a sacred text for people learning jazz and creative
different way. Of telling a story. Of creating an interaction. music, he considers it unfinished.
I try to write as simply as I can. It helps me consider everything with- He then looked at me piercingly and added, “It also never started.”
out including everything. Always start with the limitation of one page. Wislawa Szymborska, the Polish poet, wrote something that seemed
Music needn’t describe the times, but it must be of the times. appropriate to this:
These are ideas that help me get started. I once heard Bob Brookmeyer Nothing can ever happen twice.
say not to cram a bunch of stuff around your one good idea. (What he In consequence, the sorry fact is
said was actually quite a bit harsher and saltier than that.) He said you That we arrive here improvised
don’t get too many good ideas in a day, so don’t hide them. Poke away to And leave without the chance to practice. DB
get at what that good idea is, and then figure out how to serve it up. That’s
what these practices are about.
You can always add more complicated ideas later. First, find one clear
notion and get it down. Allow it to live and breath. Revise it, think about
it, carry around in your head and your heart, let it develop, before add-
ing layers of complication. They can and will come. Remember that your
players will be only too happy to have that space to roam and compli-
cate matters. You want to create a platform for them to be able to do that.
As the poet Stanley Kunitz described it, “I dream of an art so trans-
parent that you can look through and see the world.”
I have put together some parts of my process for those who are inter-
ested, along with a sort of assignment, a way of trying to instigate the
openness of mind to work.
Imagine your assignment to be:
• Sit down in a quiet place with no distractions, without an instrument.
• Bring one blank sheet of manuscript paper and a pencil.
• Think about what your music might sound like.
• Develop an idea of why you are writing and what you are writing
about. Pick a theme, and get a sense of how long the whole finished thing
would be so you can work to a suitable structure.
• Imagine who would be playing it (what instruments, what commu-
nity of players).
• Imagine different ways the music could be organized.
• Write one small idea. Notate it however you think suits the idea best.
• Move on. Write another.
• Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
• Don’t hang on to any judgments about what you’ve written.
• Gather your ideas. See which ones appeal to you.
• Ask yourself which ones go together, if any.
• Refine. Cut out the unnecessary. Make it playable.
• Give yourself deadlines. (This is really important.)
• Revise. Rehearse. Revise. Rehearse some more.

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 BRASS SCHOOL Woodshed
Woodshed MASTER CLASS
BY XXXXXXX
MASTER CLASS
BY DARREN BARRETT

the lungs is imperative. Once that is achieved,

JUDY BARRETT

we have to get the air out with flow. Remember

that there are two parts to the breath: Part one
is bringing the air in (inhalation), and part two
is moving the air out (exhalation). Inhaling
must be done in a passive, slow manner, and
exhaling the air is done in an active, fast man-
ner. Relaxation is key for optimal results.
There must be no hesitation in this entire pro-
cess; it all should happen as one motion.
I play this exercise three times using a
breath attack on the downbeat of each two-bar
phrase while going down the seven positions.
When you release the tongue, you no longer
can rely on it to make the note. If the airflow
is correct, then the note clearly can be exe-
cuted using a breath attack. All such exercis-
es should be done with a metronome, because
we breathe and play in the time of music. I play
the exercise two times at mezzo forte, then rest
for 5 minutes, then play it a third time. The
Darren Barrett metronome should be set to 70 BPM.

The Importance of Warming Step 4

The following exercises are under the cate-

Up & Warming Down

gory of “airflow.” When the airflow is cor-
rect, slurring and tonguing are achieved more

P
easily. Figure 3 is from Arban’s Complete
laying the trumpet is a physical phe- would sometimes play it while he was driving Conservatory Method for Trumpet (page 13,
nomenon. It takes a lot of power, relax- around running errands. He felt that it helped exercise 10). Even though the notes are chang-
ation and control. That’s why it’s imper- to bring his embouchure to a supple state. ing, it should be seen as one continuous long
ative that trumpeters develop a routine to Years ago, I was able to take a week’s worth tone, flowing from note to note. Try to keep
warm up the embouchure to a state of read- of lessons from Bill Adam, the well-known everything even, full and in tune. If you can-
iness. It’s also important to warm down the trumpet instructor at Indiana University not play the entire exercise in one breath,
embouchure after work is done. whose students have included Jerry Hey, pause on the note D in the fifth measure, then
I get a lot of questions from students in Randy Brecker and Chris Botti, among oth- take a full breath and complete the exercise.
regard to my warm-up and warm-down rou- ers. Adam was a big advocate of playing the The tempo should be set to 70 BPM.
tine. I’d like to explore these two important leadpipe as part of his warm-up method. He Figure 4 is an exercise from Arban’s (page
aspects of brass playing and share some useful said it was a way to get the air moving, which 14, exercise 18) that helps the player create a
information I’ve received from my teachers, is imperative. He had me play a six-bar phrase feeling of flow within scale movement. Pause
William Vacchiano, Donald Byrd, William that consisted of playing concert E flat for one on beat 4 of the eighth and 16th measures
Fielder and Bill Adam. bar, then rest for one bar. I would repeat this to rebreathe and continue. Keep everything
three times, concentrating on achieving a even, full and in tune. Relaxation is key. The
Step 1 nice, full, resonant tone on the leadpipe. (See tempo should be set to 80 BPM.
The most important component of playing Figure 1.) Airflow is everything. Professor Fielder introduced me to flow
trumpet is controlling the air stream. I begin studies written by Vincent Cichowicz of the
my warm-up by whistling through the lips; Step 3 Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Cichowicz
Dr. Byrd taught me the importance of this, For most of the remainder of my warm-up, flow studies help me to warm up the embou-
explaining that whistling gets the air mov- I take exercises from the teachings of William chure through the different registers of the
ing and also connects the brain with pitch and Fielder, a former professor at Rutgers instrument. For my warm-up, I practice the
melody. I whistle to the full range of my ability University, to get my embouchure into a state flow studies exercises (in the key of C) at 90
for about one minute. Next, I play a few notes of readiness. When I took private lessons with BPM found on page 2 (V.C.1) of the book
on the mouthpiece, not too low, not too high. I Fielder, we worked on Max Schlossberg’s Daily Trumpet Flow Studies by Cichowicz.
do this for about one minute. Drills and Technical Studies for Trumpet (page
1, exercise 1) for three months. Everything was Step 5
Step 2 about maintaining an even and strong airflow. By now, my embouchure is feeling good,
After the mouthpiece, I then would go to This is the first exercise I play on the trumpet and I’ll continue with flexibility exercises.
playing the leadpipe. Dr. Byrd carried a Bach after I play the leadpipe. (See Figure 2.) Flow is crucial to your flexibility on the trum-
trumpet leadpipe in his trumpet case. He Getting the maximum amount of air into pet. The four flexibility exercises I like to do in

78 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

my warm-up are as follows: mouth. And in the upper register, the tongue Vassily Brandt, W.M. Smith or E.F. Goldman.
• Figure 5, from Charles Colin Trumpet will gravitate toward the roof of the mouth to
Advanced Lip Flexibilities (page 9, example 1). produce the note. This same tongue movement Warm-Down
• Figure 6, from Charles Colin (page 11, applies to rapid flexibility on trumpet. My warm-down is just playing long tones. I
example 6). play them quietly as a way to bring everything
• Figure 7, from Arban’s (page 44, example 22). Step 6 down and relax the embouchure. I play Figure
• Figure 8, from Arban’s (page 79, example 8). The next step is to warm up the tonguing 10 one time and then rest for one minute. Then
Over years of study, I’ve been taught many aspect of brass playing. Figure 9 shows an exer- I play Figure 11 and then rest for one minute.
different approaches to gaining optimal flexi- cise found in the Saint-Jacome Grand Method Finally, I would play Figure 11 one more time,
bility on the trumpet. What I ended up grav- for Trumpet or Cornet (page 19, exercise 26). and my warm-down is complete.
itating toward is thinking about whistling, as William Vacchiano enforced this exercise. Remember that brass players are like ath-
Dr. Byrd taught me. If you whistle in the lower letes. Warming up and warming down will help
register, the tongue will naturally move to the Step 7 to keep us in good condition and top form. DB
bottom of the mouth. In the middle register, the Once steps 1 though 6 are completed, I would
tongue will gravitate toward the center of the play an étude from books by Theo Charlier, Visit Darren Barrett online at darrenbarrett.com.

MUSIC SCORE TRANSCRIPTION BY NANQIAO LIU

Figure 1 Figure 7

Figure 2

Figure 8

Figure 3

Figure 9

Figure 4

Figure 10

Figure 5

Figure 11

Figure 6

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 79

 BRASS SCHOOL Woodshed
Woodshed MASTER CLASS
BY XXXXXXX
PRO SESSION
BY STEVE DAVIS

and inspired to say. Being creative and expres-

JIMMY KATZ

sive are attributes often encouraged in young-

er, developing musicians. Of course, it is very
important to discover these qualities within
ourselves, tap into them and bring them out
through our playing. Also, if we try to be as
considerate, thoughtful, cooperative, gener-
ous, patient, flexible, studious and thorough—
as well as being as creative and expressive as
possible—this will all come out in the music
we play.
2) Are you walking, talking music 24/7—
without the horn in your hands? Can you
sing what you are about to play on the trom-
bone? Can you tap or clap the rhythmic qual-
ities of the tune or line you want to play? Can
you hum the bass line? Do you understand the
various chord qualities in the song? Can you
sing the chord tones up and down: thirds, sev-
enths, ninths, 11ths, etc.? If the song has lyrics,
do you know them?
3) How do I translate all of the above and
deliver it through the trombone? Have I
warmed up, done my long-tones (soft and
loud) and lip slurs today? Have I practiced
my various chord qualities (major sevenths,
dominant sevenths, minor sevenths, ninths,
11ths, 13ths)? Have I practiced the scales relat-
ed to these chords? Remember, chord=scale/
scale=chord. They are one and the same: a
grouping of notes to be creative with any way
you want, not only in scalar fashion. How well
do I play these chord/scale relationships (in
various rhythmic contexts and at various tem-
pos) on the trombone?
There is always more to consider when it
comes to the “known” aspects of performing
Steve Davis music in an improvised manner. The big ques-

Playing in the Moment,

tion is, how much real listening to the mas-
ters of this music have you done? My mentor,
McLean, used to call it “the language.” How

Facing the Unexpected

versed in “the language” are you? The more lis-
tening to the masters (Louis Armstrong, Duke
Ellington, Coleman Hawkins, Bix Beiderbecke,

I
Lester Young, Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk,
n music, as in life, thinking ahead is cer- form, rhythm, melody, bass notes and chord Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell,
tainly beneficial. But, as my old man often changes, and being able to address and express Miles Davis, J.J. Johnson, Sonny Stitt, Ella
told me, “Life is what happens while you’re these musical components through your Fitzgerald, Max Roach, Dexter Gordon, Stan
making plans ... and how you respond to it.” instrument—in my case, the slide trombone. Getz, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, and so on)
This concept absolutely is relevant, if not Whenever the opportunity arises for me to and the more musical “language” and reper-
inherent, to what we do as jazz improvisers. I address a roomful of (jazz) trombone players, I toire you have studied, practiced and digest-
like to think of it as “being available or present like to begin with discussing three basic, foun- ed, the better equipped you will be to play and
in the moment.” dational tenets: improvise with other musicians.
How do we achieve this, musically? There 1) What kind of person you are will have It all comes down to loving the music you
are many factors to consider. I suppose, in far more to do with how you sound than any- want to play. If you love the music, it won’t
order to address the “unpredictable,” one must thing else. Jackie McLean once said, “You’re be a chore to do some focused, careful listen-
first define the “predictable.” This involves a person first, then a saxophonist/trombon- ing. For instance, if you’re genuinely interest-
having a deep understanding and technical ist, etc.” Of course, nobody is perfect. We are ed in the Great American Songbook, you’ll
grasp of such basic musical parameters as song all flawed. Yet, we all have something genuine want to explore the vast catalogs of Ella

80 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, Paul Motian. I also used to listen to quartet fourth position), then high A in third position,
Billie Holiday, Nat “King” Cole, Frank Sinatra, recordings with vibraphonists Milt Jackson ascending and descending. It will take a little
Billy Eckstine and Tony Bennett. There are so and Bobby Hutcherson, or guitarists Wes time to embrace using the alternate positions.
many good songs to learn, play and reinter- Montgomery and Grant Green. Try to match timbre and play the notes in tune.
pret from all genres of music. Maybe you love It is advantageous to create space in your In closing, I learned a valuable lesson with
Stevie Wonder’s music and want to adapt some solos. This not only frames your ideas, giv- regard to dealing with the unexpected and the
of his great compositions into a more jazz-like, ing shape to each statement, but it also importance of group communication during
improvised format. Or a more recent, popular enables you and the rhythm section play- my first years playing with Chick Corea’s group
artist’s music intrigues you. Perhaps a tradi- ers to converse musically. We’re not talking Origin. I’d be listening to the band during the
tional folk song beckons. Or you might wish to about leaving space just for the sake of it. previous solo, thinking about what I wanted to
adapt a piece from the Western classical canon Rather, if your intention is to allow oppor- play when it was my turn. Then, as I stepped to
to improvise on. All of it already has been done tunities for back-and-forth dialogue, the the mic to take my solo, Corea and the rhythm
by improvising jazz musicians, so the trails music in total has a chance to become very section would turn on a dime, breaking into
have been blazed for you to traverse, musically special. If you’re playing with new musicians a completely different groove. What I’d pre-
speaking, in your own way. You are free to play for the first time, how can you possibly get to viously had in mind wasn’t going to work any
whatever material you’d like to play. know their style, if you’re busy filling up all longer—what do I do? Just listen, react, play
Perhaps you are a composer and want to the spaces in the music? It’s more important something simple that fits with what’s hap-
play your own original compositions. Or, you to be a good listener in a conversation than pening and go from there. The results were
want to play originals composed by some of it is to do all the talking. always gratifying. Corea reminded us to real-
your peers. The same principles apply as with No matter what the situation, it is always ly stay connected musically with one another
any music you want to play. Do you know the important to play with a strong sense of rhythm, on the bandstand at all time. Never to go on
song? Have you internalized it? Can you play it to swing hard and deep in the groove. As I’ve “autopilot.” He talked about the multiple lines
from memory? heard master trombonist Steve Turre often say, of communication happening between each
Now, let’s talk about reacting to the “You’ve got to articulate” on the trombone to band member.
“unpredictable,” dealing with the “unexpect- accomplish this. I try to single-tongue as many My latest album, Correlations (Smoke
ed”—or, as I like to say, “being present in the notes as possible when I play. I developed this Sessions), is in direct reference to the same
moment.” To me, this really means playing approach from listening to J.J. Johnson, who ideas, concepts and spirit of everything
whatever the music requires at that moment. did this as well as it can be done. discussed here. Origin was a sextet. The
I try to think of it as having a distilled, clear Another profound influence on my play- Correlations band is also a sextet, consist-
musical voice on the trombone, my chosen ing is my friend and mentor Curtis Fuller. ing of extremely accomplished, creative and
instrument. He not only articulates his ideas on the horn dynamic musical personalities. We all have
To all trombonists: I strongly suggest very clearly (nobody swings as hard or plays long histories as friends and musical col-
being a fan of the rhythm section. Listen to up-tempos like him), but he also plays with leagues, on and off the bandstand. My goal
the bass, drums, piano, guitar or vibes. Try such soulful melodicism. Slide Hampton’s as a bandleader is to encourage these rela-
to understand their musical vocabulary and playing and writing has been a tremendous tionships—these correlations, if you will—to
learn to speak their rhythmic/harmonic lan- influence on me as well. There are many other thrive within the band. We trust one anoth-
guage. This will inform your playing in a deep- great trombonists I deeply admire. What they er. We enjoy playing and hanging togeth-
er way than merely transcribing trombone or all have in common is each plays with a dis- er. This is why we can thrive musically in the
horn players’ licks and regurgitating them tinctive, personal sound and a lyrical quality. moment, in the realms of the expected and
over of a rhythm section. Johnson, Fuller and Hampton all seemed unexpected. This results in exciting, expres-
In my earlier days, I used to listen to my to play language not necessarily associated sive and creative music with a feeling of unity
favorite piano trio records and try to pic- with the trombone, but more often with the and joy. This is what makes the music spe-
ture my trombone sound blending into what saxophone, trumpet or piano. This is what I’ve cial for me, for us and hopefully for audienc-
was already happening. Could I fit in with also tried to cultivate in my own playing over es and listeners around the world. DB
this great-sounding music and not mess it the years. I love the trombone and its natural
up? Could I add something beautiful to it? idiosyncrasies, but don’t want to be limited
Steve Davis is one of today’s leading voices on the trombone.
In particular, I’m thinking of so many clas- to or encumbered by them. My goal is to play He has worked with jazz luminaries such as Art Blakey, Jackie
McLean, Chick Corea, Cecil Payne, Freddie Hubbard, Horace
sic, piano-led trio recordings by masters clearly and lyrically in as spontaneous a fash- Silver, Cedar Walton, Hank Jones and Benny Golson. Davis
such as Monk, Powell, Hank Jones, Horace ion as is possible. has performed at major venues around the world, including
appearances on The Jimmy Fallon Show with Stevie Wonder
Silver, Cedar Walton, Barry Harris, Tommy Another concept that has helped me express and The White House Tribute to Ray Charles (PBS). Davis
Flanagan, Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, myself as a soloist over the years is that play- appears on more than 150 recordings, including 20 as a leader.
His 2017 album Think Ahead (Smoke Sessions) is a collection
Phineas Newborn Jr., Red Garland, Bill Evans, ing the changes is essentially playing piano on of original compositions and time-honored classics. Other
Wynton Kelly, Sonny Clark, McCoy Tyner, trombone. It’s very important for non-pianists notable releases include Say When: Celebrating J.J. Johnson
(Smoke Sessions), For Real (Posi-Tone) and Gettin’ It Done
Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett to spend time learning how to voice chords on (Posi-Tone). Davis continues to work regularly with One For All
(featuring Eric Alexander), Larry Willis, Harold Mabern, Dizzy
and Mulgrew Miller. Then think of the mas- the keyboard. This way, you are able to hear, Gillespie All-Stars, Jimmy Heath, Ron Carter and Christian
ter bassists on these recordings: Ray Brown, visualize and internalize all types of chord McBride big bands. His original composition “Optimism”
appears on the McBride Big Band’s Grammy Award-winning
Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Sam Jones, qualities and consequently, deliver them on the release Bringin’ It (2018). A long-time educator, Davis has
Scott LaFaro, Bob Cranshaw, Jamil Nasser, trombone, as desired. In order to accomplish guided a broad range of emerging musicians at the Hartt
School’s Jackie McLean Institute, where he recently was
Buster Williams, David Williams. And con- this effectively, it’s advantageous to utilize alter- honored for more than 25 years of service. Other ongoing
sider the great drummers: Art Blakey, Philly nate-positions on the slide trombone to achieve educational endeavors include Jamey Aebersold’s Summer
Jazz Workshops, the Jazz in July program at UMASS
Joe Jones, Arthur Taylor, Jimmy Cobb, Ben maximum, technical efficiency. For instance, Amherst, Stanford University Jazz Workshop and a longtime
Riley, Ed Thigpen, Louis Hayes, Mickey Roker, when arpeggiating an E m11 chord, try playing affiliation with the Artist’s Collective. His forthcoming album,

E , G , then B , D  (each in fifth position), F (in

Correlations (Smoke Sessions), has a release date of March 8.
Billy Higgins, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Visit Davis online at stevedavismusic.com.

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 81

 BRASS SCHOOL Woodshed SOLO
BY JIMI DURSO

MADELEINE VENTRICE-KNUFFKE
Kirk Knuffke

.LUN.QXƨNHśV&RUQHW6RORRQŚ5LVHś
C
ornetist Kirk Knuffke gave himself a even with its tritone. But Knuffke adds in the for the change.
challenge with his song “Rise,” the first second (D#), which makes it sound a bit more The other element Knuffke changes for this
track from his 2015 album Lamplighter modal. Combining the G natural and D# second section is rhythmic. Whereas the empha-
(Fresh Sound New Talent). It’s performed with makes for sounding “in” but with a bit more sis had been on eighth notes, with occasional
no chordal instrument, which, though it pro- color than you’d usually hear in the funky- triplets and 16ths, from measures 28 through 36
vides a lot of freedom (since there’s no chord- blues genre. It’s especially effective in bars 6 there are almost no eighths (just a pair each in
al instrument hemming him in), also creates and 7, where we hear the D# in the upper part bars 31 and 32). It’s brilliant how in the same way
a lot of responsibility, since now the task of of the line, but the G natural under it at the end that Knuffke prepared our ear for the chromat-
defining the harmony (if that’s what’s desired) of the lick, sounding like he’s resolving there, ics by foreshadowing them in the first section,
rests more with the soloist. This is made a bit even though it’s not a chord tone. he also alluded to these denser rhythms, playing
easier on “Rise,” since it’s just a minor-chord The second part commences around bar some triplets in measures 1, 3, 8, 21, 22 and 24, as
vamp, but Knuffke decided to put it in C# 28, where Knuffke changes two things. First, well as 16ths in bars 10 and 12.
minor, which is not the most horn-friend- he moves away from the scale ideas presented For the final part, not only does Knuffke
ly key. (The transcription is presented here and starts playing more chromatically. In fact, dial back the rhythms to the original eighth-
in concert key, in order to accommodate all there aren’t any C# blues scale (or modal-lean- note concept (with a smattering of denser
instrumentalists.) ing) licks until the third section starts in the rhythms), but he also returns to the C# blues
In spite (or because) of this, Knuffke tells a middle of measure 35, so this middle section scale, but in each case there are a couple of dis-
compelling story. It’s split into three basic has dispensed with the harmonic material of tinctions. Whereas in the opening Knuffke
sections. For the first part (measures 1–27), the first. It’s mostly strings of chromatic notes. inserted the second (D#) into his lines, for
Knuffke sticks to a simple scale, or perhaps a But he didn’t go there abruptly. Knuffke hinted the conclusion he only uses this note in bar
combination of scales is a better way of think- at it in measure 8 with an ascending chromat- 36, the transition from the middle section. He
ing about it. It’s mostly the C# blues scale (C#, ic line, and even threw some chromatic notes does, however, add in a couple of A#’s (bars 35
E, F#, G, G#, B), which sounds very soulful, into measures 12 and 16, setting our ears up and 44–45), a note that makes it sound more

82 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

dorian (being the sixth) and was absent from rhythmic figures that don’t cleanly fit the of an “A prime,” as it has elements that dis-
his C# minor playing in the beginning. underlying subdivision is a simple and very tinguish it from the initial “A.” In doing so,
There is also the introduction of poly- effective means of producing polyrhythm, and his improvised solo comes off like a complete
rhythm in this final section. Measures 46–47 these rhythmic ideas also are exclusive to this composition. DB
repeat a one-and-a-half-beat figure, and in final part.
bars 52 and 54, Knuffke inverts this idea by On one hand, Knuffke has led us from “A” Jimi Durso is a guitarist and bassist based in the New York area.
playing two-note figures in triplets. Playing to “B” and back to “A,” but the last “A” is more Visit him online at jimidurso.com.

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 83

 BRASS SCHOOL Toolshed

Yamaha Allen Vizzutti YTR-9335VSII Trumpet

Spectacular Ease of Play, Maximum Control

A
s a professional musician, I know that Yamaha performing artists side. You can create the colors and richness wanted for a ballad and then
are unparalleled. Several of my trumpet idols perform on Yamaha soar in the upper register as needed. The slotting in the upper register was
horns. One of them is Allen Vizzutti. I first heard him perform precise. As a side note, I brought the horn back the following week for the
live about 13 or 14 years ago and was astounded by his mastery of the rest of the big band trumpet section to give a try. They all noticed the extra
instrument. He’s at ease in both jazz and classical music. He’s performed resistance and ease of play. They all sounded like themselves, but with a
on more than 150 movie and game soundtracks, composed for many elite clearer sound, in my opinion. I was a bit bummed, as I didn’t get to use it at
groups, written Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method, and now has worked all during that rehearsal.
with Yamaha to create the Allen Vizzutti Limited Edition Custom YTR- I didn’t have any classical work that week, but did have a chance to pull
9335VSII trumpet. out my well-worn copy of Arban’s to play through a few technical études,
Upon opening the case, the YTR-9335VSII shines, to say the least. The and was more than pleased with the results.
silver plating is flawless. The braces are solid and clean. The gold trim on I played a couple jazz combo gigs over the weekend, all of it muted and
the upper and lower valve caps is beautiful. I love how the black mother-of- mellow with just guitar and upright bass. Again, I had to back off in order
pearl valve buttons are highlighted by more gold trim. This is a spectacu- to make the horn sing, but it was well worth it. Endurance was most assur-
lar-looking trumpet. edly enhanced. The back pressure was a bit too much with my heavy cop-
So, what does it sound and feel like? To find out, I took it with me for a per bubble mute by Jo-Ral, but it opened up and was much more play-
week. Whether I was teaching or directing at school, mentoring at a stu- able with my lightweight Soulo harmon. I was able to create a nice mellow
dent’s home or performing for an audience, the YTR-9335VSII was there sound with a bucket. My favorite was with an adjustable cup mute. The col-
with me. As I was warming up prior to a big band rehearsal, I noticed that ors and tonal qualities were exactly what I was looking for.
there was very little adjustment needed at the top of the staff. As with every The Allen Vizzutti Limited Edition Custom YTR-9335VSII has a
trumpet I’ve ever played, D and E tend to be just a little flat, and F and G are 4⅞-inch one-piece yellow brass bell and a .459-inch bore. There’s an
just a bit high, but this model has been designed so well that those intona- extra brace on the first-valve tuning slide and an oversized pull knob
tion issues are minimized. What a pleasure to find that only subtle adjust- on the third-valve tuning slide—this design is supposed to help create
ments are needed to play in tune. more player-friendly resistance and increased control. Perhaps it was
The valves are quite efficient. I lightened my touch to adjust for the hard the synthetic valve guide material, or possibly the silver-plated brass pis-
rubber on the valve caps. Because I normally play on a large-bore horn, I ton stems in this model, that left me feeling quite at ease during the fast
could feel more back pressure on the medium-large-bore YTR-9335VSII. tunes. I don’t fully grasp the physics, but I can attest to the Allen Vizzutti
Backing off on airflow was required. The upper register then could be Limited Edition Custom trumpet being a wonderful instrument with an
played in a delicate manner with minimum effort and maximum control. ease of play that is truly special. —Jim Jacobs
Playing down low was also nice and solid. This trumpet is on the heavy usa.yamaha.com

Denis Wick Pixie-Plunger Combo

Specialized Sounds for Trumpet

L
ike music stands and valve oil, I consider mutes as basic equipment I plunger with my regular Humes and Berg stone-lined straight mute, which
must carry in my toolbox. The standard trumpeter’s lineup includes always proves pointless. Unfortunately, when a typical texture-rich Duke
the straight, cup, Harmon and plunger mute. I do most of my playing Ellington composition or other sophisticated ’40s big band numbers call for
in big bands, which reliably calls for all of these mutes at least once during a very specific sound quality, you don’t want to cheat it by defaulting to a
each gig. They usually reveal themselves for a few bars, or in some cases standard straight mute or a plunger by itself.
might not even see any play at all for several gigs in a row, but they serve The very specialized composite sound of a sharp, buzzy pixie straight
their intended purpose just enough to keep a permanent place in my gig bag. mute and the wahs of the plunger together create a unique sound quality
The pixie-mute-with-plunger combination pops up on such a rare occa- that extends the possibilities beyond the usual jazz ensemble tonal struc-
sions that many players never bother to get a pixie mute. I have tried to use a tures, and thus expands the depth of story the composer can tell within a

84 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

 Phaeton PHT-2060 Trumpet
piece of music. In addition to the edge and character
of the pixie-plunger, the blending sizzle or growl and
wah-wah sounds enable a trumpet player to imitate
characteristics of the human voice. Everyone knows
Balanced Response, Snazzy Appearance,
Satisfying Sound

F
how much trumpet players like to talk, so you know
we dig this aspect more than we probably should. rom my first glimpse of the PHT-2060 B-flat Trumpet, I responded immediately with
With the pixie and plunger, the trumpet can mock, a visceral jolt from its black copper antique finish. The flowing mix of brass, copper
jest and whoop up some real fun. and brushed nickel throughout the horn creates a distinctly raw, expressive presence.
When you combine a Denis Wick straight mute The rare matte-like multi-color finish carries a steam-punk quality that makes ho-hum sil-
designed for an E-flat trumpet with the Denis Wick ver and brass seem quaint. The overall look and feel of the design gives the impression of
aluminum plunger mute (complete with hard PVC some foreboding music-producing weapon, forged in an
edges and a flock-sprayed interior) on a B-flat trum- oddly sophisticated basement foundry by Christian Bale’s
pet, you create the desired pixie-plunger combo. The version of the Dark Knight.
size of the straight mute fits perfectly in the bell, with After my initial visual inspection of the PHT-2060, I
plenty of room for the plunger to engulf the mute embraced the beautiful beast. And, I soon discovered that
and hug the bell. this horn that defies traditional expectations and social
Denis Wick’s E-flat straight mutes come with norms—this confident character of an instrument that
three options for the base of the mute: aluminum, could promote itself as hipster-snazzy—performed quite
brass and bronze. The aluminum version feels well once I actually played some music.
weightless and provides the least resistance. The The trumpet feels substantial to hold, but light
brass-base mute (shown below) produces a slight- when playing. Without any serious effort, I could pro-
ly buzzier edge to it, but only if you really listen for duce a smooth colorful sound that filled the room, res-
it. The copper-base mute creates a slightly warmer onating much louder than I expected. I particular-
tone. Otherwise, it’s a matter of personal preference ly appreciated the low-resistance air flow, which sure
involving weight and visual flair. would come in handy when I get carried away with
The plunger mute feels luxurious with its clean exuberant choreography on the bandstand
PVC edge to keep the integrity of your wahs, while and suddenly realize I have a shout chorus
the flock-spray interior does a respectable job of coming my way.
insulating and reflecting the sound. The deep con- The most important factor for me
struction gives a much wider range of sounds from revolves around the ability to produce a
closed to fully open as well. warm tone with rich timbre. Aside from
Overall, the construction of the Denis Wick the joy of melodic soundwaves that engulf
plunger provides much more control and bet- my soul like a reassuring hug, I also enjoy
ter sound quality, and combining it with the E-flat sitting on fat swing notes, laying way, way
straight mute brings the advantage of the pixie back as Basie intended, or even simulating
plunger combo to your arsenal. —Dan Gorski drifting half-thoughts in the spirit of Miles
dansr.com Davis. While I found the overall sound I
could produce leaned more medium-warm, its
bold fullness added a layer that reverberated with
a rich spirit. And, the resonant sound remained
remarkably consistent in the lower and upper
registers.
The valves consist of Monel pistons with rose
brass ports and brass springs, with a decent
response and solid feel. As a bonus, the trum-
pet comes with three weighted mouthpiece
receivers (screw-in inserts)—made from stain-
less steel, aluminum and bronze—to provide
additional balance and pressure to the desired
comfort level of the player. I quite enjoyed the
heaviest weight, possibly because the instru-
ment feels lighter overall than my usual horn.
Ultimately, the weight provided a decent
anchor and a bit more control for me. It’s nice
to have such options to match players’ vary-
ing preferences.
Overall, the PHT-2060 offers a respect-
able professional instrument, with
an ease of play, well-balanced
response, striking appear-
ance and a satisfying, full
sound. —Dan Gorski
pjlamusic.com

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 85

 Jazz On Campus School Notes
Nicole Mitchell

ALEXIS ELLERS
Keyboardist/vocalist Cory Henry (left) performs with Columbia Mitchell to Pitt: The University of
College Chicago’s Fusion Ensemble during the 2018 Deep Dish Music Festival.
Pittsburgh has named flutist Nicole Mitchell

Columbia Offers
its William S. Dietrich II Endowed Chair in
Jazz Studies, effective July 1. Mitchell also
will be the director of the university’s jazz

Multifaceted Program
studies program and a professor in the
music department. She will become the third
director in the program’s 49-year history,
THE POSTERS ADORNING SCOTT HALL’S about counterpoint using the John Coltrane succeeding pianist Geri Allen, who passed
office at Columbia College Chicago would be quartet or Daft Punk as examples, which is dif- away in 2017. Mitchell said, “I have big shoes
to fill, following the incredible work Geri Allen
the envy of any school’s band director. Hall—a ferent than in most music schools.”
accomplished, making connections between
trumpeter and the director of jazz studies at Two of the department’s faculty members tradition and innovation. I’m excited to
Columbia—has brought in saxophonist Donny exemplify the CUP approach. Cassandra explore the full spectrum of creative possi-
McCaslin, trumpeter Dave Douglas and pianist O’Neal, who recently became the department’s bilities for jazz at Pitt.” Mitchell is currently a
Barry Harris, among others, to perform with practitioner-in-residence, teaches music theory professor of music at University of California,
and instruct students. using examples and anecdotes from her time as Irvine, where she teaches composition and
But rather than separate jazz students from a keyboardist and musical director for Prince’s improvisation in the graduate program of
their colleagues, the Columbia faculty encour- band. Vocalist Bobbi Wilsyn, who has taught at Integrated Composition, Improvisation and
ages inclusion and genre blending through its Columbia for more than 35 years, comes from Technology. music.pitt.edu
bachelor degree programs in contemporary, a more traditional jazz background. Wilsyn has
New Fest: The inaugural Princeton
urban and popular music. seen how students benefit from understanding University Jazz Festival will be held on April
“A jazz student is going to learn about jazz the connection between what they’re hearing 13 in Princeton, New Jersey. Performers
and blues, as well as everything else about con- today and the music’s roots. scheduled to perform include Dave Holland,
temporary music while they’re here,” Hall said. “One of the biggest opportunities we have is Donny McCaslin, Pedrito Martinez, Tia Fuller,
“Students want to collaborate with other types to introduce students to artists [from an earli- Ingrid Jensen, Joel Frahm and Charenée
of artists and styles, have a voice and make a er era],” Wilsyn said. “Students see that there’s Wade. “We are very excited to launch this
difference in the world. We are going to give evolution, so then they can take risks.” new festival bringing together a wide array
them skills to do so—ear-training, how to lis- Along with a wealth of opportunities to of today’s most creative and accomplished
ten and the process of practicing—so they can perform, Hall said that Columbia offers a direc- jazz artists performing with our remarkably
talented students,” said saxophonist Rudresh
apply these fundamental concepts to the type of tion for students who want to concentrate on
Mahanthappa, director of jazz at Princeton.
musical life that they want to have.” music or include it as part of a wider educa- music.princeton.edu
Columbia established its CUP program 10 tion. The bachelor of music program includes
years ago, and about 300 music majors current- advanced coursework in performance, as well Austrian Exchange: Applications will be
ly are enrolled. Hall and his colleagues present as management and business requirements. accepted through March 31 for the Zawinul
foundational music courses without textbooks Columbia’s outreach efforts include its Foundation for Achievement’s international
and without a typical initial immersion in the Deep Dish Music Festival, an annual event music exchange program. One student from
classical canon. So, while teaching the funda- that invites high school and community col- Austria and one student from the United
States will be honored for demonstrating
mentals, Columbia professors draw from the lege ensembles to participate in performances
exceptional musical talent and passion. The
breadth of contemporary music—jazz, as well and workshops. McCaslin will serve as the art- Austrian winner will have a two-week course
as gospel, r&b and hip-hop. ist-in-residence for this year’s festival (to be held at Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena,
“Singing Bach chorales is strengthening, March 8), which is designed for ensembles play- California, followed by an additional week of
useful and has helped many generations of ing jazz, r&b, hip-hop, rock, singer/songwriter, private lessons. The U.S. winner will receive
musicians understand harmony—but it’s not gospel and Latin music. a three-week trip to Vienna, Austria, where
the only way to go,” said Nathan Bakkum, an The school’s Manifest Urban Arts Festival, he or she will attend courses at the Vienna
associate dean at Columbia. “Dedicating our- slated for May 10, will include performances Musician Institute and have private lessons
selves to contemporary practice means embrac- and exhibits from artists representing myriad at the Joe Zawinul Music School in Gumpold-
ing that at every level. So, students are doing majors and will be held throughout Chicago’s skirchen, Austria. zawinulfoundation.org
contemporary arranging work and talking South Loop neighborhood. —Aaron Cohen

86 DOWNBEAT APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 87
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ACT Music + Vision................. 49 NS Design .............................. 27 Schilke ................................... 83

actmusic.com thinkns.com schilkemusic.com
Allison Au .............................. 59 Pittsburgh Jazz Sheetminder .......................... 77
allisonau.com Festival ...................................21 sheetminder.com
pittsburghjazzfest.org
Antigua ................................... 2 Smithsonian Folkways
antiguawinds.com RC Wiliams ............................. 63 Recordings ............................. 59
rcwilliamsco.com folkways.si.edu
ArkivJazz ................................17
arkivjazz.com Realist  ................................... 41 Sony Music ............................ 55
realistacoustic.com sonymusic.com
Blessing ..................................91
blessingbrass.com Reed Geek ................................ 8 Sunnyside Records .................18
reedgeek.com sunnysiderecords.com
Blue Note  ................................ 5
bluenote.com Resonance Records ................ 20 Tri-C Jazz Festival .................. 29
resonancerecords.org tri-cjazzfest.com
Cannonball Music .................... 7
cannonballmusic.com Sam Ash ................................. 10 Vandoren ................................. 3
samash.com dansr.com
Casio ...................................... 37
casiomusicgear.com Samson ...................................71 Yamaha .............................. 9, 31
samsontech.com usa.yamaha.com
Chicago Symphony Center .....12
cso.org
Consolidated Artists Publishing .. 8
jazzbeat.com
DownBeat ............................... 4
downbeat.com
FIMAV–Festival International
de Musique de Actuelle
Victoriaville ........................... 23
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Fishman .................................. 11
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Jamey Aebersold ....................16
summerjazzworkshops.com
Jazz Foundation of America .. 46
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jazzahead! ............................. 72
jazzahead.de
JEN–Jazz Education Network 87
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JJ Babbitt ...............................15
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JodyJazz ................................ 92
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Mack Avenue ..........................19
mackavenue.com
Montreal Jazz Festival ........... 35
montrealjazzfest.com
North Coast Brewing ............... 4
northcoastbrewing.com/jazz
APRIL 2019 DOWNBEAT 89
 ERIKA GHEZZI
Blindfold Test BY TED PANKEN

Stefano Bollani
D uring the JAZZMI Festival in Milan, on the morning after a sold-
out concert at the Conservatorio in support of his recent album
Que Bom (Alobar), Italian pianist Stefano Bollani came to the Teatro
dell’Artie to take the Blindfold Test. The inerpreter/translator was
Isabella Ranieri.

Cécile McLorin Salvant

“Wild Is Love” (The Window, Mack Avenue, 2018) Salvant, vocals; Sullivan Fortner, piano.
I love it. The pianist is playing a kind of Brazilian feel, but with a singer. I
have no idea who she is. I also have no idea what the song is. It sound-
Stefano Bollani performs at the 2018 JAZZMI Festival in Milan.
ed like “I Love You” by Cole Porter, but then they took that away. I really
like this piano player. 5 stars. [after] Actually, I was thinking about Cécile
McLorin Salvant, who is one of my favorite singers. I love her voice, her Brad Mehldau Trio
skills—everything. I just saw her play with Aaron Diehl, who played in a “Great Day” (Seymour Reads The Constitution!, Nonesuch, 2018) Mehldau, piano; Larry
Grenadier, bass; Jeff Ballard, drums; Paul McCartney, composer.
totally different way, so I thought: “It’s not Aaron Diehl, so probably it’s
He’s taking his time. Now, the bassist is soloing. I love it. But I have no
not Cécile.”
idea who the musicians are. I don’t know the song. It’s too difficult, too
Jason Moran contemporary. [after] I know the three of them. I’ve played a lot with
“South Side Digging” (The Armory Concert, 2017, YES Records) Moran, piano. Larry and Jeff. So, it’s good that I don’t recognize them, because it means
I have no idea of the [artist’s] name, of course. You told me there [might they are always surprising me. 4 stars.
be some] contemporary piano players—and usually we musicians pre-
fer to listen to the dead ones. I guess the pianist is somehow related to Maria Pia De Vito
“Dio ce Penzarrà” (Core [Coraçâo], Jando, 2017) Pia De Vito, vocals; Huw Warren, piano;
Romania or to Eastern Europe, because he is making the piano sound Roberto Taufic, guitar; Chico Buarque, composer.
like a cimbalom. 3½ stars. [the music resolves into a blues] I thought he This is a Chico Buarque song, but it’s another language. Ah, it’s Maria Pia
was Romanian, and now he sounded like Harlem in the 1930s. [after] De Vito. She made a record where she’s singing the lyrics in Neapolitan.
Jason’s full of different talents and flavors. The flavor that reminded me It took me awhile, because I couldn’t get that it was Neapolitan, at least
of Romanian music was just one of them. from this seat, and because I’m used to the original version. I like it very
much. I think the piano player is the British guy, Huw Warren, who I
Ehud Asherie like. 4 stars.
“If You’ve Never Been Vamped By A Brownskin” (Shuffle Along, Blue Heron, 2016) Ash-
erie, piano; Eubie Blake, composer.
There is a chance this guy is dead. He’s alive? He’s really playing this! Earl Hines
“It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” (Earl Hines Plays Duke Ellington Vol-
Bellissimo. I said that probably he’s dead because he’s playing a precise ume Two, Master Jazz Recordings/New World, 1997/rec’d 1972) Hines, piano.
style from the ’20s or ’30s. He’s definitely into that. So, of course, he’s not This is “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.” It sounds like
French or Scandinavian. He could be one of these American monsters Earl Hines during the 1970s. I really love this guy, and this period, too.
who can play in a lot of different styles. He has that feeling. A lot of piano My feeling is that he put forth more energy when he was getting older;
players using this style have a different way of phrasing. 5 stars. that he was pushing more, stretching out. 5 stars.
My jazz piano teacher, Luca Flores, loved Earl Hines, so I listened to
Enrico Pieranunzi him a lot when I was young. We practiced on a version of “Blues In
“Simul” (Proximity, Camjazz, 2015) Pieranunzi, piano, composer; Ralph Alessi, trumpet.
Thirds” that he recorded solo during the ’60s, which was the first thing I
I liked it. It’s the same attitude as many things that I did in a duo with
ever arranged for small band, trying to transfer the sound of his chords
Enrico Rava, but in a more Hindemith kind of world. It is a sona-
to the reeds and saxophones, as well as trying to do that on the piano.
ta for trumpet and piano, mixing a waltz vibe with this Hindemith
thing. ... I guess that’s an attitude we could have developed—but it’s
not us. I don’t know the pianist; I didn’t recognize the style. 4 stars.
Jaki Byard
“The Hollis Stomp” (Solo Piano, Prestige, 1969) Byard, piano, composer.
[after] Actually, we were born on the same day, Dec. 5. So is Egberto I don’t know this composition or the recording, but it sounds like Jaki
Gismonti. While the waltz was going on, his left hand was Dave Byard. 5 stars. I’m in love with Jaki Byard’s music. That’s a good exam-
Brubeck-ing. ple of someone who started from Earl Hines as a point of departure, and
then brings the entire thing into contemporary music. He had his own
Jon Batiste world. He taught me that whatever you use for the music, whatever is
“Nocturne No. 1 In D Minor” (Hollywood Africans, Verve, 2018) Batiste, piano, composer.
your thing, it all depends on the way you mix it with the other things.
It was once easy to decide where a piano player came from. Until the
And he had very good taste. DB
1960s, if you heard this kind of thing, you would say, “OK, he’s from
South America.” But nowadays, things are mixed a lot, so it’s more dif-
ficult to guess a musician’s background. I liked it. Sometimes it sounded
like the soundtrack to a Fritz Lang or Murnau character from the 1920s. The “Blindfold Test” is a listening test that challenges the featured artist to discuss and identify
the music and musicians who performed on selected recordings. The artist is then asked to rate
Remember Max Schreck, the guy who acted in Nosferatu? 4 stars. each tune using a 5-star system. No information is given to the artist prior to the test.

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