GA Russell

Eva Kess Presents A Unique, Ambitious Ensemble & Composition on "Sternschnuppen: Falling Stars," Set for August 28 Release By Neuklang Records Bassist-Composer Offers an Intricate, Suite-Like Program Written For & Performed By a Septet Comprised of String Quartet & Jazz Rhythm Section July 24, 2020 Bassist, composer, and bandleader Eva Kess unveils a remarkable expanded sonic palette on Sternschnuppen: Falling Stars, to be released August 28 on Neuklang Records. The Swiss/German musician heads a septet that also features pianist Simon Schwaninger, violinists Vincent Millioud and Susanna Andres, violist Nao Rohr, cellist Ambrosius Huber, and drummer Philipp Leibundgut—a wholly original take on the concept of chamber jazz. It’s no mere matter of semantics that Kess calls her ensemble a septet, as opposed to the more common “trio plus string quartet.” The bassist did not simply fuse two working ensembles together but assembled the group from scratch especially for Falling Stars—whose nine tracks she always performs in the same sequence as is programmed on the album. The music is a complex program that depends not on strings accompanying a jazz band, but on all seven members listening to and following each other with as much care as they give to playing Kess’s written notes. “This is highly contrapuntal music,” she explains, “where every player holds a high degree of melodic and rhythmic responsibility.” There can be no doubt about that. Whether in the kicky bossa nova of “Porto Alegre,” on which the violins play as integral role in the groove as does the drummer; the bassist’s dramatic enmeshing with the other strings on the pianoless “The Subsequent Use of Yesteryear and Futility”; the every-which-way syncopation of “Experimental Dreaming”; or the bold interactions of “Penta Piece,” it’s clear that Kess’s conception is one that makes great demands on each of her musicians and gives none priority over any others. This includes Kess herself. Except in her compositional voice, the bassist is no overweening presence on Falling Stars herself: she can emerge from the ensemble with a lustrous solo or powerful obbligato, then disappear again into the groove. “As a double bassist I’m in a team providing rhythmic as well as harmonic information,” she says. “For me it’s about the music as a whole, not only the bass.” In the case of Falling Stars, the music as a whole is both a reimagination of strings as jazz instruments, and of the fuller possibilities of a jazz ensemble. More than that, it is a scintillating work of art. Eva Kess was born Eva Patricia Kesselring on April 10, 1985, in West Berlin and grew up in Bern, Switzerland (after spending a few years in Porto Alegre, Brazil). As a child she played piano, advancing enough that as a young teenager she was able to perform a Bach concerto with a symphony orchestra. At 17, however, her world shifted radically. First, she fell in love with the double bass after hearing a street performance by a bass quartet; soon afterward, a friend took her to her first jazz concert, where she fell in love once again. Taking lessons with bassist Lorenz Beyeler—the bassist she had heard at that first jazz show—and later with fellow Bern bassist Thomas Dürst, Kess made the rounds of the local jazz scene, acquainting herself with both Bern’s musicians and the American and European artists who passed through the Swiss capital. She was soon able to form her own trio. After studying at the Music Academy of Basel, she returned to her hometown where she entered the University of the Arts Bern’s prestigious master’s program in music composition and theory. Among her teachers were pianist/composers Django Bates and Guillermo Klein, both of whom became her mentors. In 2010, Kess won a scholarship to study in New York, adding the U.S. to Germany, Brazil, and Switzerland in her array of musical and cultural experiences. That same year she also recorded her debut album, Wondering What Is Coming. After seven years came her long-awaited second recording, Flying Curly, followed by last year’s unaccompanied album Bassexperiment and, now, Sternschnuppen: Falling Stars. “Usually, I am an optimist, so I try to see the pandemic as a time found instead of time lost,” says Kess. “A time in which it is very important to keep going no matter what. At the start I’ve been asking myself: What can I do now for my future? And then I’ve decided to write some music, going for long walks in the forest or at the river, talking more with my parents, watching movies and reading some books. Of course the jazz aspect of interactive music is not possible during social distancing, so the communal experience is missing; many things have become a bit abstract lately. Music live and music online is not the same experience. As humans we are social creatures, it is a deep human need to be around others. Yet compositional processes are still the same and composition is pretty solitary and needs a lot of patience anyway. “So many things are happening at the same time everywhere around the globe. As creators we take and we convert outside influences as well as inside feelings, experiences, convictions, beliefs, etc. All in all it is a very unique time for creators in which it is very important to stay inspired and to be compassionate with yourself and with others.” Eva Kess: Sternschnuppen/Falling Stars EPK Web Site: evakess.com ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Thanks, Matthew!

I am reading Luis Tiant's book Son of Havana, and a thought occurred to me. Do major leaguers play Winter League ball anymore? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1635765439/

Edmonton announced Monday that they will no longer be called the Eskimos. They would like to keep the logo, and promise no prompt decision on a new name. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-cfl-team-name-1.5657661 https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/21/edmonton-football-team-discontinues-use-name-eskimos/ https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/21/edmonton-executives-comment-on-pending-name-change/ https://www.tsn.ca/edmonton-cfl-franchise-confirms-team-will-change-name-1.1498045 https://3downnation.com/2020/07/21/costs-for-edmonton-name-change-over-1-million/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/21/edmonton-discontinues-use-of-the-word-eskimos-in-teams-name/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/21/new-era-for-the-edmonton-football-team-as-fresh-name-process-begins/ I think they should call themselves the Edmonton Rough Riders. ***** The league is said to be considering playing a regular season of six games, with eight teams making the playoffs. All of this would be done in a hub city. Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary submitted bids to be the hub city. The league Monday tentatively chose Winnipeg. No formal decisions have been announced about anything. I have refrained over these past weeks from posting the many articles which are merely speculation. https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/21/winnipeg-tentatively-chosen-hub-city-2020-season/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-cfl-hub-city-1.5657988 https://3downnation.com/2020/07/20/manitoba-premier-brian-pallister-invites-cfl-to-play-2020-season-in-winnipeg-commits-2-5-million-if-selected-as-hub-city https://3downnation.com/2020/07/20/manitobas-chief-medical-health-officer-brent-roussin-details-winnipeg-cfl-bubble-plans/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/21/manitobas-proposal-for-cfl-hub-city-far-from-perfect-amid-covid-19-pandemic/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/20/riders-submit-competitive-bid-for-cfl-hub-city-in-regina/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/21/calgary-rounds-out-cfl-hub-city-bid-proposals/ ***** It is now time to vote for the best o- and d- linemen of the past decade. https://www.cfl.ca/cfl-decade-team-ol-dl/

That's great, Dan!

RIP. I remember seeing her once on an episode of The Saint!

I hope everyone has clicked on the Cookie Gilchrest link in the previous post. He was an interesting character. Here are the final three feuds. https://3downnation.com/2020/07/17/top-10-cfl-feuds-michael-lysko-vs-the-board-of-governors/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/18/top-10-cfl-feuds-troy-westwood-vs-ed-philion/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/19/top-10-cfl-feuds-joe-kapp-vs-angelo-mosca/ ***** TSN on Friday named its all-time Sask roster. What say you, Dana? https://www.tsn.ca/george-reed-ron-lancaster-backfield-highlight-cfl2020-s-all-time-roughriders-roster-1.1495641 https://3downnation.com/2020/07/17/tsn-unveils-all-time-saskatchewan-roughriders-roster/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/20/greatest-roughriders-not-on-tsns-all-time-team/ ***** Speedy Banks tweeted that he will not play this year, and will plan to play next year on the terms of this year's contract. https://3downnation.com/2020/07/19/cfl-most-outstanding-player-brandon-banks-i-wont-put-on-a-helmet-til-2021/ https://www.tsn.ca/hamilton-tiger-cats-receiver-brandon-banks-i-won-t-put-on-a-helmet-til-2021-1.1497322 ***** The Eskimos are considering changing the team name, even though the majority of the team's Eskimo fans have no objection to it. This even made bing.com's headlines! https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/edmonton-cfl-club-reportedly-will-drop-eskimos-name/ar-BB16SRhs?li=BB15ms5q https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2020/07/18/report-cfls-edmonton-eskimos-to-change-team-name/ https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/edmonton-cfl-team-reportedly-will-change-name-from-eskimos-after-sponsors-threaten-to-bow-out/ https://www.tmz.com/2020/07/17/edmonton-eskimos-cfl-name-change/ https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/edmonton-eskimos-consider-name-change-after-backlash-and-sponsor-pushback/ ***** Five stars from the 2011 BC Lions relive the season. https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/20/remote-reunion-episode-1-2011-bc-lions/

The Hall of Fame announced its 2020 inductees today. Henry Burris Freddie Childress Clyde Brock John Hufnagel Larry Uteck Greg Vavra https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/16/canadian-football-hall-fame-unveils-2020-induction-class/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-henry-burris-canadian-football-hall-of-fame-inductee-2020-1.5652092 https://3downnation.com/2020/07/16/burris-hufnagel-headline-2020-canadian-football-hall-of-fame-inductees/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/16/star-university-of-calgary-qb-greg-vavra-inducted-into-canadian-football-hall-of-fame/ ***** This week marked the 26th anniversary of Matt Dunnigan's passing for 713 yards. https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/15/oleary-dunigans-passing-yards-record-looks-untouchable/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/15/legendary-cfl-quarterback-matt-dunigan-set-pro-football-passing-record-without-knowing-it/ ***** This week's 40-minute game is last year's Week 2 Sask v. Ottawa. https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/15/cfl-game-40-double-dominique/ ***** More of the Top 10 feuds. https://3downnation.com/2020/07/15/top-10-cfl-feuds-cookie-gilchrist-vs-the-cfl-establishment/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/16/top-10-cfl-feuds-eric-tillman-vs-don-matthews/ ***** Edmonton posted a C$1.1 million loss for 2019, mostly because it spent C$950 thousand to keep Montreal afloat. https://3downnation.com/2020/07/15/eskimos-post-1-1-million-loss-in-2019-while-sending-950000-to-montreal-alouettes/

JC Abbott of 3 Down Nation is compiling a list of Top 10 personal feuds in league history. https://3downnation.com/2020/07/06/unveiling-a-3downnation-project-top-10-feuds-in-cfl-history/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/07/top-10-cfl-feuds-adam-rita-vs-jeff-reinebold/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/08/top-10-cfl-feuds-dieter-brock-vs-the-city-of-winnipeg/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/09/top-10-cfl-feuds-tyrone-jones-vs-cal-murphy/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/10/top-10-cfl-feuds-dave-chaytors-vs-doug-flutie/ https://3downnation.com/2020/07/11/top-10-cfl-feuds-ed-harrington-vs-sonny-wade/ ***** Wade Miller is willing to play the season in the winter. https://3downnation.com/2020/07/08/winter-cfl-games-in-2020-canadians-can-sit-outside-any-time-of-year-bombers-wade-miller/ ***** TSN has listed its all-time Montreal team. https://www.tsn.ca/anthony-calvillo-mike-pringle-highlight-cfl2020-s-all-time-alouettes-roster-1.1493997 https://3downnation.com/2020/07/10/tsn-unveils-all-time-alouettes-roster/ ***** Voting is now open for the 2010s best running back and linebackers. https://www.cfl.ca/cfl-decade-team-rbs-lbs/ https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/08/numbers-looking-decade-rbs-lb-milestones/ ***** This week's 40-minute game is November's Grey Cup. https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/09/cfl-game-40-re-living-107th-grey-cup/ ***** The league is now seeking C$42.5 million from the federal government to help it pay for this year's games without ticket sales. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-federal-government-aid-1.5645622 https://www.tsn.ca/cfl-submits-financial-aid-request-to-federal-government-1.1494145

The top photo is an odd shape. Is it a distortion of an LP?

Jamo S 809 Floorstanding Dolby Atmos Ready Speakers, Black, Pair - $239.00 (54% off) https://www.adorama.com/ja1064325.html ***** Jamo S 807 Floorstanding Dolby Atmos Ready Speakers, Walnut, Pair - $169.00 (67% off) https://www.adorama.com/ja1064580.html

Tubby Hayes - Grits, Beans And Greens: The Lost Fontana Studio Sessions 1969 (2 CDs) - 6.89 GBP https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B07RC247YL/

Mystery solved. Michael, the Samsung you recommended is normally $26, an entirely competitive price. But Amazon is out of Samsung burners, and only one vendor is offering what you suggested, which is why he is demanding $59. So I moved on. Mike, the LG is currently $24, and I almost chose it. Maybe I should have. jcam, your Z5STBT is only $17, the lowest price I could find. I decided to go with the Rodzon, because it was very highly rated, and because today there is a $7 coupon which brings the price down to $20. So I'll let you know if I find out I bought junk because it was on sale! Thanks everyone! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QTH2MVW/

2x Klipsch R-625FA Ebony - R-52C - R-41M, Pair, - SPL-100 10" 450W Subwoofer - $1,149.00 (53% off) https://www.adorama.com/kpr625fak5.html

For the gamblers, here is an electronics Mystery Box for $19.99. https://www.itechdeals.com/products/itechdeals-surprise-box-of-tech-limited-quantities-available Let us know what you got!

Thanks Michael! Amazon has this for $59, and says that the best selling Rioddas and Rodzan both go for half that. Is there something I'm missing?

Yes, I didn't know he was from Louisiana!

(I hope this isn't a repeat!) Illinois Jacquet I once heard a live performance where the MC introduced him as "Illi-noyz Jacket." Maybe so, but I've always been skeptical. Anybody know for sure?

I am planning to pick up an external CD burner for my computer. Would anyone like to recommend a specific brand and model? Thanks!

That was my first thought as well.

TSN has named its Calgary all-time lineup. https://www.tsn.ca/doug-flutie-jon-cornish-highlight-cfl2020-s-all-time-calgary-stampeders-roster-1.1491769 https://3downnation.com/2020/07/03/tsn-unveils-all-time-stampeders-roster/ ***** This is your last chance to vote for the Receivers and DBs of the Decade. https://www.cfl.ca/2010s-all-decade-team-wrs-dbs/ ***** This week's 40-minute game is last year's Western Final. https://www.cfl.ca/2020/07/02/cfl-game-40-goalpost/

Chestnutt set the new record today with 75! https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2020/07/04/Joey-Chestnut-Miki-Sudo-win-Nathans-Hot-Dog-Eating-Contest/2021593882639/

I bought my Pioneer region-free DVD player years ago from Bombay Electronics in Chicago. I've never had a problem with it. https://www.bombayelectronics.com/collections/dvd-blu-ray-players It was my suspicion that Amazon began to carry them because Spanish language discs are Region 4, while the US and Canada are Region 1. I got mine because Amazon UK (Region 3?) sold a number of '60s movies I wanted.

The seasons of all Organized Baseball minor leagues have been cancelled. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article243540922.html

The league is conducting a poll of the fans to name the best players of the past decade. https://3downnation.com/2020/06/23/cfl-unveils-voting-process-for-leagues-first-ever-team-of-the-decade/ https://www.cfl.ca/2010s-all-decade-team-wrs-dbs/ https://www.cfl.ca/2020/06/30/numbers-looking-decade-receivers-dbs/ https://www.cfl.ca/2020/06/23/oleary-decade-voters-size-hefty-task/ https://www.cfl.ca/2020/06/26/landry-selecting-decade-team/ https://the-waggle-6144160a.simplecast.com/episodes/debating-the-decades-best https://www.tsn.ca/former-receiver-adarius-bowman-humbled-to-be-included-on-cfl-all-decade-list-1.1489509 ***** TSN is picking the all-time best players for each team. Winnipeg https://3downnation.com/2020/06/19/tsn-unveils-all-time-blue-bombers-roster/ Hamilton https://www.tsn.ca/angelo-mosca-garney-henley-highlight-cfl2020-s-all-time-ticats-roster-1.1489807 https://3downnation.com/2020/06/26/tsn-unveils-all-time-tiger-cats-roster/ https://3downnation.com/2020/06/27/few-quibbles-with-tsns-all-time-ticats-roster/ ***** James Wilder, Jr., has retired! https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-james-wilder-retirement-1.5625690 https://www.tsn.ca/talent/montreal-alouettes-james-wilder-jr-reluctantly-retires-due-to-cfl-season-uncertainty-1.1489244 https://3downnation.com/2020/06/24/running-back-james-wilder-jr-retires-from-the-cfl/ https://3downnation.com/2020/06/24/get-wilder-fitness-high-school-coaching-job-draws-james-wilder-jr-off-the-football-field/ https://www.cfl.ca/2020/06/24/report-james-wilder-jr-elects-retire-cfl/ ***** Sask led the league last year, averaging over 29,000 tickets sold per game. https://3downnation.com/2020/06/25/riders-led-cfl-in-tickets-sold-with-over-29000-per-game-during-2019-season/ ***** Jonathan Rose is attempting to come back after spinal fusion surgery. https://3downnation.com/2020/06/27/free-agent-cfl-cover-man-jonathan-rose-cleared-following-spinal-fusion-surgery/ ***** This week's 40-minute game is last year's Eastern Final. https://www.cfl.ca/2020/06/25/cfl-game-40-looking-back-eastern-final/ ***** Bob O'Billovich turned 80 today. https://www.cfl.ca/2020/06/30/happy-birthday-bob-obillovich/