Lazaro Vega

They played Elastic after Grand Rapids and then went into the studio. We shall see. I know Steve grabbed a recording of the Grand Rapids hit, which he said was one of the best of the tour. Trying to add some photos here, but they're too big. Ann Nessa took some good ones which are on FB: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=454277281445450&set=pcb.454278914778620&type=3&theater

September 20, 2015 Sometimes, you just need to be ready. Ready to listen and accept what you’re hearing. When trombonist/composer Steve Swell and his musical partner for 14 years tenor saxophonist/bass clarinetist Gebhard Ullmann start their concerts, the begin improvising. Freely. That’s how the second season of the Underground Series at LaFontsee Gallery presented by adventuremusic.org in Grand Rapids began Sunday afternoon, September 20th – with quiet long tones shaped by tension and release in free time. Though the trombonist and saxophonist have appeared a number of times in west Michigan starting in 2004 with bassist Hillard Greene and drummer Barry Altschul, who have their own authentic identity, this ensemble was going somewhere else. This time was different. This time was new. Yes, cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm and percussionist Michael Zerang have played together for 20 years, but the first tour integrating their Chicago bred-concepts with Swell and Ullmann’s compositions and instrumental methodologies was right here, right now. Thus the band’s title: The Chicago Plan. In those quiet long tones rising and flexing like crescents of fine bending metal, Swell’s extended high register trombone sounds, colored by mutes and uncanny breath control, disappeared into the cello’s bowed notes, long sounds colored by subtle electronics, which Zerang commented on with perfect obbligatos, lovely fills from the drums, and Ullmann fuzzed up with bass clarinet overtones. As 10 minutes or so slipped by the band combined and recombined in instrumentation – trombone, cello, percussion; trombone, bass clarinet, cello; cello, drums, full ensemble – rising and falling in dynamic level, until the rhythmic counterpoint based in intervals characteristic of Ullmann’s compositions arrived as the piece “Deja vu.” Then they just kicked ass. You could sense those in the audience who weren’t ready, who were lost, grabbed for that theme like a life ring. Here now was jazz energy. Here was meticulous virtuosity. Here was wild, driving rhythm and horns in a front-line part. Here was free jazz. Stopping on a dime, returning to the previous mood. Finding a way to end. The ebb and flow of formal composition and instantaneous improvisation is what makes this approach to music making so exciting, especially when it works as well as it did on Sunday. Swell’s series of “Composite” compositions continues to expand. On Sunday, the newest, “Composite #10,” began with Michael Zerang’s solo for metal candy dish. Not kidding. He laid the 12 or so inch silver dish on the snare drum, held it with his left hand and used a tympani mallet or drum stick with this right to whack the metal into music. He’d dampen the sound, bend the sound, let it rattle on the drum, and created a melodic structure by doing so. He took his time. Eventually that melody idea came to range across the drum set (Zerang plays with a middle-Eastern rhythmic accent at times, which, to over simplify, you know from “Blue Rondo a la Turk” – dancing in 11 and 9). By staying on the drum kit and using the cymbals for accents, Zerang propelled us into Swell’s suite-like excursion which, after more than 15 minutes of amazing, high energy development, came to rest on Lonberg-Holm’s “cello” solo. Quotation marks because it was more about Lonberg-Holm’s manipulation via electronics of sound, sound looping and squealing, thumping and unplugging -- zap! -- chorusing and thickening and screaming and mewing, than it was a “straight” cello solo. Returning to the long tones that gave rise to his episode in the first place, Lonberg-Holm bridged a return to structure and the band took it out. Ullmann’s “Variations on a Master Plan Part 2” was the lone purely quiet piece in the concert – there was the sense of autumn in the cello’s downcast color. Swell’s “Rule #1” is a bit similar to his composition “Box Set,” which is hard driving, inspired by alto saxophonist Jimmy Lyons, though elastic in time sense. Zerang was up for the challenge, as propelling a high energy jazz cymbal sound as you’ll ever hear. And if you know Ullmann’s “7-9-8,” which rocks a funky tipping point between 7/8 and 9/8 time signatures with extra sensory unison parts for sax and trombone, you would have enjoyed the concert closer “Variations Part 3.” Ullmann and Swell have developed a challenging rapport over the years. Their moments of collective improvisation -- whether in rhythmic counterpoint or unison fly overs – would strain even the most practiced chops. That they do it for fun is our delight. Whether entirely bemused or completely bewitched, Sunday’s crowd stayed through to the end -- because, really, “what is going to happen next?” is a powerful attention getter-- then swarmed the band with a prolonged standing ovation. www.Adventuremusic.org indeed. Lazaro Vega Jazz Director, Blue Lake Public Radio www.bluelake.org

Donald Clarke wrote John Coltrane's music was a "broad church." So the mantra-like characteristics of his playing was celebrated, yet it's important to remember his earlier mastery of form, which is why we began Jazz From Blue Lake last night with John Coltrane playing the music of Duke Ellington. Hope you'll join us, temporarily, here: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150923.mp3

Since creating the original film score for the 2014 film “Birdman,” drummer Antonio Sanchez issued two albums, a double CD of three trios playing three original pieces or Sanchez arrangements of jazz standards, and a suite or music composed for his ensemble Migration. We featured both recordings last night on Jazz From Blue Lake. Here's a temporary link to the broadcast (with, hopefully, higher bit rate improving sound quality). http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150922.mp3

He's on a new album by the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra and takes a few features, notably "September Song." Sounds like Doc. It's not as wild as he once was, which may actually be a good thing.

Great to see you, Chuck. And thanks for the heads up on Roscoe this Sunday in Chi.

Good discussion about important elements of how and why the music is handed down. Appreciate it. Musicians in their 60's, and the community around them, know. They just know -- this is what it is about. Being an individual, playing recognizably as you. As in literature, having a voice. It might be a mash up of other voices as in the encyclopedic style of Thomas Pynchon, but it's still unmistakably his voice. Then there's the ensemble awareness and how one's frequency range contributes to the whole range the band is putting out, as opposed to stomping on it and hogging the range. What is it to contribute to the ensemble...playing standards or improvising, who's taught to think about that by academia?

Basement Research, Ta Lam, Conference Call, Double Trio of Clarinets....these are bands featuring Gebhard Ullmann. Tonight on Jazz From Blue Lake, please join us for the saxophonist/composer/multiple band leader who Paul Bley calls, "...one of the finest improvising artists in the world today," Gebhard Ullmann. The program streams live, 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. eastern time from www.bluelake.org/radio

Opening their tour tonight at Constellation in Chicago. From Steve Swell: Hey Midwest! I'll be coming through with a new band co-lead with my good friend Gebhard Ullmann along with some Chicago friends Fred L-Holm and Michael Zerang starting this coming Wednesday, September 16th. We will be in Chicago (Constellation), Lafayette, Indiana, Cleveland, Detroit and Grand Rapids then back to Chicago and the recording studio. I will also be toting a bunch of new CDs most notably my 60th Birthday Double CD (NotTwo), "Kanreki" with 4 of my paintings and 4 of my poems in the booklet. Hope to see you there. For specific venues you can click here: http://www.steveswell.com/UpcomingPerformances.htm

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH AT 3 P.M. GEBHARD ULLMANN AND STEVE SWELL PRESENT THE CHICAGO PROJECT AT LAFONTSEE GALLERIES, GRAND RAPIDS. “Gebhard Ullmann is one of the finest improvising artists in the world today,“ (Paul Bley) In collaboration with LaFontsee Galleries and Blue Lake Public Radio’s Lazaro Vega, Adventuremusic.org presents the second season of experiential concerts, The Underground Series, with a new international improvising ensemble co-led by saxophonist/bass clarinetist Gebhard Ullmann and trombonist Steve Swell: The Chicago Project, featuring Chicagoans cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm and drummer/percussionist Michael Zerang. As part of a 6 concert tour the Chicago Project’s performance in Grand Rapids offers a glimpse into the evolution of an improvising ensemble, a nightly experience of musical growth and possibility. “Gebhard Ullmann is one of the finest improvising artists in the world today, “said pianist Paul Bley of the Berlin-based tenor saxophonist/bass clarinetist with 50 recordings released under his own name. Steve Swell has a foundation in the teachings of veteran trombonist Roswell Rudd and blossomed from there into a socially conscious, virtuosic trombonist and visionary bandleader (hear his ensemble “Slamming the Infinite”). Together Ullmann and Swell developed a musical simpatico leading to more unique concert experiences than are generally fielded outside of major cities (Berlin, New York and Chicago, in this instance). They put Grand Rapids on their tour route in 2004, leading a quartet including jazz giant Barry Altschul, drums, and Hilliard Green, bass; returning in 2007 and 2008, then Ullmann’s Clarinet Trio performed in west Michigan in 2010. Each memorable concert in that history was improvised and will never be heard again. Experiencing this music live is unlike anything you’ve ever heard in your life. Adventuremusic.org continues to present music at the highest level of creativity in the intimate, listener friendly concert environment of LaFontsee Galleries at 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI. Here’s hoping you’ll tell your friends about the explorations in sound occurring Sunday afternoons in Grand Rapids. This year’s series will include performances by Adam Rudolph, Hamid Drake, the Gary McCourry Saxophone Ensemble, the Matt Ulery large chamber jazz ensemble In the Ivory, and more. This concert is made possible in part by The Goethe Institute. Tickets are $20 in advance, $10 for students with a student I.D. and $25 at the door. Kids ages 12 and under are free. Advance tickets available only from www.adventuremusic.org . Please use the site to inquire about how you can insure the future of this series through a larger financial commitment. The phone number at LaFontsee Galleries is (616) 451 – 9820. LaFontsee Galleries is wheelchair accessible. To find LaFontsee Galleries please see, www.lafontsee.us/.

Last night Jazz From Blue Lake dug into the musical world of Dr. Lonnie Smith, including a 1975 session featuring Joe Lovano and George Bensonwailing on an "Impressions" variation. The premier organist opens the Indy Jazz Fest tonight. Hope you have time to catch Dr. Lonnie Smith via this link on Jazz From Blue Lake: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150910.mp3

http://localspins.com/tony-bennett-closes-meijer-gardens-series-by-stepping-out-with-jazz-standards-best-american-songs-ever-written/

September 1, 2015 The Jazz Datebook: Regular Hits: Mondays from 8 to 11 p.m. pianist/vocalist John Shea swings downtown Grand Rapids from the front window of The Republic, 45 South Division, Grand Rapids. With bassist Warren Jones III and drummer Fred Knapp, John presents a wide variety of jazz and songbook standards. www.republicgrandrapids.com. Mondays from 6 to 10 p.m., Fridays 7 – 11 p.m. and Saturdays 6-10 p.m. The What Not Inn features a revolving cast of local musicians each weekend and Mondays hosts a jam session open to musicians and vocalists. See the full schedule here: www.whatnotinn.com. The What Not Inn is located at M89 and the Blue Star Highway, 2405 68th Street, Fennville, MI. (269) 543-3341. Tuesdays, 7:30 – 10:30, there’s an open mic jazz jam session at The Grand, 22 Washington, Grand Haven, MI. (616) 847 – 8944. Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. The Tom Hagen Trio with vocalist Rick Reuther have been appearing at Notos Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids for more than 13 years, the longest continuous jazz hang in west Michigan. (616) 493 – 6686, or www.notosoldworld.com. Wednesdays, House of Music Entertainment at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, 49503, features jazz and blues. September 2, the Steve Talaga Trio (great jazz piano); 9-9, The Steve Hilger Jazz Fusion Project; 9-30 Evidence (straight ahead and Latin jazz); 10-7, The Steve Hilger Band; 10-21, the John Shea Trio. More from www.thebob.com/houseofmusic . Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday live piano jazz is heard from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mangiamo, 1033 Lake Drive S.E., Grand Rapids. Information from (616) 742 – 0600. www.thegilmorecollection.com. Thursdays at 7 p.m. a variety of jazz bands rotate the schedule at The Book Nook and Java Shop, 8744 Ferry Street in Montague. The last Thursday of the month belongs to trumpeter Brad Fritcher and Trios. See www.thebooknookjavashop.com and click on the calendar for Thursday night. Fridays, 7 p.m. the John Shea Trio plays at the J.W. Marriot Hotel, 235 Louis Street N.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 242 – 1448. Saturdays at 7:30, pianist John Shea leads his trio at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street S.E., Grand Rapids. See www.notosoldworld.com or call (616) 493 – 6686. Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. guitarist Greg Miller brings his 6-1-6 guitar concept to the J.W. Marriot Hotel, 235 Louis Street N.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 242 – 1448. Sundays, Randy Marsh’s Sunday Night Jazz Hang at The Speak EZ Lounge, 600 Monroe Avenue N.W., Grand Rapids, is a fun jam session. Information from (616) 458 – 2689. Student musicians under 21 with a parent or legal guardian will have a chance to play with Marsh from 7 to 9; the host trio plays from 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. www.speakezlounge.com. Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m. through the summer, pianist/vocalist John Shea leads his trio through the great American song book and jazz standards at New Holland Brewing Company, 66 E. 8th St., Holland. See www.newhollandbrew.com or phone (616) 355-6422. First Sunday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m. the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra plays Founders Brewing Company, 235 Grandville Avenue S.W., downtown Grand Rapids. The GRJO is the region’s premier professional jazz orchestra. Information from www.grjo.com. Timely Hits: Friday, September 4th through Monday, September 7thThe Detroit Jazz Festival takes place in downtown Detroit. Hundreds of concerts are scheduled, including four by artist in residence, Pat Metheny: Pat Metheny Trio with Antonio Sanchez, Scott Colley & special guest Kenny Garrett; Pat Metheny acoustic duo with bassist Ron Carter; Pat Metheny Reunion with Gary Burton Quartet; Pat Metheny, Scott Colley, Antonio Sanchez, and Danny Gottlieb with the Detroit Jazz Festival Big Band and String Orchestra, Conducted by Alan Broadbent, perform new works including the North American premiere of Metheny’s multi-movement/multi-media tribute to Eberhard Weber. More from www.detroitjazzfest.com. Thursday, September 3th through Sunday, September 6th, The Chicago Jazz Festival is held at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St, and Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. This year’s highlights include the Chicago Jazz Orchestra’s Billy Strayhorn Centennial Celebration, Art Hoyle Sextet’s tribute to Clark Terry, Jose James singing the music of Billie Holiday, and the re-union of Muhal Richard Abrams Experimental Band with Roscoe Mitchell, Henry Threadgill, Wadada Leo Smith and many others. See www.chicagojazzfestival.us. Thursday, September 3rd at 7 p.m. Robin Connell and Paul Brewer lead their band at Mill Point Park, 203 S. Cutler Street, Spring Lake, MI. Free. Friday, September 4th at 8 p.m. the Robin Connell Trio with drummer Paul B. Smith and bassist Chris Kjorness perform at Morat's Bakery 4747 First St, New Era, Michigan. Saturday, September 5th saxophonist Mike Frost leads his band called Project at the JW Marriott downtown GR, Mixology Lounge, 7 – 10 p.m., J.W. Marriot Hotel, 235 Louis Street N.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 242 – 1448. Saturday, September 5th at 7 p.m. the General Assemble Big Band, with vocalist Ginny Dusseau appears at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin. Saturday, September 5th at 8 p.m. Swingtooth plays Newaygo Brewing Co, 19 State Rd, Newaygo, Michigan 49337. Thursday, September 10th at 7:30 p.m. the Israeli singer/actress Ester Rada performs at Hope College’s Knickerbocker Theater, 86 E. 8th Street, Holland, MI. Rada credits Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin as her musical influences, alongside Eryka Badu, Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott. Tickets from (616) 395 – 7890. Thursday, September 10th at 9 p.m. organist Tony Monaco jams at Our Brewing Company, 76 E. 8th Street, Holland, MI. (616) 994 – 8417. See: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tony-monaco-mn0000013079. Thursday, September 10th at 7 in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, IN, the 10 day Indy Jazz Fest kicks off. Friday, September 11th, Dr. Lonnie Smith plays organ, among others. A full schedule is available from www.indygo.net. Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m. “Jazz in the Sanctuary” returns to Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids, with pianists Robin Connell and Paul Johnston, associate professor of jazz studies at Eastern Illinois University and a member of the jazz piano faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp. Tickets from (917) 846 – 2081 or ruthstein@gmail.com. Sunday, September 13th at 3 p.m. world flutist Gary Stroutsos with a quintet featuring woodwinds by Ken Morgan, world percussion and voice by Carolyn Koebel; vibraphonist Jim Cooper; and bassist Denis Shebukhov appear in “Woodwinds Without Boundaries” at Petter Wine Gallery Barn, 161 N. Blue Star Highway, Douglas MI. Information from kenmorganjazz@gmail.com or (269) 358 – 8028. Saturday, September 19th at 6 p.m. the Jim Cooper Quartet with trumpeter Dmitry Matheny at Saugatuck Brewing Company, 2948 Blue Star Highway, Douglas, MI. See: http://saugatuckbrewing.com/events/live-music-jim-cooper-trio/ . Sunday, September 20th at 3 p.m. the Gebhard Ullmann/Steve Swell Chicago Project with cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm and drummer/percussionist Michael Zerang open the new season of The Underground Series, curated by Blue Lake Public Radio’s own Lazaro Vega and made possible with support from www.adventuremusic.org, at LaFontsee Galleries, 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids. “Gebhard Ullmann is one of the finest improvising artist in the world today,” said pianist Paul Bley of the Berlin-based saxophonist/bass clarinetist. This concert is made possible in part by the Goethe Institute. Further explorations in sound are scheduled from The Gary McCourry Saxophone Ensemble, the Matt Ulery large chamber jazz ensemble In the Ivory, and a one of a kind meeting between percussionists Adam Rudolph and Hamid Drake. Information from (616) 451 – 9820 or www.lafontsee.us. Monday, September 21st at 6:30 p.m. the West Michigan Jazz Society launches their new Monday Night Jazz Series season at The Guest House, 638 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, with vocalist Patty Gayle and the Mark Kahny Trio. See www.wmichjazz.org.

http://www.yourclassical.org/programs/performance-today/episodes/2015/08/28 From Foley Schuler: Exciting news! As many of you know, Performance Today (nationally syndicated program, heard every evening at 5 on Blue Lake Public Radio) has, all summer long, featured great music inspired by distinctive American places. The final stop on PT's "Summer Road Trip" is none other than right here at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, home of Blue Lake Public Radio. Tonight's segment (airing toward the end of the 5 o'clock hour) will feature a recently commissioned piece by Timothy Mahr entitled "by blue lake, listening, dreaming," inspired by the camp and its beautiful setting in West Michigan's Manistee National Forest. See link below for further details...

This is an alert of the emergency swing system. This is an actual emergency: you are being directed to the nearest Lester Young recording session. This is not a test: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150827.mp3

Blue Lake Public Radio celebrated Wayne Shorter's 82nd lap around the sun by highlighting the recently released recordings by the Miles Davis's quintet live at the Newport Jazz Festival-NJF in 1966 and 67. We also took it "Out on Blue Lake" two hours in. Here's the 5 hour broadcast:http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150826.mp3

Last night's broadcast featuring the Italian trumpeter: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150820.mp3

He's called "The Father of the Tenor Saxophone." One of the giants of music, Coleman Hawkins was the primary model for how to play the tenor saxophone in jazz, Bud Freeman notwithstanding, until the arrival of Lester Young. Jazz From Blue Lake featured highlights of his long career, especially underscoring recordings made with fellow tenormen Ben Webster, John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. Here's a today only link to the broadcast: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150819.mp3

Ben Webster was one brilliant improvising artist, famous for his time in the 1940 era Duke Ellington Orchestra, especially his solo and writing for the saxophone section on "Cotton Tail." Last night Jazz From Blue Lake brought you Webster's music in the first part of each hour. Hope you can join us today only via our on-demand link:http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150818.mp3

Last evening Jazz From Blue Lake remembered bassist/bandleader/composer Charlie Haden on the anniversary of his birth. In the first part of each hour, we programmed his music with Ornette Coleman, Keith Jarrett and his Quartet West featuring Alan Broadbent. Here's hoping you have time to check it out. This link is temporary: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150806.mp3

Celebrating Louis Armstrong's 114 birthday last night on Jazz From Blue Lake: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150804.mp3 Not sure why the hyperlink isn't staying underlined the entire way through, so, please cut and paste.

Many recordings from www.nessarecords.com including the new concert recording. Here's a temporary link to the broadcast: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/18-1-20150803.mp3

Here's a temporary link to Jazz From Blue Lake's Wednesday evening broadcast celebrating the music of Steve Lacy on the Jazz Retrospective, plus his compositions played by Jorrit Dijkstra and The Whammies, and in the mix recent releases by Jack DeJohnette, Roscoe Mitchell and Wadada Leo Smith, among others: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150723.mp3

The Bad Plus are on tour with saxophonist Joshua Redman behind the release of their new album, a recording heard last night on Jazz From Blue Lake. Here's a temporary link to the 5 hour broadcast which includes music by Kneebody, Marc Cary and "Out on Blue Lake" two hours in featuring a new concert recording by Roscoe Mitchell honoring the late Fred Anderson on Nessa Records: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150722.mp3

Two hours in: http://199.176.235.218/ondemand/17-1-20150722.mp3