Steve Reynolds

Ideal Bread in thirty minutes First time to see Josh Sinton

Taking a crack at it is one thing. Succeeding is entirely something else. Why wouldn't you want to go out and find the musicians who kick ass and take names when they cover Monk?!?!?

I remember ( I'm very sure correctly) that it was simply the worst attempt at Monk I've ever heard Try ICP, Lacy, Available Jelly, Ellery Eskelin and numerous others first Please Btw - currently listening to Lacy's Quartet rip up Epistrophy Standing on a Whale Fishing for Minnows

The two different drummers I've seen with this band have played supplementary roles. Cleaver often takes that role plus that night was the first time the quintet played live. Methinks Nasheet takes the band to new heights. And last time with Mintz, the band was spectacular

This time with a different musician in the drum chair as has been the case with the three previous shows - from Gerald Cleaver to Billy Mintz to Billy Hart - now it will be the *great* Nasheet Waits Mat Maneri - viola Lucien Ban - piano Tony Malaby - tenor and soprano saxophones Bob Stewart - tuba Nasheet Waits - drums Two sets @ 9:00 & 10:30 Planes, trains, buses and automobiles are fine modes of transportation to see and hear this remarkable ensemble up close and personal. Get Ready to Receive Yourself

Watched a few clips of her last night. I really liked the duo with Corsano as well as the outdoor solo piece. I will keep my eyes and ears open for her. When I see Kevin, I'm going to place an order for a few of the newer Relative Pitch CD's.

From an overall worldwide standpoint, all of this exists I find the Hemingway Quintet recordings of the 90's the equivalent of anything ever recorded by anyone. I'm in an extreme minority on the issue as we know. I believe the current high level improvisors/bands are as great as any music in the past. And I love and grew up on listening to the legends. But since I started late and/or was born late, with jazz, I was never able to see Monk, Miles, Trane, Duke, etc live. But I've heard all the great legendary recordings. I'm listening now to Available Jelly - I think they are as great in their way as any of them

I wish they'd come over to the UK When Dunmall-Rogers-Sanders come here Or just send Edwards-Noble and I'll hook 'em up with Tony Malaby

Sounds awesome. I'm wondering if Atomic is playing anywhere near me this weekend In any event my first show for the year 2015 will be Saturday @ Greenwich House: Two bands starting @ 8:00 Andre Matos Quintet: Andre Matos: guitar Tony Malaby: tenor & soprano saxophones (my guess he brings both) Jacob Sacks: piano Eivind Opsvik: bass Billy Mintz: drums Jacob Sacks Quartet: Jacob Sacks: piano Mat Maneri: viola Eivind Opsvik: bass Billy Mintz: drums Sacks Quartet was first Sublime with the wonderous Mintz on brushes alone through the first half of the succinct 45 minute set. Then a piece without drums was that perfect combination of a bit of improvised playing with precise playing of the written music. Band heats up a bit - I know it's really really good when my wife is truly digging it. Mat is totally focused and blew my mind about twice - and within this framework, we were not going to hear the real intense uber Maneri - which is OK as he still fills up the room with his vibe and that sound..... Second band nice if not as gorgeous as the previous. Starts slowly with an attempt at a dirge followed by a bebopish piece that Malaby played like he loved it - but it didn't quite hit the mark as a whole. A couple of stronger pieces followed with Tony almost going Warne Marsh on us. Really extraordinary hearing him adapt to someone else's straighter music. Great oblique piece followed with Sacks inside and outside the piano. Jacob was extremely impressive in both bands - nothing wasted and knows his place and space in the music. Matos best on the last piece finally seeming to relax and find his sound in the room. My wife whispered to me that he is no Mary Halvoresen - but who is? Nice player who sticks to the traditional jazz guitar sound with a twist. His music has some potential but needs some seasoning. Nice night - great room for music is 46 Barrow Street I be there next Thursday for Ideal Bread +

Wow - maybe 4 or 5 of us seeing/hearing music tonight I'm fired up for the double bill with my two favorite NYC musicians

I've never heard him and since I've known I was going, I've deliberately not scoped out any of his playing beforehand. I do know all the other guys from live and on record - and all of them are between excellent and astounding. Plus last time I saw Billy Mintz he was superb

Just saw Atomic was @ shapeshifter this past Tuesday February 3rd. I could not have made it anyways.....

Sounds awesome. I'm wondering if Atomic is playing anywhere near me this weekend In any event my first show for the year 2015 will be Saturday @ Greenwich House: Two bands starting @ 8:00 Andre Matos Quintet: Andre Matos: guitar Tony Malaby: tenor & soprano saxophones (my guess he brings both) Jacob Sacks: piano Eivind Opsvik: bass Billy Mintz: drums Jacob Sacks Quartet: Jacob Sacks: piano Mat Maneri: viola Eivind Opsvik: bass Billy Mintz: drums

A favorite of mine. Thanks for the reminder. I need to either find my CD or even settle for the CD-R being offered on amazon

Herb is one of my faves I'm gonna get one of his newish trio records on not two I do have Genuine Fables - I also saw Smoker with Tchicai, Lane & Altschul many years ago The Knitting Factory

I'm gonna pick out one of the Jeb Bishop groups. He is a big favorite of mine on the trombone.

As I've been absolutely loving "March of Dimes" from BassDrumBone with Ray Anderson on trombone, Mark Helias on bass and Gerry Hemingway on drums, I was thinking about what other trios exist with simply brass plus bass/drums rhythm. I thought of Connie Bauer with Peter Kowald and Gunther (Baby) Sommer but little else. Of course it puts much pressure on the horn player - and initially I kinda want to hear a reed player - probably as that is what I'm accustomed to. As I was listening maybe my second time through March of Dimes - fwiw a great sounding recording - I even was thinking adding Ellery Eskelin would add something - but after a few spins, I have been really enjoying the unique open feel - as I did when I saw the great trio live a few years back. Any comments on people who have heard these trios - or any ideas/suggestions of others?

I've seen Cecil live twice First in the late 90's with a quartet including Dominic Duval and the soprano saxophonist and drummer I didn't like. Was the second set after Abdullah Ibrahim. Very odd double bill. Second time was very memorable - a duet with Tony Oxley @ Tonic maybe in 1999 or 2000.

show up at the Stone in September 2015? Hoping October so it is a bit cooler

Performing in Houston on May 7. I thought the US tours for the trio were done after last year? Any word if they be playing in NYC?!?!? I have only seen this listing: http://www.namelesssound.org/ Unlike Leeway, I did not see the trio last year although I did see all three of them on different occasions with other musicians. Besides Brotzmann - who I did not expect to see again any time soon - I expect to see Drake and Parker at least once or more this upcoming year.

Performing in Houston on May 7. I thought the US tours for the trio were done after last year? Any word if they be playing in NYC?!?!?

Very much enjoyed this. As a non-musician I was fascinated but often confused. After watching and listening to the whole thing, I was prompted to go watch and listen to numerous clips and performance of probably my favorite sort of improvisation (which was a large part of what you discussed), early European Free Improvisation. To my ears much of it is not based on much of what you spoke so eloquently about. No pulse, no scales, etc. So improvisation is not limited really in any way nor does it have rules of guidelines in many cases. Again, thanks for posting this

Scott - one day get to NY and we will go see Mary from less than 10 feet away. Last two times she was beyond incredible. 2 weeks ago with Jon Irabagon and Nasheet Waits. My wife loved her playing and her attitude. Her with the great drummer are an awesome pair.

I see and hear great new music live and on recordings quite often. Especially live - and fwiw, it's still jazz. This Friday if I could make it: Harris Eisenstadt/Michael Moore Then: Craig Taborn - Wurlitzer Mat Maneri - Viola Ches Smith - Drums Now they/someone needs to record these groups - especially the trio who have been very good to otherworldly the three times I've seen them. And it's new, fresh - twice free improv - the third time compositions by the drummer. Now with Taborn on electric!! Could be awesome!!! And it is without a doubt jazz - and no other trio sounds remotely like them!

Thanks for the write-ups!!! I love the ending, Leeway Glad that my guy was in fine form. Isn't Halvorsen amazing these days? I love your descriptions of the dudes who are all bound up. I have a hard time dealing with that sort of extreme restraint. Wail, baby!!!