Steve Reynolds

Lotsa KV haters out there. Always been that way and always will. So I see in your viewpoint the Tentet when they played charts - some of which were Vandermark penned - was a minor venture. I understand personal taste and all that and I haven't been listening to this music for 40 or even 50 years but the two shows in the late 90's @ Tonic was not the least of anything. We all know the power of that band has never been transferred on record except to a minor extent on Stone/Water (recorded in Victoriaville - with Kondo added), but that band live at that time was as good as any band I've ever seen. Period. Were you there, Moms? Or did the presence of Vandermark and the use of his grant to put that band on the road sway you from attending any of those shows from the earlier tours of the band before they gave up on the written material? Fwiw, giving up on the charts in my mind was a big disappointment - this was one of the inviting aspects of that original Chicago Octet/Tentet/Tentet plus 1 or 2. Brotzmann with Fred Hopkins and Rashied Ali on Songlines another powerhouse record. Brotzmann is Sui Generis and sounds great with a variety of great drummers.

I've known about it but I've never heard it. Thanks for the compliment. I used to be too much of an asshole critical type. Some may still think I'm an asshole, but I am who I am. No apologies for being someone who when I hear and see greatness that I voice my opinion. A few people said I would never be able to continue to be enthusiastic about the music I love for this long. I'm glad I continue to support my favorite musicians. Always a Pleasure

No Drake solo recordings as far as I know. Duets with Michael Zerang exist as do duets with William Parker Best recordings, IMO, to hear him like it was live might be: DKV trio Live in Wels and Chicago - 2 great shows from 1998, Blue Winter (trio with WP & Fred Anderson) which has Drake in prime recorded sound with Anderson and Parker at their relaxed best. Of course Trigonomtry is DKV live from the 2001 tour recorded right before and after I saw them - 2 wonderous shows with the Don Cherry inspired music plus an amazing run up to Take The Coltrane where Drakes groove explodes the world. The Quartet of Fred Anderson, Kidd Jordan, WP and Hamid can be heard to great effect on 2 Days in April. That band live at that time (~ 1999) had people literally dancing in the aisles when they played @ Vision Fest I think in 2000. I've never seen anything like it before or since. Plus to hear the band you heard last night plus the amazing Toshinoro Kondo on trumpet/effects/genius - which is the orginal Die Like a Dog quartet - there are 4 titles on FMP. But alas Drake is not captured as well as he is on the above or below recordings. Best bargain is the recent William Parker Wood Flute Songs 8 CD box with the Parker quartet (WP, HD with Rob Brown & Lewis Barnes) plus added musicians on 4 of the 8 discs. Priced economically. I got mine for $60 at the quartet shows @ The Stone last fall and I play most of the discs quite often. Uli may know of a solo recording I guess I'm getting fired up for June 15th and I just ordered my tickets for my wife and I. Fwiw, my wife fell in love with a few drummers the last few years - bit no one for her compares to Hamid Drake. Well Nasheet is almost there, but he is wonderful and extremely exciting to watch and hear, but Drake is Drake. As an old friend from the old board once said, he could listen to Drake play with even the guy next door. Blues for Tomorrow, baby

I haven't bought a Braxton CD in ages - specifically a newer recording. I wavered on buying the duet 4 CD set with Hemingway (Old Dogs) I think I will order this one

A bit upset that I will NOT see the trio @ Vision Fest on Thursday 6/12 BUT I will see the *Great* Hamid Drake in TWO bands the last night of Vision Fest on Sunday 6/15. Nothing can ever rival the sound/effect/vibe of Hamid Drake @ The Stone from the first or second row BUT up front @ Roulette the last couple of years has been very special indeed. Well the only experiences that I've had with seeing Hamid Drake that were just as special were with the original, phenomenon that was the chart reading Brotzmann Chicago Tentet twice at the Stone plus the DKV trio on 3/27/01 @ Tonic as well which remains one of the most cathartic experiences I've ever experienced seeing and hearing a drummer. The penultimate grooves of Drake and the trio playing improvised music based on snippets/themes of Don Cherry/Joe McPhee and bits of great lines from others. So glad u all are loving seeing the legendary trio

Deep River is a real good one, fwiw

I was in the center of the front row last night with my wife, who enjoyed it much more than she anticipated. As an Andrew Hill fan and a hopelessly amateur bassist, I was ecstatic that a trip to New York coincided with the festival and allowed me to finally see Richard Davis perform (and speak). It was also my first time seeing Andrew Cyrille (and in a variety of contexts!), Ted Daniel, Oliver Lake, Grachan Moncur III and Pheeroan akLaff, among others. Some thoughts on a few of the sets and some of the musicians involved: Tarbaby - I'd only seen Nasheet Waits before and haven't heard much of Lake. I was struck by Lake's huge sound on alto and his variety of tonal textures. Waits had such a light, dancing feeling to his playing that it sounded like Roy Haynes playing out. He's definitely a chip off the old block, and I'm sure his father would be delighted to hear him (I know I was). Richard Davis/Aska Kaneko/Angelica Sanchez/Andrew Cyrille: This was one of the more abstract sets of the night and one of two that were freely improvised. I was surprised to see Davis play almost exclusively arco during this set, and his bass blended well with Kaneko's violin. A favorite moment for me was when Angelica Sanchez was plucking the piano's strings while Davis and Kaneko bowed (Kaneko was plucking at some point as well during the set) and Cyrille laid down a nice groove. Kaneko also has a pleasant singing voice; I was disappointed that she didn't have CDs for sale. Davis, not content to rest on his laurels, was quite unpredictable and unorthodox; it was a special thing to see him pushing himself and the rest of the group with his provocative bowing and his expansive approach as a bassist. Grachan Moncur III - I believe it was a septet. The only downside to the set was that, given the time constraints and the size of the ensemble, they were limited to one tune. Like the earlier surprise of Richard Davis focusing on arco, which he also did throughout the vast majority of the Moncur set, I was surprised to see that Moncur didn't play any trombone. He instead tabbed Alfred Patterson for trombone duties. I was impressed with Patterson, who had a double bell on his trombone that he did a bit of a call and response with. Ted Daniel played a gorgeous solo divided between muted and open trumpet. Having heard him on a Billy Bang album, I bought two of his albums before the music even started, and I'm glad that I did. He deserves a much higher profile. Vernon Reid/Pheeroan akLaff/Melvin Gibbs - This was pure, unadulterated fun, with the band rocking out on tunes by Ronald Shannon Jackson and Sonny Sharrock. I'm more familiar with Living Colour's drummer, Will Calhoun, but Reid was pretty interesting. akLaff was grinning ear to ear during this set and after the concert. Tomeka Reid/Beatrice Capote/Andrew Cyrille - Reid had an astounding feature on 'God Bless the Child' that drew from Dolphy's bass-clarinet interpretations of the song. Although I was hoping that she was somehow related to Rufus Reid, I think that she might just be another remarkably gifted string musician who happens to share the same last name. Capote, a non-tap dancer, added a visual element that proved to be not the least distracting and positively impacted the overall set; Cyrille was totally locked onto her throughout. His sensitivity and versatility within the different contexts of the night confirmed my earlier belief that he is one of the truly great drummers. The Sound of Freedom Ensemble - Despite the late start to the night's music and the size of the ensemble, they played a relatively long set that included Dolphy's 'Hat and Beard'. I haven't looked through the whole program, but I'd be interested to know more about the previously unperformed and/or unrecorded Dolphy composition(s) that they played. James Brandon Lewis, who recently released an album on Okeh, is a muscular player whom I'd like to hear at greater length; I think that he was the only tenor saxophonist of the night and was probably the youngest musician on the stand. Pheeroan akLaff deserves a lot of credit for pulling off such a varied, thoughtfully programmed tribute to Dolphy. I hope that it was a successful fundraiser, and I'd like to see it get released at some point. It sounds like they want to make this a yearly event, so I'm looking forward to seeing where they take it. Next time we need to say hello, Justin Yes, Andrew Cyrille is one the great ones plus he was the coolest dude in the room on Saturday and his playing maybe especially with fine cellist and dancer was extraordinary

And if he's not an addict, if he's just one of them Get High For Fun Boys, then the actions that led to his result are those of a really dumb, common motherfucker who happens to be a good trumpet player. Or more to the point - as the means of provisioning criminal behaviors to the customer base desirous of same become increasingly sophisticated in terms of discretion and anonymity (to say nothing of the integration with the societal units contractually charged with enforcing the laws regarding these same behaviors) , it rather...urgently behooves the consumer of such behaviors to follow suit, unless and until said customer decides to an irrevocable point of certainty that their needs are better served through other means. For sure. It certainly it is the smart or cogent or reasonable thing to do for an addict to follow direction of other addicts who are in recovery and have a pretty cool blueprint that is simple enough and wide ranging enough for any addict to follow no matter what their background, choices of drug(s), circumstance(s), fame, lack of fame, race, sexual preference, belief in god or not, political viewpoint(or not) or whatever. I know hopeful 25 year old Rock Star dude with real possibilities who was in jail 6 years ago guys who is clean 5 years and retired janitors who are clean. And many others who are clean. But many many more are not clean. The reality is that very few addicts get clean AND stay clean for any significant period of time. That is the reality. I wish it wasn't the case. The reality is that I took responsibility for the total and absolute wreckage that was my life and took responsibility for my recovery. I owe no more. I am an asset to my community and my family when I was once simply a leech and a burden. Plus I've been able to buy back some if the music I sold in 2003. 20 box sets including 5 Miles boxes and about 10 Mosaics - all sold in a month. Plus about 500 other discs - again all gone in a month - and most at 10c on the dollar. Not planned. Not happy after the drugs ran out. I thought there was no way out. First step is that person or any person who appears to others around them that there is a problem is that the actual person themselves needs to get honest with themselves that they have a problem and self diagnose themselves as a drug addict. It's a very hard thing to do unless that person is desparate and maybe believes they cannot live with or without drugs.

When we are using we sometimes think we are fucking brilliant and invincible. For some to get clean and stay clean, one of the most important ingredients is to realize that we are not equipped to manage our lives while using. To think a true using drug addict plans and manages and might be true on the outside as I also know many who never got arrested or ever lost jobs, etc. - but those are a small minority. The answer for a guy like Roy Hargrove if he is an addict has nothing to do with learning or hoping not to cop on the street at 4:30 in the AM. If he is an addict and continues to use, he isn't gonna get any better at using or any smarter. It only gets worse.Perfectly stated, my friend. I currently work in a substance abuse rehab, and see example after example to reinforce what you have stated. It's incredibly complicated. And it consumes some really good people...Yes it is but it is incredibly simple to get and stay clean Also the hardest thing I've ever done. I have often been less direct about my past and I do post under my own real name so I choose to break anonymity but I don't get specific about how I've been able to keep drugs out of my system for quite a few years now. But the message I have is to try to not judge guys like Roy Hargrove or whoever we might know that us suffering or dying. It's a bitch to treat this disease as it's self diagnosed and it is a disease that tells us that it isn't a disease or we can just drink a couple or smoke a joint of just hang out like all you other cool dudes. But it is liar and a thief. I heard from a very wise old time addict who is clean now 28 years. It takes one thing to stay clean. Everything you got. If any addict thinks they know how to stay clean without the help of those who actually know how to stay clean or they think they can use different drugs or think alcohol isn't a drug for them, they are doomed. Every time. I see and hear it every Monday night when I'm in the rehab at the local county jail or when I go to the 21 day rehab at the local county hospital or the detox at that same county hospital. Very sad but it keeps me in touch of my past. Some of my best friends are in the grips if active addiction and there is nothing I can of to help them. And they had been clean in some cases over 5 or 10 of 15 years. Some of the best people I've ever met. Some smart / a brilliant guitarist I know is back clean 120 days today - and he's been clean 6 years twice and also in prison in between. A brilliant passionate guy. But he struggles with life and when he uses, very bad things happen despite his intellect and good intentions. So the idea that Roy Hargrove, if he is an addict, can manage his life while using? Maybe on the outside he can get his shit together better - for a while - often we get our shit together for a while - but inside using drugs for an addict is a slow or fast trip to the grave.

When we are using we sometimes think we are fucking brilliant and invincible. For some to get clean and stay clean, one of the most important ingredients is to realize that we are not equipped to manage our lives while using. To think a true using drug addict plans and manages and might be true on the outside as I also know many who never got arrested or ever lost jobs, etc. - but those are a small minority. The answer for a guy like Roy Hargrove if he is an addict has nothing to do with learning or hoping not to cop on the street at 4:30 in the AM. If he is an addict and continues to use, he isn't gonna get any better at using or any smarter. It only gets worse. Yes brilliant intellectually for sure just as in the population as a whole. Ability to manage their lives? Very little - see how most addicts end up. The vast majority die from the damages from active addiction.

How about the last few seconds when Grant is just hitting the groove and it's over.....?!?!?

Of the bands we saw last night, three in the middle stood out. Tarbaby featuring Oliver Lake were fine starting with Dolphy's Fire Waltz The easy highlight was a quartet featuring Richard Davis. Cyrille was subtly wonderous and the violinist I never heard of, Aska Taneka was spectacular playing and with some gorgeous vocalizing.Angelica Sanchez was her brilliant self. A fully improvised 45 minutes with the legendary bassist sticking with the bow save for one short passage. Genius level improvising from Mr. Davis My wife and I were blessed to be there.

When it's 4:00 in the morning, we do anything for a hit You're not them anymore, Steve. This be true but I have an understanding that I could be there once again. I have empathy for those in the grips of active drug addiction

When it's 4:00 in the morning, we do anything for a hit

Another beautiful guy is Joe McPhee. My wife and I sat next to him for Han Bennink's 70th birthday concert @ Columbia University. He could not have been more gracious

I will meet and see him live for the first time tonight I have to add a special mention to both Fred Anderson and Edward "Kidd" Jordan I will never forget Mr. Anderson making sure I got a cab ride back to the hotel in a blizzard in 1999 from the Velvet Lounge.

The nicest musicians I've met include the following: Hamid Drake, Joe Maneri, Han Bennink, Michael Moore, Ellery Eskelin, Marty Ehrlich, Reggie Workman, Cooper-Moore, Randy Peterson and Evan Parker Of course I'm biased regarding Tony Malaby and Mat Maneri....

Nice show. 2 long involved pieces. 11 people attended - the avant garde is still a tough sell out here in the provinces. The musicians couldn't have been more gracious. Did Ingrid play both tenor and soprano? I sure wish more would be listening but as they say it is what it is I'm also wondering if Rainey at times ever ended up in one of his super off kilter grooves? I love it when he gets to that place. One of the reasons is that when it happens it happens organically without any roadmap Played both tenor & soprano. Rainey had a bag full of drum sticks that at one point he smacked from drum to drum. Also rather amazing cymbal work. I loved it. Even my wife said "that was pretty good". My wife has become a big fan of the jazz drummers I like. Her favorites are Hamid Drake and Nasheet Waits. Although when Nasheet filled in once for Tom Rainey with Open Loose, she was upset that she didn't hear what she liked from Rainey. She likes Rainey except that she thinks he's grumpy - which he may be when he's not with Ingrid!!! But what she really likes Rainey for is when he rocks out in those mysterious grooves. I think he is as fascinating a drummer as there is as he is totally unpredictable and the musical results on one night with the same partners/collaborators can differ mightily. Happy that tomorrow my wife will see Nasheet so usually that means she will be in a good mood!!!

Finalized. I be there tomorrow by 6:00 or so

Nice show. 2 long involved pieces. 11 people attended - the avant garde is still a tough sell out here in the provinces. The musicians couldn't have been more gracious. Did Ingrid play both tenor and soprano? I sure wish more would be listening but as they say it is what it is I'm also wondering if Rainey at times ever ended up in one of his super off kilter grooves? I love it when he gets to that place. One of the reasons is that when it happens it happens organically without any roadmap

I wish I could drive you Rita. Current plan is we go only on Saturday leaving to he there probably around 6:00. Finalizing plans tonight with wavering wife. It's 20 minutes from where I live, but previous afternoon plans are running into the late afternoon - I would love to hear the panel but the musicians playing after make it insane not to drop by for the music.

I want the Clifford Jordan set but of course it's not on sale

The In Order to Survive show from 2012 on the William Parker Wood Flute Songs box set

I saw Ivo over a decade ago and I remember Michael Wimberly ruined the set. No space or feel for what the tenorman was going for

Back in the day, I ate up a few Ivo records - some real good ones are Sad Life with WP & Rashied Ali, Seeds Vision and Counterpoint with Dominic Duval and I think Jay Rosen. The latter is exceptionally intense and has that buzz that Leeway is speaking of. Also great is Siero with a quartet that includes Thomas Ulrich on cello. Very very fine For me I need a drummer to push him and other voices that might be more intricate and nuanced to play off his pure sound approach. Tough job for a saxophonist to match Mat one on one but who knows.