What live music are you going to see tonight?

[Chuck Nessa]

Paal Nilssen-Love, drums and Jon Rune Strøm, bass.

Swell should be a good partner for Frode.

We plan on catching them next week in Chicago at Constellation.

Edited November 14, 2014 by Chuck Nessa

[Steve Reynolds]

Paal Nilssen-Love, drums and Jon Rune Strøm, bass.

Swell should be a good partner for Frode.

We plan on catching them next week in Chicago at Constellation.

I missed the trio a couple of years back when I had to leave before their set in Brooklyn when my wife wasn't feeling well.

I did see a great quartet set with Travis Laplante, Mat Maneri, Michael Formanek and Randy Peterson

I really wanted to hear Nilssen-Love directly after hearing Randy blow the roof off I Beam in the 8:00 set.

Edited November 14, 2014 by Steve Reynolds

[Leeway]

I saw that Frode / PNL/ and Strom trio a couple of years ago in Baltimore, and they kicked ass. They also brought a ton of CDs and vinyl with them, so bring some cash.

[jeffcrom]

I saw that Frode / PNL/ and Strom trio a couple of years ago in Baltimore, and they kicked ass. They also brought a ton of CDs and vinyl with them, so bring some cash.

I figured that would be the case. And Papa Jazz Records, one of the southeast's great record stores, is in Columbia. Financially, I'm screwed on this trip.

[Chuck Nessa]

[colinmce]

I doubt they're coming near here, and I wouldn't be able to make it anyways, but I wonder how you heard about these dates, Jeff?

[jeffcrom]

I doubt they're coming near here, and I wouldn't be able to make it anyways, but I wonder how you heard about these dates, Jeff?

I'm on the email list of Conundrum Music Hall, a tiny, but adventurous little venue in Columbia.

Edited November 14, 2014 by jeffcrom

[relyles]

Tonight - Myra Melford-Ben Goldberg duo at Firehouse 12 in New Haven.

[mjazzg]

Brotzmann, Noble, Adasiewicsz at Cafe Oto tonight

[Steve Reynolds]

I doubt they're coming near here, and I wouldn't be able to make it anyways, but I wonder how you heard about these dates, Jeff?

I'm on the email list of Conundrum Music Hall, a tiny, but adventurous little venue in Columbia.

Very much look forward to hearing your impressions of the band

[Chuck Nessa]

I doubt they're coming near here, and I wouldn't be able to make it anyways, but I wonder how you heard about these dates, Jeff?

I think they played at the All Ways Lounge in NOLA last night.

[colinmce]

So they did. Like I said, no chance I could've made it, but damn. One of these days... (years?)

[JSngry]

Tomorrow (Saturday night), Plano Symphony Orchestra http://planosymphony.org/concerts/14-15/3-rite.asp

Stravinsky: Rite of Spring

Brahms: Violin Concerto

HECTOR GUZMAN, CONDUCTOR
Emanuel Borok, violin

One way or another, this is going to be interesting. Hopefully it will be interesting in the good (enough) way.

[Chuck Nessa]

Attended a lovely solo recital by James Falzone tonight.

[BFrank]

Thursday at the Fillmore: Drive-By Truckers, Sturgill Simpson

[jeffcrom]

I doubt they're coming near here, and I wouldn't be able to make it anyways, but I wonder how you heard about these dates, Jeff?

I'm on the email list of Conundrum Music Hall, a tiny, but adventurous little venue in Columbia.

Very much look forward to hearing your impressions of the band

That's funny, because I had already decided to post a Steve Reynolds-style report.

Conundrum is a tiny little hall, but it was packed - which means about 50 people. Frode's suitcase didn't make it onto his flight, so he was wearing a University of South Carolina t-shirt he had picked up. The band hit at full force; after about five minutes textures started evolving. "Full force" was very exciting; the phrase that occurred to me was that the music swung on the molecular level. I'm not sure that actually means anything, but that's what popped into my head. Gjerstad and the trio have great rapport, and Steve Swell did indeed fit in very well. Melodic leads changed hands, instrumentation and textures kept changing, and everyone listened and responded to each other at a high level.

The difference between Gjerstad's alto playing and clarinet playing is interesting. On alto, he's abstract, but very melodic; on clarinet, he's even more abstract - he almost never played a "regular" note on clarinet. It was almost entirely multiphonics, overblown sounds, etc. And I have been to enough free jazz concerts that I thought I had seen it all in terms of bass technique, but Strom came up with some stuff I had never seen/heard before, like "bowing" with the palm of his hand.

Frode had good things to say about Chuck, and is very pleased to be on the Nessa label. Anyway, it was great show.

[Leeway]

Tonight - Myra Melford-Ben Goldberg duo at Firehouse 12 in New Haven.

Nice one.

Brotzmann, Noble, Adasiewicsz at Cafe Oto tonight

Yes!

I doubt they're coming near here, and I wouldn't be able to make it anyways, but I wonder how you heard about these dates, Jeff?

I'm on the email list of Conundrum Music Hall, a tiny, but adventurous little venue in Columbia.

Very much look forward to hearing your impressions of the band

That's funny, because I had already decided to post a Steve Reynolds-style report.

Conundrum is a tiny little hall, but it was packed - which means about 50 people. Frode's suitcase didn't make it onto his flight, so he was wearing a University of South Carolina t-shirt he had picked up. The band hit at full force; after about five minutes textures started evolving. "Full force" was very exciting; the phrase that occurred to me was that the music swung on the molecular level. I'm not sure that actually means anything, but that's what popped into my head. Gjerstad and the trio have great rapport, and Steve Swell did indeed fit in very well. Melodic leads changed hands, instrumentation and textures kept changing, and everyone listened and responded to each other at a high level.

The difference between Gjerstad's alto playing and clarinet playing is interesting. On alto, he's abstract, but very melodic; on clarinet, he's even more abstract - he almost never played a "regular" note on clarinet. It was almost entirely multiphonics, overblown sounds, etc. And I have been to enough free jazz concerts that I thought I had seen it all in terms of bass technique, but Strom came up with some stuff I had never seen/heard before, like "bowing" with the palm of his hand.

Frode had good things to say about Chuck, and is very pleased to be on the Nessa label. Anyway, it was great show.

Sounds like it turned out to be worth the drive. Since you didn't mention him, what were your impressions of PNL drumming?

[Steve Reynolds]

Thanks for the comments, Jeff

I'm kinda dyin for a live show - nothing for me for all of November - that hasn't happened in a while - next possibility 12/8 (Fred Frith Trio) or 12/13 Malaby trio with Hebert & Mintz) next sure bet 12/27 is Open Loose - record release as it says a new CD on Intakt(!!!)

Good news - at least 3 great shows @ Greenwich House in January/February:

Joe Morris quartet with Mat Maneri, Chris Lightcap & Gerald Cleaver - 1/22/15

Andre Matos Quintet with Tony Malaby and then Jacob Saks Quartet with Mat Maneri 2/7/15

Then Ideal Bread + Outhead (another band with Josh Sinton) on 2/12/15 - I need to see Josh Sinton live - very excited for this show

[Chuck Nessa]

I doubt they're coming near here, and I wouldn't be able to make it anyways, but I wonder how you heard about these dates, Jeff?

I'm on the email list of Conundrum Music Hall, a tiny, but adventurous little venue in Columbia.

Very much look forward to hearing your impressions of the band

That's funny, because I had already decided to post a Steve Reynolds-style report.

Conundrum is a tiny little hall, but it was packed - which means about 50 people. Frode's suitcase didn't make it onto his flight, so he was wearing a University of South Carolina t-shirt he had picked up. The band hit at full force; after about five minutes textures started evolving. "Full force" was very exciting; the phrase that occurred to me was that the music swung on the molecular level. I'm not sure that actually means anything, but that's what popped into my head. Gjerstad and the trio have great rapport, and Steve Swell did indeed fit in very well. Melodic leads changed hands, instrumentation and textures kept changing, and everyone listened and responded to each other at a high level.

The difference between Gjerstad's alto playing and clarinet playing is interesting. On alto, he's abstract, but very melodic; on clarinet, he's even more abstract - he almost never played a "regular" note on clarinet. It was almost entirely multiphonics, overblown sounds, etc. And I have been to enough free jazz concerts that I thought I had seen it all in terms of bass technique, but Strom came up with some stuff I had never seen/heard before, like "bowing" with the palm of his hand.

The complete tour courtesy of Frode's site:

13th new orleans @ the ALLWAYS LOUNGE,

14th columbia @ the conondrum music hall,

15th charlotte @ the McColl Center,

16th ashville @ the Mothlight ,

17th lexington @ mecca dance studio,

18th cleveland @ Mahalls bowling alley,

19th chicago @ constellation,

20th detroit @ Trinosophes ,

21st kalamazoo @ Satellite Records ,

22nd milwaukee @ the Sugar Maple,

23rd edmonton @ the Yardbird suite ,

24th montreal @ Casa del Popolo

We bring many CDs and LPs for good prices….

We will catch them in Chicago and maybe more.

[TedR]

Thanks for the tour schedule Chuck. I see that Steve Swell is joining the trio. I'll make a point of seeing them here in Cleveland (Lakewood, Ohio actually) on Tuesday night.

Edited to say I just read Jeff's summary that mentions Steve Swell. Looking forward to the concert.

Edited November 16, 2014 by TedR

[jeffcrom]

Sounds like it turned out to be worth the drive. Since you didn't mention him, what were your impressions of PNL drumming?

There were a few more things I wanted to say in my post, but my wife was rushing me out the door to go to dinner with some friends.

Nilssen-Love's drumming was powerful and complex, but also very responsive to what the other musicians were doing. I was very impressed. I bought a CD from him - his duet with Brotzmann.

I also enjoyed Swell's playing more than the brief mention above would indicate - he has a large palette of sounds, and knew just when to change sonorities. I assume he's got a good instrument repairman, because several times he went out to 7th position and shook the horn in a way that must be hell on the slide. It was a cool sound, though.

I sat with a bass-playing friend who was amazed by how good Strom sounded, even though some aspects of his playing were "wrong" technically. He plans on stealing some of the techniques.

And this has nothing to do with the concert, but I stayed in that friend's barn outside of Columbia. He and his wife have built an apartment over their barn that's amazing. Great views, an iPod (with Von Freeman, Lucinda Williams, and lots of cool music), good beer in the fridge, and interesting art on the walls. So, yes, it was a great trip for a lot of reasons.

[A Lark Ascending]

The Dedication Orchestra - Queen Elizabeth Hall. Some of the musicians who have been there for most of my music listening life - Louis Moholo-Moholo, Keith and Julie Tippett, Ray Warleigh, Henry Lowther, Evan Parker and a bunch of Loose Tubers; plus people I've come to admire more recently like John Edwards,Jason Yarde, Maggie Nichols, Steve Beresford - all whipping up a storm playing the music of The Blue Notes. Most of the two CDs they made in the 90s but an excellent new arrangement by Alex Hawkins (who conducted too). Sat almost directly behind Tippett I was again struck by how individual his style of accompaniment was. And I'm sure that was Courtney Pine lapping it up in the audience just in front of me.

Really good to meed Mark (mjazzg) again and chew the fat on our ludicrous musical obsessions over an excellent lunch (he's the man to ask if you are in London and want to know where to eat!). ['Guillermo Klein' by the way, Mark!]

John Surman and the Bergen Big Band (King's Place) - first half was a bit slow and disjointed. Karin Krog has always been a 'best in small doses' voice for me and it's well past its peak, so the three or so vocal standards were a bit distracting (although I did like the duet she did with hubby playing 'In A Sentimental Mood' on baritone...her wayward pitching wasn't so evident without the chordal accompaniment of the band). Part two was superb - John Warren came on to conduct a marvellous piece he wrote for Surman called 'Windy Kent' and then an excellent sequence of new pieces from a new CD. Surman ebullient throughout - you don't imagine such a jolly fellow from the often moody music he writes. Concert ended with a beautiful version of 'J.J. Johnson's 'Lament' with Krog again, in memory of a recently departed band member.

Edited November 16, 2014 by A Lark Ascending

[RogerF]

The Dedication Orchestra - Queen Elizabeth Hall. Some of the musicians who have been there for most of my music listening life - Louis Moholo-Moholo, Keith and Julie Tippett, Ray Warleigh, Henry Lowther, Evan Parker and a bunch of Loose Tubers; plus people I've come to admire more recently like John Edwards,Jason Yarde, Maggie Nichols, Steve Beresford - all whipping up a storm playing the music of The Blue Notes. Most of the two CDs they made in the 90s but an excellent new arrangement by Alex Hawkins (who conducted too). Sat almost directly behind Tippett I was again struck by how individual his style of accompaniment was. And I'm sure that was Courtney Pine lapping it up in the audience just in front of me.

Really good to meed Mark (mjazzg) again and chew the fat on our ludicrous musical obsessions over an excellent lunch (he's the man to ask if you are in London and want to know where to eat!). ['Guillermo Klein' by the way, Mark!]

I was there too Bev! Sorry we didn't meet up. A terrific concert and as I was sitting in the back row but one I only identified around 2/3 of the musicians. I think I saw Chris Biscoe and definitely saw Julian Arguelles and Mark Lockheart in the horn section and also Chris Batchelor on trupet. Also thought I might have glimpsed Mark Charig but only as they all left the stage! I think Clevaland Watkiss was one of the four vocalists in the back row. Really great concert and probably my gig of the year.

Edited November 16, 2014 by RogerF

[A Lark Ascending]

Yes, Mark suggested it was Marc Charig. Don't think I've seen him since Isipingo in 1977!

Think you were right on the others.

Was the chap sitting next to Julie Tippets Claude Deppa?

Who were the trombonists who did that great duet early on?

[mjazzg]

The Dedication Orchestra - Queen Elizabeth Hall. Some of the musicians who have been there for most of my music listening life - Louis Moholo-Moholo, Keith and Julie Tippett, Ray Warleigh, Henry Lowther, Evan Parker and a bunch of Loose Tubers; plus people I've come to admire more recently like John Edwards,Jason Yarde, Maggie Nichols, Steve Beresford - all whipping up a storm playing the music of The Blue Notes. Most of the two CDs they made in the 90s but an excellent new arrangement by Alex Hawkins (who conducted too). Sat almost directly behind Tippett I was again struck by how individual his style of accompaniment was. And I'm sure that was Courtney Pine lapping it up in the audience just in front of me.

Really good to meed Mark (mjazzg) again and chew the fat on our ludicrous musical obsessions over an excellent lunch (he's the man to ask if you are in London and want to know where to eat!). ['Guillermo Klein' by the way, Mark!]

I was there too Bev! Sorry we didn't meet up. A terrific concert and as I was sitting in the back row but one I only identified around 2/3 of the musicians. I think I saw Chris Biscoe and definitely saw Julian Arguelles and Mark Lockheart in the horn section and also Chris Batchelor on trupet. Also thought I might have glimpsed Mark Charig but only as they all left the stage! I think Clevaland Watkiss was one of the four vocalists in the back row. Really great concert and probably my gig of the year.

Yes Roger, I wondered whether that was Mark Charig, after all there aren't too many horn players around. Also took it to be Watkiss but neither Bev or I could ID the second male vocalist. I checked for a line up on the sbc site but no luck.

Bev says it all really about the gig. I was particularly moved by the Wheeler arrangement of Pukwana's 'Be my dear' - the first Kenny I'd heard live since his death and the instantly recognisable style really brought home what we've lost but also what we've got to keep. Ray Warleigh's solo (he's on one of those LPs Bev) on this tune was a highlight too. On a lighter note, Julie Tippetts and Maggie Nichols' enthusiasm and lighthearted messing about on the back row brought to mind the naughty kids at the back of a school class. Their vocal contributions were peerless. That Courtney Pine was in the audience did make me woner how ideal he'd've been on the stage. Always enjoy seeing the Evan P ina horn section of a big band as it always seems somewhat incongruous. Great gig all round that really brought home the enduring legacy of those visitors from SA 50 years ago

Yes, Mark suggested it was Marc Charig. Don't think I've seen him since Isipingo in 1977!

Think you were right on the others.

Was the chap sitting next to Julie Tippets Claude Deppa?

Who were the trombonists who did that great duet early on?

Some cross posting going on here. I think the more exuberant of the duelling bone players was Alan Tomlinson. That's a good call on Deppa - he was mentioned on the website and he wasn't any of the others so by amazing powers of deduction....