Gebhard Ullmann/Steve Swell Chicago Project

[Lazaro Vega]

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20^TH 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/.

 

 

[king ubu]

great group!

they gave an amzing concert in Zurich several years back, for an audience of 13 ... bad timing (took place in the midst of various local festivals), but I guess even on a regular night there wouldn't have been more than three to four dozen people around ... nonetheless, they were wonderful!

[Lazaro Vega]

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