Sunday 5/15: l.e.s/e.v.Large groups mixing composition and improvisation are so very linked with the personality, perspectives, and dreams of the leader, thus the artistic results and experiences are starkly different between independent groups. It’s hard to find 2 big groups that sound this unique, while going in different directions with this, within a few blocks, on the same night. Needless to say the musicians involved make the endeavor a personal reality in its own right, making the it become whatever it is it is. Only in Nueva York:
7pm @ ABC no Rio (156 Rivington Street) with Evan Gallagher. My old friend Evan has once again gathered a cast of 14 musicians to attempt tackling his ever new compositions. The old Abc no Rio is going to face a total facelift really soon, so this is likely the last time he’ll conduct his pursuits here for quite a while. Gaetano Daga was a composer who resided in the building in the 1800’s, one tune we’re performing is a derangement of one of his pieces. It’s always special playing with Evan, this time even more so for me, as he totally out of left field and on his own accord wrote music around a “poem” of mine (only sent to a short list of friends a while back), called Vultures also floss, set to premier this night. First time anything like that has ever happened to me! Honored. The instrumentation is 5 reeds, 2 brass, 2 electric guitars, 1 electric bass, & 2 percussions. 5 spot admission.
+ 9pm @ NuBlu with 12 Houses (62 Avenue C) On that same night I’ll move over to Nublu for a set with 12 Houses that has a residency there every Sunday night. This is also a large group of musicians featuring voice, horns, strings, drums, led by Matt Lavelle who organizes the band, selects themes for certain nights as well as originals from the 12 Houses song book. Lately it’s been politically charged and honoring different masters of music. Tonight it’s music by Ornette Coleman! 10 bucks, nice bar.
Thursday 5/19 11pm @ NuBlu 62 Avenue C with Jeremy Danneman’s band, $10. Jeremy is an alto and baritone sax player who has done a few unusual things. Through/as his organization Parade of One (http://www.paradeofone.wordpress) he has travelled to Rwanda, southeast Asia and other places forming good bonds with musicians and people there, and he has brought artists (with way too much bureaucratic struggle) over to the US from these places to appear here, including Sophie Nzayisenga from Rwanda. His music is very melodious and unpretentious with lots of African influences. With William Parker, Tim Keiper, and myself, he recorded music that resulted in 3 albums released on Ropeadope records in 2015-2016. Tonight the line-up is J.D., myself on guitar, Joe Exley-tuba, and Kevin Zubek-drums. We are preceded by fellow guitarist Brad Farberman’s band featuring Mike Clark on drums!
AIRING ON WKCR 89.9FM ON LIVE CONSTRUCTIONS SUNDAY 5/30 @ 10PM!!
Monday 5/23 THE WHY @ WKCR. We are making a studio recording to be aired later on, stay tuned on the “Intro” page on this site for the specific date and time as wkcr no longer streams online. You have to return to the wonderful thrill of holding out in anticipation until the show is scheduled to air, just like we used to do with TV shows and magazine subscriptions not long ago. Anders Nilsson – guitar, Francois Grillot – bass, Jeremy Carlstedt – drums. The why is by far the hardest of the questions to answer. In our case it all is flung into reality by the moment to moment choices we make from scratch and independently together in the step taking that makes up the musical process of improvisation. Urge vs. consequence etc. We played our first gig last April and it’s easier to physically convey the question with people in the room with us. Let’s see how it translates via the aural sense alone.