I wanted to see all 4 of the bands playing for a mere $8. I just couldn't get out early enough for the 1st band and I couldn't stay out too late to save myself for the next night. It looks like they dropped the price to $5 for this month. Below is the March listing that I went to and the upcoming 4/22 listing.
I did get most of Radio I-Ching's set and they were awesome. I really feel bad for all the people who would enjoy them but have no idea they exist. This is good new Rock n Roll. They are really good and I always remember every time I see them or listen to one of their CDs.
I had to stick around for a little of The Young Equestrians set. I enjoyed it even more at Cake Shop than The Stone - it fits well here. I was sorry I had to leave after a couple of songs, but I had to save myself for work.
I think I like that Freestyle music Series is doing a once a month thing and that Radio I-Ching is one of the 3 or 4 bands playing each time. The only problem with the venue is it briings a lot of talkers/hangers who aren't that interested in the music in spite of the cover. They start trickling in after 10. It's definitely worth going again and maybe they will come later next time.
FREESTYLE MUSIC SERIES PRESENTS
Wednesday March 25th
8pm Amando Monaco & the Michaels
9pm Radio I-Ching • CD Release Party!
10pm The Young Equestrians
11pm Sportsman's Paradise
Cake Shop • 152 Ludlow Street • NYC
Wednesday April 22nd
FREESTYLE MUSIC SERIES
8pm Counterpoint: Kevin Norton, Jesse Stern, Garrett Brown
9pm Deep End Ensemble: Ian Ash, Bruce Eisenbeil, Wilbo Wright
10pm Roy Campbell, Ras Moshe, Shayna Dulberger & Dee Pop
11pm Kirk Knufke Group
Cake Shop • 152 Ludlow Street • NYC
www.cake-shop.com
Only $5
(so what's your excuse for not coming out?)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Lisle Ellis @ Zebulon 3/22/09
Timing gigs at Zeb is a whole art unto itself. It was listed as 8:30, Rashanim is on later, and its the type of artists who are usually close to schedule. My best guess is they would go on around 8:45. Given that they finished at about 9:45, that was probably the case. I didn't get there til about 9:15.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. Michael Wimberly was behind the kit, sans any of the interesting percussion instruments I saw him with the night before. Angelica Sanchez was adding a layer of beauty on the keyboard. The horn section was awesome - Darius Jones is always great. There was another guy on sax and clarinet. There was a great trombone player. During one piece, he had his muffler hooked up to his laptop and had some interesting non-trombone sounds, very futuristic. Lyle was as great as always and so was his music.
I would have loved to stay for Rashanim, but that would be counter-productive to my busy week ahead.
Music Now @ The Brecht Forum 3/21/09 Sunday, March 22, 2009 8:45 PM
Even though I slept til 11 I was pretty tired and felt like staying in. I had a busy day and would have been happy watching HBO all night. But, before making the final decision, I just had to check the options, including AAJ. I then changed course and ended up at this nice multi-band show for a mere $10.
I'm pretty happy as I got 3 nice sets of music. I couldn't keep my eyes open toward the end, so I missed the last ensemble, but the rest was all good.
It started with Ras Moshe's Music Now Group with Kyoko Kitamura on vocals, Tom Zlabinger on contrabass, Daniel Levin on cello and Anders Nilsson on guitar. Ras had his tenor and flute. It was very good. I'm pretty sure I've seen this group at The Brecht Forum before. With the Allmans in town, I'm very focused on the slide guitar. Nilsson kept grabbing my attention with his slide and soulful playing. Tom Z was awesome on the bass. I loved how the bass and cello were next to each other. It definitely highlighted the differences.
Next was Guiseppi Logan, who is apparently one of the great old-timers. He's still got something left in him. He played bass clarinet and alto sax while Matt Lavelle played trumpet and bass clarinet and Francois Grillot played bass on some standards like Caravan. Don't let the music books fool you, they were stretching it out at times. It ended with a nice little bass clarinet face-off jam.
I was getting very droopy during that set. Roy Campbell was supposed to be next, but they switched and The Nioka Trio was coming up next instead. All I had to do was see Michael Wimberly setting up his percussion and Nioka get out her beautiful electric cello that looks like an anchor and I knew I'd be able to stay up for this.
I was further intrigued when Michael Wimberly pulled out that thing with the spokes that Billy Martin was playing just the night before. I asked and found out it is an aquasonic and Michael doesn't put water in it. I suspect Billy doesn't use water, either. It looks like this is THE video on how its used.
It was one phenomenal piece and all they had for the evening, in spite of the audience cries for more. The dancing was great. It started out more modern. Then the dancer left for a bit, allowing us to focus on the musicians. She left in jeans and came back in a skirt. Her 2nd part was still modern, with a sprinkling of African here and there.
The piece was fantastic. Someone asked if she is Reggie Workman's daughter. I never got the answer.
That was it for me. I had to miss Roy Campbell, Joel Freedman, Hill Greene, Tom Zlabinger, Tor Yochai Snyder, and Ras Moshe. Oh well.
The ensemble also included Lewis Barnes on trumpet and Leslie Parker on dance/movement. This was phenomenal and well worth staying out past 10pm on a Sat night.
I'm pretty happy as I got 3 nice sets of music. I couldn't keep my eyes open toward the end, so I missed the last ensemble, but the rest was all good.
It started with Ras Moshe's Music Now Group with Kyoko Kitamura on vocals, Tom Zlabinger on contrabass, Daniel Levin on cello and Anders Nilsson on guitar. Ras had his tenor and flute. It was very good. I'm pretty sure I've seen this group at The Brecht Forum before. With the Allmans in town, I'm very focused on the slide guitar. Nilsson kept grabbing my attention with his slide and soulful playing. Tom Z was awesome on the bass. I loved how the bass and cello were next to each other. It definitely highlighted the differences.
Next was Guiseppi Logan, who is apparently one of the great old-timers. He's still got something left in him. He played bass clarinet and alto sax while Matt Lavelle played trumpet and bass clarinet and Francois Grillot played bass on some standards like Caravan. Don't let the music books fool you, they were stretching it out at times. It ended with a nice little bass clarinet face-off jam.
I was getting very droopy during that set. Roy Campbell was supposed to be next, but they switched and The Nioka Trio was coming up next instead. All I had to do was see Michael Wimberly setting up his percussion and Nioka get out her beautiful electric cello that looks like an anchor and I knew I'd be able to stay up for this.
I was further intrigued when Michael Wimberly pulled out that thing with the spokes that Billy Martin was playing just the night before. I asked and found out it is an aquasonic and Michael doesn't put water in it. I suspect Billy doesn't use water, either. It looks like this is THE video on how its used.
It was one phenomenal piece and all they had for the evening, in spite of the audience cries for more. The dancing was great. It started out more modern. Then the dancer left for a bit, allowing us to focus on the musicians. She left in jeans and came back in a skirt. Her 2nd part was still modern, with a sprinkling of African here and there.
The piece was fantastic. Someone asked if she is Reggie Workman's daughter. I never got the answer.
That was it for me. I had to miss Roy Campbell, Joel Freedman, Hill Greene, Tom Zlabinger, Tor Yochai Snyder, and Ras Moshe. Oh well.
The ensemble also included Lewis Barnes on trumpet and Leslie Parker on dance/movement. This was phenomenal and well worth staying out past 10pm on a Sat night.
Dumpstaphunk @ Highline 3/20/09
It probably would have been good to stop at Small's for the last set first, but I didn't. I forget how I'm not that into Dumpstaphunk. I was at one time...
I remember when Ivan first unveiled Dumpstphunk at Jazzfest. They probably formed sometime since the last jazzfest, when Ivan didn't have a band and he was sitting in with EVERYONE. I mean, he was sitting in all over the fest all day and then I'd see him again stopping by at countless night shows. I was so happy to see he put together his own band. At that time, he had Tony Hall, Nick Daniels, Raymond Webber, and Ian Neville but he also had Mark Mullins and Jun Yamaguchi and a couple more. I was so impressed and they were great. Then there was another jazzfest when they had a gig with Skerik the night of The Original Meters Reunion. That was off the hook! There were a few other horns that night, also. Dumpstaphunk hasn't completely done it for me since. I'm sure there was 1 or 2 since that I enjoyed, like I seem to recall a gig at Austin City Limits or maybe NOLA. They need a guitar player, some horns, and more energy.
Now, when Warren steps in its a whole other story. I was blown away yet again with how one guy can step in and save the whole show. He was unbelievably awesome, made everybody sound good, and blew me away. He made staying out so late on a Friday quite pleasurable.
I left right after his extended sitin pretty elated.
Claudia Quintet @ Cornelia St 3/20/09
I walked in towards the end of the 2nd set and was very happy about my choice. The music was great and intense. I was especially happy with the vibes in the midst of all of those great musicians.. Its been so long since I've seen Matt Moran, I forgot he exists. I used to see him in all kinds of great stuff at Tonic, including The Claudia Quintet.
The 2nd set was awesome. There were some loud talkers back by the bar, which caused me to take a seat up front. That was a good move because everything sounded better up there. I really enjoyed watching Matt. He had a old-tyme type microphone at times, the kind that helps amplify but uses no electricity. It looks like of like a collapsible sip cup.
They were only going to do one more and asked us to vote based on the titles. I really wanted both, and I'm so glad both got a lot of votes even though the one about Denmark toilets was the clear winner. They surprised us and did "Jazz Envy" after that after all. AND they featured Gary Versace on accordion for that one. It was awesome. Gary was there instead of Ted Reichman, listed below.
I walked by 55 Bar on my way to Highline. I was contemplating seeing Chris Potter and Mark Turner. It was midnight, the first set was still going on (or they hadn't cleared the room, more likely), and there was a big crowd waiting to get in for the 2nd set. Boy did I have flashbacks to waiting outside much earlier than that, sometimes in bitter cold weather, to get into Wayne Krantz or Uri Caine's Bedrock. Needless to say, I didn't feel like waiting around or dealing with the tiny space. I need to get over that.
9:00PM & 10:30PM JOHN HOLLENBECK'S CLAUDIA QUINTET
John Hollenbeck, composition/drums/percussion; Drew Gress, bass; Ted Reichman, accordion; Chris Speed, clarinet/tenor sax; Matt Moran, vibraphone
The 2nd set was awesome. There were some loud talkers back by the bar, which caused me to take a seat up front. That was a good move because everything sounded better up there. I really enjoyed watching Matt. He had a old-tyme type microphone at times, the kind that helps amplify but uses no electricity. It looks like of like a collapsible sip cup.
They were only going to do one more and asked us to vote based on the titles. I really wanted both, and I'm so glad both got a lot of votes even though the one about Denmark toilets was the clear winner. They surprised us and did "Jazz Envy" after that after all. AND they featured Gary Versace on accordion for that one. It was awesome. Gary was there instead of Ted Reichman, listed below.
I walked by 55 Bar on my way to Highline. I was contemplating seeing Chris Potter and Mark Turner. It was midnight, the first set was still going on (or they hadn't cleared the room, more likely), and there was a big crowd waiting to get in for the 2nd set. Boy did I have flashbacks to waiting outside much earlier than that, sometimes in bitter cold weather, to get into Wayne Krantz or Uri Caine's Bedrock. Needless to say, I didn't feel like waiting around or dealing with the tiny space. I need to get over that.
9:00PM & 10:30PM JOHN HOLLENBECK'S CLAUDIA QUINTET
John Hollenbeck, composition/drums/percussion; Drew Gress, bass; Ted Reichman, accordion; Chris Speed, clarinet/tenor sax; Matt Moran, vibraphone
Tremble & Quake @ Roulette 3/20/09
Another great way to make it up to myself that I couldn't see Clapton with ABB at The Beacon. I REALLY enjoyed Wu Fei and Billy Martin. I was front row center and I was more present than ever before.
It was wonderful watching Billy play and listening to the numerous sounds coming out of all of his various instruments. He started out mainly playing gong bells on the floor. He occasionally hit the bamboo reeds in that portion. He was on the floor right in front of me, so I could see everything. He moved on to various bird call things. I also got to learn about the difference in various shells-on-strings shaky things played in the same hand as bells on strings. He also had a couple of tambourines. I never noticed just how adept he is with one finger and a tambourine. He's getting pretty used to the berimbau. Oh yeah, and he played the drumkit and a bunch of other stuff at times.
Billy and Wu are great together. This is probably my favorite project I've seen her in. Well, maybe its tied with the duo with Eric Friedlander. She said the first time she and Billy played together was at The Stone. I got the impression this was their 2nd gig together. I think they are meant to play together a little more often.
It turns out the lyrics she was singing were Mandarin tongue twisters she learned from her father. She was great and I had fun watching her when I could tear myself away from Billy for a bit, which wasn't often.
I saw Taper Bill, who sent me to The Santos House for Melvin Gibbs and Vernon Reid and DJ Logic. The door guy thought they probably were almost done and I wasn't feelling it, so I decided to save the 17 bucks and stick with my original plan and head over to Cornelia Street.
March 20, 2009
Tremble and Quake, - Wu Fei with Billy Martin
Guzheng experimentalist/vocalist Wu Fei has worked with the likes of John Zorn, Fred Frith, Erik Friedlander, Elliott Sharp, and Cecil Taylor. A native Beijinger now based in Brooklyn, the artist-composer will unfurl acoustic vignettes for guzheng (ancient Chinese zither) and voice, including music from her latest album of chamber works...
It was wonderful watching Billy play and listening to the numerous sounds coming out of all of his various instruments. He started out mainly playing gong bells on the floor. He occasionally hit the bamboo reeds in that portion. He was on the floor right in front of me, so I could see everything. He moved on to various bird call things. I also got to learn about the difference in various shells-on-strings shaky things played in the same hand as bells on strings. He also had a couple of tambourines. I never noticed just how adept he is with one finger and a tambourine. He's getting pretty used to the berimbau. Oh yeah, and he played the drumkit and a bunch of other stuff at times.
Billy and Wu are great together. This is probably my favorite project I've seen her in. Well, maybe its tied with the duo with Eric Friedlander. She said the first time she and Billy played together was at The Stone. I got the impression this was their 2nd gig together. I think they are meant to play together a little more often.
It turns out the lyrics she was singing were Mandarin tongue twisters she learned from her father. She was great and I had fun watching her when I could tear myself away from Billy for a bit, which wasn't often.
I saw Taper Bill, who sent me to The Santos House for Melvin Gibbs and Vernon Reid and DJ Logic. The door guy thought they probably were almost done and I wasn't feelling it, so I decided to save the 17 bucks and stick with my original plan and head over to Cornelia Street.
March 20, 2009
Tremble and Quake, - Wu Fei with Billy Martin
Guzheng experimentalist/vocalist Wu Fei has worked with the likes of John Zorn, Fred Frith, Erik Friedlander, Elliott Sharp, and Cecil Taylor. A native Beijinger now based in Brooklyn, the artist-composer will unfurl acoustic vignettes for guzheng (ancient Chinese zither) and voice, including music from her latest album of chamber works...
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Kirk Knuffke Trio @ Roulette 3/19/09
Well, if you can't see Eric Clapton with The Allman Brothers, this is the next best thing. At least, my chosen next best thing for what is going on tonight. It was great. It was new music written for this performance and commissioned by Roulette and The Jerome Foundation (not sure if I spelled it right).
Kenny had a very interesting metal bell-type thing attached to one of his drums. It sounded good and looked shiny and pretty. I enjoyed watching him hit it with the brush and the stick and how he used it. I was in the front row and could everything perfectly.
Lisle Ellis is incredible. He had a skinny acoustic bass plugged into an amp. Sometimes I would forget about the other 2 and just listen to him.
I never saw Kirk Knuffke before. He's great. His playing was very attention-grabbing while being somewhat subtle, not in-your-face at all. There were some moments where I forgot about the other 2.
The music was new and creative and never "out there". I'm very glad with my choice.
Kenny had a very interesting metal bell-type thing attached to one of his drums. It sounded good and looked shiny and pretty. I enjoyed watching him hit it with the brush and the stick and how he used it. I was in the front row and could everything perfectly.
Lisle Ellis is incredible. He had a skinny acoustic bass plugged into an amp. Sometimes I would forget about the other 2 and just listen to him.
I never saw Kirk Knuffke before. He's great. His playing was very attention-grabbing while being somewhat subtle, not in-your-face at all. There were some moments where I forgot about the other 2.
The music was new and creative and never "out there". I'm very glad with my choice.
Thu Mar 19 - 8:30 PM
performer: Kenny Wollesen, Kirk Knuffke, Lisle Ellis,
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