Max Johnson - Quartet [Not Two]

Mark Whitecage - alto saxophone, clarinet
Steve Swell - trombone
Max Johnson - bass
Tyshawn Sorey - drums


Not Two 2012

I think any reader of this blog is familiar with the names of Steve Swell, Mark Whitecage and Tyshawn Sorey. Who is Max Johnson you ask? Well, Max Johnson is the guy who gathered the three above mentioned in his band to release his debut cd. Such manpower in the hands of a new guy demand attention as well as caution.

Nu Band at Alchemia (11.03)

Joe Fonda

Nu Band played in Krakow couple of years back, also released on of their cd in Krakow-based Not Two label. This quartet celebrated last year its 10th anniversary it's great to see that those four still find enough gas in tank to tour, compose, play and enjoy it so much.

As written above -  they've been around as a quartet for more than a decade now so if you've been following the (free)jazz scene you should be pretty familiar with them. Fantastic musicianship, wild immagination and music that is rooted deeply in the jazz avant-guarde of the 60's, in the historical sax-trumpet-bass-drums format,. You can hear the blues foundation, you can tap your foot trying to follow quirky swinging syncopations of Lou Grassi's toms.