Dave Rempis solo at Alchemia (Krakow Autumn Jazz; 28.11)

Dave Rempis played in Alchemia a lot. That's a fact. But Krakow's audience had never yet had a chance, as I daresay few did before, to see him play a solo concert.

There are few things in music as demanding as a solo performer. To be able to fill the entire space, to create the entire musical narrativa with just a single voice and, from the audience's perspective, to be have to focus on one person on stage, it can be exhausting, it can be weary, it usually is in fact, it happens to be also extremely satisfying.

And so was this concert. Dave filled the space with fluid alto lines and shattered sounds. The range of ideas was impressive as their depth. The performance was not only intimate and extremely personal, which is usual for a solo setting, it had also an intricate logic and sense of direction that are much rarer.

The music flowed and streamed, inspired and inspiring. Thank You Dave.

Dave Rempis - alto sax
Alchemia. Krakow Autumn Jazz. 28.11.2012

for the encore, Dave played soulfully digging his teeth into this classic:

 

Stefan Pasborg - Free The Moby Dick [ILK]

Mikko Innanen - baritone saxophone
Liudas Mockunas - tenor saxophone
Nicolai Munch-Hansen - electric and double bass
Stefan Pasborg - drums and percussion


ILK Records 2012

If the title "Free Moby Dick" doesn't explain itself clearly enough there's a tiny print below : interpretating six standards from the history book of rock 'n' roll. If that doesn't sound like fun that I don't know what does.

Stefan Pasborg gathers together three friends of his, Mikko Innanen from Finlad, Liudas Mockunas from Lituania and Nicolai Munch-Hansen to perform together such rock'n'roll classics like "Black Dog" as well as "Out In The Tiles" by Led Zeppelin, "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath, "Paint It Black" by Rolling Stones, the modern rock anthem "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes" and the lushfull ballad "Johnsburg Illinois" by Tom Waits. 

Jazz Alchemist Radio 26.11.2012 with ... Jimi Hendrix

Autumn is so intense, and so many new great cds have been released recently that...I decided to catch a short break from here and now and the playlist is dedicated to the one and only the great Jimi Hendrix who would have his 70th birtday tomorrow.

Has there ever been any other musician who changed his instrument for ever in a way and to the extent Jimi did? Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Jaco Pastorious? They've come pretty close but I don't think anyone had such an impact as Jimi did.

Debates aside, hope you'll enjoy the music, some pretty surprising takes on Hendrix songs in there.

1. Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys - Power To Love
2. Robert Dick and Soldier String Quartet - Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
3. Mina Agossi - Voodoo Chile
4. Jorgos Skolias & Bronislaw Duzy - Foxy Lady
5. Jamie Cullum - Wind Cries Mary
6. Mina Agossi - 3rd Stone from the Sun
7. Gil Evans Orchestra - Castles Made of Sand / Foxy Lady
8. Jorgos Skolias & Bogdan Holownia - Little Wing
9. Mary LaRose, Steve Swell, Jeff Lederer, Domini Duval - Wind Cries Mary
10. Mina Agossi - Machine Gun
11. Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys - Who Knows
12. Medeski, Martin & Wood - Hey Joe

Jazz Alchemist Radio 26.11.2012 with Jimi Hendrix by Jazzowy Alchemik on Mixcloud

Mazzoll / Janicki / Janicki - Minimalover [Mozg]

Minimalover :
Jerzy Mazzoll - bass clarinet & a, b, c clarinets
Slawek Janicki - double bass
Qba Janicki - drums, percussion, electronics


Stowarzyszenie Artystyczne Mozg 2012

I've written about this trio on the occasion of their concert in Krakow few months back and it's due time to get back and remind you about the cd/dvd they've released as I reckon it's one of the most important events of the year on polish creative music scene. Jarzy Mazzoll shaked jazz status quo back in the 90s (polish yass revolution) and, after few years absence he's back with new group and same unrelentless, rebellious spirit, in the company of old cohort Slawek Janicki (muscular tone yet light on his feet as a good boxer) and Qba Janicki (infusion of fresh blood straight from the new generation of improvising musicians).

Barry Guy New Orchestra - finale at Manggha (Krakow Autumn Jazz; 23.11)

For three evenings at Alchemia, Barry Guy New Orchestra mixed the elements, ingredients of the band. Feel free to check the previous posts for the detailed line-up of each evening. Both sax trios that make the axis of the band (Evan-Barry-Paul and Mats-Barry-Raymond) could make another statement and develop their history but mostly the line-ups were surprising and unconventional. And so was the music -  exploratory and uncomprimsing.

The three evenings gave an insight into the infinite world of possibilites that exist in a big band, in coulour and texture of music. The music created in an instance, raw yet pure, born from the moment. Majestic or joyfull, energetic or soothing, hidden as well as right in front of your eyes/ears. To be perceived in all it's glory on the final set of those three days, when eleven musicians squeezed onto the stage and ripped and sew again the space with the music.

A series of spontaneously created parallel universes met all together at once yesterday evening at Manggha, given the support of the composed structure.

The Orchestra presented three pieces, each featuring a different main soloists (Maya Homburger, Trevor Watts, Augusti Fernandez). And the music rose in thousands of sounds and colours and shapes, rich and purely majestic. The compositions going light-years beyond any jazz idiom, probably where Gil Evans and Stan Kenton sometimes dreamt of going , concertos for orchestra and soloists. Music that has the immediate element of improvisation built-in, that strikes your heart, while it builds an entire reality of symphonic depth and richness, harmonies sharp or lush, that touch your mind.

And my mind is still striving to grasp it, without any real success. What I know is: those four days of music, in all its variety of aspects and manifestations - that's why we (I hope to speak those words not only for myself) love this music. This is music that unifies passion and vision and expression.

Barry Guy New Orchestra:
Barry Guy - double bass, conductor
Maya Homburger - baroque violin
Augusti Fernandez - piano
Evan Parker - tenor sax, soprano
Trevor Watts - alto sax
Mats Gustafsson - baritone sax, fluteophone
Hans Koch - bass clarinet
Herb Robertson - trumpet, pocket trumpet
Johannes Bauer - trombone
Per-Ake Holmlander - tuba
Paul Lytton - drums
Raymond Strid - drums

Krakow Autumn Jazz. Alchemia (20-22.11.2012) and Manggha (23.11.2012)

Barry Guy New Orchestra - day 3 at Alchemia (Krakow Autumn Jazz; 22.11)

Third day blew the audience off with the final set play by the whole orchestra, did it prepare me for what's coming tonight? I'm not sure but it sure made me want more.

first set
Hans Koch, Raymond Strid
+ Herb Robertson, Johannes Bauer, Trevor Watts

second set
Augusti Fernandez, Paul Lytton
Mats Gustafsson, Barry Guy, Raymond Strid

third set
entire orchestra

(this is from the last day in Alchemia in 2010)

 Alchemia. Krakow Autumn Jazz. 22.11.2012

Barry Guy New Orchestra at Alchemia - day 2 (Krakow Autumn Jazz; 22.11)

As I've anticipated in the previous post, the creative sparks are flying high in Alchemia these days. They've knocked you out the day before, if you've managed to get up for the next evening, they did it again. I'll try maybe to sum up the evenings in Alchemia after it's all over and one has a chance to collect his thoughts. For now, it's just a chronicle and here's what happened:

First set

-Johannes Bauer

-Maya Homburger, Herb Robertson, Per-Ake Holmlander, Raymond Strid 

-Barry Guy, Johannes Bauer, Paul Lytton

Second set

-Trevor Watts, Mats Gustafsson, Augusti Fernandez

-Mats Gustafsson, Hans Koch, Per-Ake Holmlander

Third set

-Augusti Fernandez, Raymond Strid

-Evan Parker / Barry Guy / Paul Lytton

Barry Guy New Orchestra at

Alchemia. Krakow Autumn Jazz. 21.11.2012

Barry Guy New Orchestra at Alchemia - day 1 (Krakow Autumn Jazz; 20.11.)

When you gather together 12 musicians of such caliber as those taking part in Barry Guy New Orchestra creative sparks are bound to fly around all over the place. And this was just the case.

As words fail to depict truly the music and the energy, treat this and the next few posts more as a chronicle of the event than anything else. It's just me trying to pick up some thoughts together, recover from the musical battle.

The orchestra produced forward a group-selection, without repeating once, any of the possibilites presented two years ago. It seems in fact a puzzle-game of the mastermind which consists in confronting different pieces each time, curious of the possible reactions and effects. You might call it a slighly mad chemistry lab.

And the chemistry (alchemy) is transparent, as each setting yields surprise, variety and inspires satisfaction. The highlights of the night, in my ear, were: 

Maya's ferocious and ear-piercing violin against the low riffs on baritone sax and tuba (I did not have a chance before to see Maya in a completely improvised setting and was blew away).

The incessant and unbelievable percussion drive courtesy of the double drum sets (Paul and Raymond). Pair in the front the muscular Mats' tone, with the humourous Bauer's trombone, add Barry's precision and adventouresness and you've got a band on fire. It was loud, it was heavy, it was raw and meaty and it was a blast.

Come tonight for more.

set I
Auguti, Herb, Evan (solos, trio)

set II
Hans, Barry
Maya, Mats, Per-Ake
Mats, Augusti

set III
Trevor, Per-Ake, Paul
Mats, Johannes, Barry, Paul, Raymond

Alchemia. Krakow Autumn Jazz Festival. 20.11.2012

Jazz Alchemist Radio to begin the Barry Guy New Orchestra Week 19.11.2012

I have a slight feeling of deja-vu. Two years ago, on the very similar occasion this very blog was born and, suprisingly, is still well and alive. The playlist is a mere introduction to this week, an attempt to mention each musician taking part in the project. 

Barry Guy brings back his New Orchestra to Krakow for a four-days residence that begins tomorrow, will present various small ensembles (featuring selected band's members) on three evening in Alchemia and a final performance in Manghha by the full orchestra.

Treat this sample as an appetizer.

1. Maya Homburger & Barry Guy - Seconda Sonata (by Dario Castello)
2. Herb Robertson & Mark Solborg - Celestials
3. Barry Guy - Sleep Leaper
4. Mats Gustafsson, Barry Guy, Raymond Strind - Taku
5. Hans Koch & John Edwards - improv
6. Augusti Fernandez, Barry Guy, Raymon Lopez - Odyssey
7. Per-Ake Holmlander - Down & Ups
8. Kris Wanders Outfit - A Man's Dream (from "In Remembrance of the Human Race"; feat. Johannes Bauer)
9. Evan Parker, Barry Guy, Paul Lytton - Zafiro Encore
10. Trevor Watts & Jamie Harris - Sarawak
11. Barry Guy New Orchestra - Oort-Entropy; part 2

Jazz Alchemist Radio 19.11.2012 to introduce Barry Guy New Orchestra week by Jazzowy Alchemik on Mixcloud

Mischief Theatre at ImproFest - One Wet Man (18.11)

And now for something completely different: a short post about improvisation that has nothing to do with the music, thus having very little to do with what's usually the subject and the goal of this blog.

Anyway the Mischief company created and ad hoc, improvised on the spot movie, a western filled with action, passion, drama, childhood trauma and absurd. The goodie-goodie hero Max J. (one name that sounds like two) fought through his fear of water and saved the beautifull Rosalie and the city of Moscow from the evil gang of bathroom invaders, proving in the course of the action that eating tons of sausage can be a bonding element to a romantic relation and drinking a glass of water can be an act of courage.

I have seen a lot of short form stage improvs, but never anything long-form guided with such a finesse and sense of structure. And the rules of a good improvisation are pretty much the same whether it's music or stage act. It all comes down to putting your skills and immagination to a test, being ready to act and react and co-create, building up an entire story from little more than a scratch.

The audience's suggestions in that case were: western, Moscow, "One Wet Man", bathroom and sausage. How they've managed to put that together escapes my understanding, but they've created an underrated classic of the genre.

If you get a chance to see them, do yourself a favour and don't miss it. As much fun you can fit into one hour without risking the implosion of the universe.

Ratchet Orchestra - Hemlock [Drip Audio]

Reeds: Cristoper Cauley (soprano), Louisa Sage (alto), Damian Nisenson (tenor), Jason Sharp (bass), Lori Freedman (clarinet), Gordon Krieger (bass clarinet); Flutes: Craig Dionne, Jean Derome (bass flute, piccolo, flute)

Trumpets: Gordon Allen, Philipp Battikha

Trombones: Scott Thomso, Jacques Gravel; Brass: Thea Pratt (Eb horn), Eric Lewis (Euphonium), Noah Countability (sousaphone), Gabriel Rivest (Tube); Strings: Joshua Zubot (violin), Brigitte Dajczer (violin), Guido Del Fabbro (violin), Jean Rene (viola), Gen Heistek (viola), Norsola Johnson (cello), Nicolas Caloia (bass), Chris Burns (guitar), Sam Shalabi (guitar); Piano: Guillame Dostale; Rhythm: Isiaiah Ceccarelli (drums), John Heward (drums), Ken Doolittle (percussion), Michel Bonneau (conga)

                                                                          DRIP Audio 2012

I felt that once I've copied the band's members list my work is close to finished. The Ratchet Orchestra is led by Montreal based bass player Nicolas Caloia who composed all the tunes on "Hemlock" which is the big band's second release. Just one look at the line-up gives you some idea about how huge might be the sound of this music.

Keir Neruinger & Rafał Mazur - invitation to Literki, tonight at 8PM

I'd like to pass Rafal Mazur's invitation to the concerts with Keir Neuringer. I've written about the duo on the occasion of a concert at Bomba some time ago. The duo's cd "Unison Lines" comes equally highly recommended.

The concert at Literki is and additional event to the Krakow Autumn Jazz program as well as part of the new and very much-welcomed series dedicated to improvised music Improwizje that will take place at the club.

As such it starts also an international tour by the duo.  Here are the next dates, be sure to see the concert if you're nearby:

Unison Lines European Tour 2012

15.11. - Kraków, klub Literki http://www.barliterki.pl/
19.11 – Warszawa, „Pardon, to tu” http://www.pardontotu.pl/
20.11 – Poznań, Dragon http://www.dragon.krzyk.pl/
21.11 – Gdańsk, Teatr w Oknie www.teatrszekspirowski.pl/
22.11 – Berlin, Sowieso http://www.sowieso-neukoelln.de/#home
23.11 – Leipzig, Galerie KUB http://galeriekub.de/
25.11 – Paris, La galerie G http://lartaugarage.over-blog.com/
27.11 – Brussels, Cafe Central www.lecafecentral.com/
28.11 – Amsterdam, OT 301 www.ot301.nl
29.11 – Geneve, Insubordinations series, le Cabinet http://www.insubordinations.net/agenda.html
01.12 – Wien, Porgy&Bess www.porgy.at

The tour is possible thanks to a funding received by the

Theo Jorgensmann & Albrecht Mauer [Nemu]

Theo Jorgensmann -  g low clarinet, voice
Albrecht Maurer - violin, viola, voice

Nemu Records 2011

"Melancolia" is inspired by Albrecht Durer's engraving from the 1514, symbolic picture produced in times scarred by the inhumane Peasant Wars. Nonetheless the improvised suite presented on the cd is not necesseraily sad.

Jazz Alchemist Radio Archives 09.11.2009 with Paul, Gred, Fred and others

Whoever's in Krakow I invite you to come and see the documentary "Soldier of the Road. A portrait of Peter Brotzmann", screening starts at 8PM at Kino Agrafka. For everyone else's enjoyement (?) here' another from the archives (I promise that next Monday there will be some brand new material and live program will air). The show originall aired on 09.11.2009 and 

We've presented briefly some then-recent releases (Tomasz Stanko's "Dark Eyes", Wadada Leo Smith's "Spiritual Dimensions" and a piece from the "Resonance" box set by Ken Vandermark's project).

We've talked about the coming next week by Londberg-Holms Valentine Trio (2) - part of the 2009 Autumn Jazz in Krakow.

As well as we've celebrated birthdays of Paul Bley and Greg Lake.

The audio is so-so, the introductions are way too long but bear with me as there's some good music inbeetween. Hope you'll enjoy it.

01_Tomasz Quintet Stanko - Grand Central
02_Paul Bley, Gary Peacock, Paul Motian - Fig Foot
03_Fred Lonberg-Holm Valentine Trio - I know
04_Fred Lonberg-Holm Valentine Trio - I Know (reprise)
05_King Crimson - In Court Of Crimson King [BBC radio sessions]
06_Crimson Jazz Trio - The Court Of The Crimson King
07_King Crimson - Epitaph
08_Fred Lonberg-Holm Valentine Trio - The Squimp
09_Ken Vandermark Resonance - The Number 44 (for Ania 'Czarna' Adamska)
10_Wadada Leo Smith Organic Group - South Central L.A Kulture

Jazz Alchemist Radio Archives 09.11.2009 with Greg, Paul and others by Jazzowy Alchemik on Mixcloud

Concerts, Movies, Festivals and so on. Krakow 11.11-18.11.

It might seem that in beetwen the 28.10-2.11 marathon and the coming soon Barry Guy New Orchestra week Krakow Aumn Jazz festival came to a quick break, which is not entirely true. Nevertheless I decided to take this opportunity and invite you to some events that are taking place soon in Krakow and are worthy of your attention.

First and foremost Cracow Improvisers Orchestra, a collective that unites some of the most active members of the Krakow's improvising scene together will perform a couple of conducted ensemble improvisation tonight in Alchemia. 

Cracow Improvisers Orchestra 11.11. Alchemia 8.00 PM

The very next day a documentary "Soldier of the road" about Peter Brotzmann will be screened in Kino Agrafka. Start 8.30 PM (Reason why we'll have to wait another week for a live radio program. of course there will be something to tune in to radiofrycz.pl anyway).

"Soldier of the Road. A portrait of Peter Brotzmann". 12.11. Kino Agrafka. 8.30 PM

On 13.11 the experimental concert, part of the Muzykoterapia series I wrote about on several occasions, will take place back in Alchemia, the performers will be: Patryk Daszkiewicz, Pawel Dziadur, Martyna Poznanska and Bartosz Ignacy Wrona.

Muzykoterapia. 13.11. Alchemia. 8.30 PM

Keir Neuringer and Rafal Mazur will play in Literki on 15.11. Part of the "additional events" schedule for the Autumn Jazz Festival as well as part of an extended tour the duo will play, I'll dedicate a separate post to give you more details about the other dates and places.

Keir Neuringer & Rafal Mazur Duo. 15.11. Literki 8.00 PM

The recording of a special concert played by Chicago Tentet with guests will be screened at Kino Agrafka. The income will go to the Fukushima fund, as was the original intent of the concert.

Chicago Tentet: Concert for Fukushima. 17.11. Kino Agrafka. 6.00 PM

Last but definitely not least on 16.11 starts the 2012 Audio Art Festival, dedicated the integration of audio and visual arts. The festival will last till 25.11 and will present a variety of artists coming from the aritstic range of experimental, improvised, electronic, electro-acoustic, field recording, installation, performance etc. Please check the schedule as I'm sure you'll find something intriguing, both known and yet unknown to your ears.

http://audio.art.pl/

Audio Art Festival 2012. 16-25.11. Krakow