Music – Page 23 – Scratch My Brain

Cool label, cool instrument

Since the Lucky 7s have recently signed a deal for Clean Feed to release our next CD, I was happy to see this nice Clean Feed/trombone shout out on AAJ.

Clean Feed: Between Shadow and Space & Drunk Butterfly:

The Portuguese label Clean Feed has cast a wide net since its inception in 2001. And as it has gained momentum—its inaugural year saw just three releases while so far 2008 has birthed 19—it has become less an imprint and more of a time capsule of a particularly fertile period in creative music.

The trombone has finally caught up with —and to some extent—lapped the saxophone as an instrument for experimentation. Players like Roswell Rudd, Ray Anderson and Joe Fiedler (all with discs on the label) have contributed to this renaissance.

JAQ video

The Jeff Albert Quartet will have a new CD available soon. Here is a little video to stoke your curiosity.

Thanks to all of you who sent well wishes and inquiries into our well being. My family and our home survived Hurricane Gustav with very little damage. There is some clean up to do (if it ever quits raining) and the gas lamp in the front yard is a goner, but otherwise things are fine and returning to normal. The Naked Orchestra gig that was scheduled for tomorrow night is a storm casualty, but I am sure it will get revived at some point.

My rss reader had a few beauties when I got home from my Gustav evac. Howard Mandel has a couple of Chicago Jazz Fest inspired postings that are well worth the time.

Dave Douglas points to a nice New Music Box piece on Peter Evans. Be sure to check out the video.

New Music; old music; life changes; I did learn something in undergrad; and a new CD

I’ve had these two new Mike Reed CD’s sitting on my desk, waiting for me to write something about them for quite some time. I don’t have the time nor inclination to write full reviews, but I do feel the need to let you know that these are really good, and you should buy them…both. Clicking on the cover images will take you to the label’s website. If you are in Chicago right now, Mike has some cool gigs over the next couple of days. Check out his schedule.

Edit: I just realized, while looking for commerce links for these discs, that they aren’t officially out yet. I think they drop (as the kids say) on Sept. 9, so be sure to look for them then. I think the 482 stuff is usually available on iTunes, and eMusic, and you can order the plastic version from the label, and CD Baby I believe…once they drop.

I’ve gone on an old AACM and related vinyl eBay spree, and my two latest scores are duos with George Lewis and a saxophonist, although “saxophonist” seems like such a lacking term for either of these musicians. I had never heard the Lewis/Ewart collaboration, but had heard of it, and it didn’t disappoint. I was turned on to “Elements of Surprise” by Jeb Bishop. When he first played it for me, I nearly lost my mind. Then I would request it every time we had a listening session at his house. I finally scored my own copy, so he might be safe from my nagging requests to hear it…not that I had to really twist his arm to get him to spin it.

My life is about to change pretty drastically. Monday, I start classes at LSU. I am working towards a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts). I don’t know how that will affect my time for various activities, but I have tried hard to clear my plate enough that making music can remain a high priority along with school. We’ll see how the blogging fares, not that it has gotten that much attention lately anyway.

I did learn something all those years ago in undergrad, as evidenced by the fact that I passed the theory and history diagnostic exams that all new grad students have to take. Small miracles never cease. Well, a last minute review with a friend helped too.

I will have a new CD out this fall. We recorded it August 13th, and the master went to the pressing plant today. It will be called “Similar in the Opposite Way” and I’ll post more info as it becomes available.

Michael Ray & The Cosmic Krewe video

I was just informed of the YouTube presence of this video. This is from 2003. Playing with Michael Ray was a very important part of the process that got me to the space I am in today. I learned a lot about music and about myself playing with him.

The musicians are: Michael Ray (trumpet), jeff Albert (trombone), Eddie Croft (tenor sax), Dave Ellington (keys), Ian Cunningham (guitar), Jimbo Walsh (bass), and Dan Caro (drums)

LPs

I recently scored a bunch of 70’s Arista Braxton LPs on eBay. I have been reading George Lewis’ AACM book, and it put me on an eBaying spree because that seemed like the easiest place to find some of this stuff.

I’ve found myself in the middle of the LP vs. CD “discussion” on several occasions. I haven’t had particularly strong feelings one way or the other, although I usually come down on the side that realizes that we are stuck with newer technologies, so we might as well deal with it.

I must admit, however, that opening the box of 4 different albums and giving them each that first listen, sure was fun. Yes, LPs sound different than CDs, and yes the liner notes are in a cooler format, but the thing that struck me the most about the LPs is that they make you listen differently. They change the listening ritual.

You can put a CD on and leave it. You get up to 70 minutes of music, with no further action, and when it is over, it just stops. You can hit shuffle in iTunes and have music for weeks with no further action required. You have to pay attention to an LP. You can’t go much more than 20 minutes without having to do something to make the music continue, or even to make it stop. I have found that this keeps me from letting the music become sonic wallpaper. I like that. Just sitting and listening, and maybe looking at the nice sized photos on the large jacket.

I’m not going to start releasing my stuff on LP (yet), but I might come down on the other side of the discussion next time.

Nice compliment ?

On the quartet’s gig at the HiHo last Sunday night, I was told by an audience member that I played like a two year old. I am pretty sure she meant with the joy and wonder and excitement of a two year old, and not the chops of a two year old.

Food for thought

A few good lines from: Remembering the genius who Stanley Kubrick stole music from. – By Jan Swafford – Slate Magazine

it hadn’t occurred to me that the avant-garde and the comic could cohabitate.

Ligeti had his own singular and unpredictable parameters. Sometimes he’s almost alarmingly funny, other times mesmerizing, uncanny, hyperbolic, touching, ironic—all the good stuff music used to do.

Reed in the Reader

This is a nice article on Mike Reed in the Chicago Reader. I’ve had the pleasure of making music with Mike a time or two, and the series that he and Josh run at the Hungry Brain has served as an inspiration and template for the Open Ears Music Series.

I recently got copies of Mike’s two forthcoming CDs, and will have more to say about that soon.

Chicago Reader | Pitchfork Music Festival coverage: Mike Reed’s best known as the guy who assembles the Pitchfork Festival, but in his spare time he performs miracles for the local jazz scene. By Peter Margasak

One to One Studios in Jackson, MS

This past Friday, I took my quartet to Jackson, MS to perform at One to One Studios, which is a very cool art gallery/performance space. In the performance space, they have a stage that is made up of 5 large circles on three different levels. It definitely creates and different vibe for the performers. There was a pretty good sized, very attentive audience in attendance.

I played one set with my regular quartet, and did an opening set of improvisations with Jackson natives Bruce Golden and Jeb Stuart. I have posted mp3s of the trio and the quartet over at jeffalbert.com.

Former New Orleanian, and current Jascksonian, Will Thompson hooked us up. He has become a real connecting factor between the New Orleans and Jackson creative/improv scenes. It’s a pretty logical connection. The two cities are only a 2.5 to 3 hour drive apart. Here’s hoping for a long and fruitful association between the cities and their scenes, and if you are ever in Jackson, be sure to check out One to One.

Image courtesy of Paul Fayard.

Category: Music