Busy summer so far. Wonderful gigs were had and a new project formed in Paris with the great bassist and composer, Nico Moreaux. I will return to Paris in March to continue the project, which will include RJ Miller, my old friend Robert Stillman on saxophone (now living in England), and my new friend – the amazing Pierre Perchaud on guitar. Think Jimmy Giuffre meets Yann Tiersann – we’re all writing new material already!
I flew directly from Paris to Boston, where I drove straight to the Maine Jazz Camp to immediately give auditions, eat dinner, rehearse, and give the first of five faculty concerts (all on 4 hours sleep on the Arlanda Airport floor). For a week I was lucky enough to share the stage nightly with Frank Carlberg (piano), Pete McCann (guitar), Pascal Niggenkemper (bass), Mike Sarin (drums), and Christine Correa (voice). As is the tradition at MJC, a different faculty member leads the band through their music each night. It was great to hear some of my Plainville and Folk Art music played by this crew of such high-caliber musicians.
From Maine I spent a few days in Boston with my folks, during which time I heard a couple of live shows featuring two of my most influential saxophone teachers – George Garzone with the Fringe, and Allan Chase with Joe Morris, Luther Gray, and Steve Lantner. Both shows were amazing and they made me feel grounded. It’s comforting to know that improvised music is alive and well in Boston.
From there it was back to Brooklyn for two weeks of composing, practicing, and some rehearsals. Unfortunately the wind was taken out of my sails by a bout of tendinitis. I’ve been dealing with this off and on for 15 years now – no joke. I am determined to take care of it once and for all, so I have enrolled in Alexander Technique lessons, and maintained a pretty strict regimen of Qi Gong, Yoga, and running. If anyone has any advice, please let me know.
Took a week off and now I’m slowly getting back into playing. Writing for a Plainville gig in September and a duo with Mike Baggetta in October. New record coming out soon on Fresh Sound, and gigs coming up with John Mcneil, Ben Monder, and others.
More on that later….
cd release party! february 7th @ cornelia st. cafe, w. brandon seabrook (banjo), jeremy stratton (bass), kenny wollesen (drums)
I am happy to announce the release of my fourth album as a leader, Folk Art. The record primarily features the above quartet augmented by two solo guitar pieces (played by Will Graefe and Nathan Blehar) and two pieces by my regular group, Plainville.
You can read an early review of the record here, or purchase it at itunes.
Reservations are recommended, and can be made at (212)989-9319. Info at corneliastreetcafe.com.