Reminder: Michael Musillami Trio + 3 At Cornelia Street This Saturday

 On Saturday, January 31st, guitarist/composer Michael Musillami‘s newest ensemble, the Michael Musillami Trio + 3, will make its New York debut at Cornelia Street Cafe. 

The group will be performing new original music, which it will then record the following day for its forthcoming May 2009 release on Playscape Recordings. 

The Michael Musillami Trio + 3 augments Musillami’s longstanding core trio, featuring bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller, with trumpeter Ralph Alessi, multi-instrumentalist Marty Ehrlich and vibraphonist Matt Moran.

David S. Ware Health Update

David S. Ware © Mephisto

Good news from Steven Joerg this morning on the search for a kidney donor:

Dear Friends,

Thank You All for your notes and your energy of support in response to the critical news. This page has been created to keep you up to date.

The beautiful news is that a number of potential donors have stepped forward; deepest blessings. The first is in the process of being screened toward potential transplant surgery.

Medicare policy (David’s principal insurance) is rather evidently that only one donor at a time may be screened. It is both David and this donor’s hope that all may move toward this transplant. The screening process takes time as has been made apparent.

David is in stable condition and continuing peritoneal dialysis at home. His spirits have been brightened in the past week and a half by all of your responsive energy, and we remain optimistic. When the time comes, we will send out a notice in response to the many inquiries we’ve had for donations toward further direct support.

AGAIN: To All who have extended their positive energy and prayers and love to David in response to the call, Thank You. To more good news soon! 

–SJ/AUM/DSW

Improvised Communications To Represent Harris Eisenstadt

Harris Eisenstadt by Peter Gannushkin

Improvised Communications is pleased to announce it has been retained by drummer/composer Harris Eisenstadt as his media contact and to promote various upcoming projects in 2009, including the March debut of his newest ensemble, Woodblock Prints, at Brooklyn’s Ibeam Music Studio.

Eisenstadt, a Toronto native currently based in Brooklyn, is known as “one of the most creative and skilled musician/composers incorporating traditional material to create new and vital improvised music” (Robert Iannapollo, AllAboutJazz-New York).

He has performed around the world, earned numerous accolades and commissions for work in a wide variety of musical genres, and appeared on more than 35 recordings. His latest release as a leader, Guewel (Clean Feed, 2008), was named one of the year’s best in publications such as AllAboutJazz.com, Time Out New York and the Village Voice.

Reminder: Garrison Fewell’s Boston CD Release Party

Tomorrow night, Boston-based guitarist/composer Garrison Fewell and his newest working ensemble, the Variable Density Sound Orchestra, will celebrate their forthcoming self-titled debut on Creative Nation Music with a two-set performance at the Cambridge Family YMCA Theater in Cambridge, MA (Central Square). 

The group, which features Roy Campbell (trumpet and flute), Achille Succi (alto saxophone and bass clarinet), Eric Hofbauer (guitar), John Voigt (bass) and Miki Matsuki (drums), will be joined by special guests, Steve Swell (trombone) and Dmitry Ishenko (bass). 

Variable Density Sound Orchestra (CNM 014) officially hits the streets on February 17th.

David S. Ware’s New CD, Shakti, Released Today

 Today is the official street date for eminent saxophonist/composer David S. Ware’s Shakti (AUM052) on AUM Fidelity.

This release, Ware’s fifth for the label and his first studio date since 2003, marks the recorded debut of a new working ensemble, his first since the disbanding of the long-lived and prolific David S. Ware Quartet (1989-2006).

Shakti presents a distinctive selection of Ware compositions written specifically for this group, which features guitarist Joe Morris, bassist William Parker and drummer Warren Smith, as well as a new interpolation of “Antidromic” from 1997′s Wisdom of Uncertainty (AUM001).

Here’s a sample of the press response thus far:

“Those who enjoy the music of David S. Ware can easily relate to this excellent recording of his new music concept, backed by equally extraordinary players who perfectly understand his vision and purpose.”
—Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

“Ware projects total conviction in the central role, his improvisations towering and incandescent.”
—Andy Hamilton, The Wire

“Joined by erstwhile bassist William Parker, Ware finds accord in two new ensemble mates, iconic guitarist Joe Morris and legendary drummer Warren Smith. A refreshingly lyrical and emotionally committed performance by masterful improvisers, Shakti ebbs with soulful intensity and inspired interplay, making this one of the most compelling, yet accessible, recordings of Ware’s career.”
—Troy Collins, AllAboutJazz.com

As you likely know, the release of this recording, which was intended to kick-off a year of celebrating Ware’s 50th anniversary as a saxophone player, comes at a time of declining health and the news he is in immediate need of a kidney transplant.

Thanks to all who have expressed their well wishes, especially those who have help spread the call for potential donors across cyberspace.  I hope to have positive news to share in the coming days and weeks.

Arts Leaders Urge Role For Culture In Economic Recovery

An article in Sunday’s New York Times explores the Obama administration’s potential support for the arts, including increased funding for the NEA, the idea of a cabinet-level arts czar and an overall awareness of the importance of the arts on the part of the U.S. government.

If you’re interested, there are a number of ways to get involved in the support of these initiatives, including this petition, joining Facebook causes like this, and contacting the president directly.

Mario Pavone’s Ancestors Is “Exciting, Substantial Stuff”

In a new post on his blog, Bay Area radio programmer Wedge, host of KZSU’s Memory Select on Friday’s from 3-6 p.m., delves into bassist/composer Mario Pavone‘s latest release, Ancestors (Playscape Recordings).

The recording, released in early November, is the debut of Pavone’s Double Tenor Quintet featuring saxophonists Tony Malaby and Jimmy Greene, pianist Peter Madsen and drummer Gerald Cleaver.

“It feels like a major step for an already accomplished leader,” he writes. “Malaby helped push boundaries on Pavone’s Boom album and sounds like he’s been let loose here. Greene is less rough-edged in his playing than Malaby but no less energetic, and the contrast of their styles is like an extra splash of color. You could argue [Madsen's] got more to do with Ancestors’ sound than do the sax players. All this work is grounded by — sometimes led by — Pavone’s own thick, throttling bass lines and hardy solos, and Gerald Cleaver’s funky/free drumming. This is exciting, substantial stuff.”

Creative Nation Music Announces Fifth Anniversary Showcase Tour Of New England

 Boston’s Creative Nation Music is proud to announce the initial dates of its Creative Nation Music Concert Showcase, a package tour with stops in three New England states featuring artists from its roster. 

This series of concerts, happening in February and March, is part of the label’s ongoing fifth anniversary celebration, which also includes new releases and the launch of a new series of rare, never-before-released and reissued music called The Hub Collection.

Founded in early 2004 by guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer, Creative Nation Music specializes in documenting the Boston jazz scene’s most distinctive musical personalities.  The label will release Garrison Fewell‘s Variable Density Sound Orchestra (CNM 014) and The Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra‘s Muse (CNM 015) on February 17th.

Creative Nation Music Concert Showcase dates:

Wednesday, February 4th at 7:30 p.m.
Garrison Fewell/Eric Hofbauer Duo + Eric Hofbauer & The Infrared Band
The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre
172 Exchange Street in Pawtucket, RI

Saturday, February 28th at 8:00 p.m.
Garrison Fewell/Eric Hofbauer Duo + Eric Hofbauer & The Infrared Band
West End Studio Theatre
959 Islington Street in Portsmouth, NH

Sunday, March 29th at 7:30 p.m.
Eric Hofbauer & The Infrared Band + The Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra
Boston CD release party for Muse (CNM 015)
Cambridge Family YMCA Theater
820 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, MA

Other upcoming dates of note by label artists:

Friday, January 30th at 8:00 p.m.
Garrison Fewell’s Variable Density Sound Orchestra
Boston CD release party for Variable Density Sound Orchestra (CNM 014)
Cambridge Family YMCA Theater
820 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, MA

Sunday, February 8th at 2:00 p.m.
Garrison Fewell/Eric Hofbauer Duo
Brandeis University’s Rose Art Museum
415 South Street in Waltham, MA

Wednesday, February 25th at 9:30 p.m.
Eric Hofbauer & The Infrared Band
The Fireplace
1634 Beacon Street in Brookline, MA

Mary Halvorson Featured In The Wire

Hot on the heels of being profiled earlier this week at Dusted as one of 10 artists to watch in 2009 (and in DownBeat, Jazz Review, JazzTimes, New York Times and Time Out New York in the ’08), guitarist/composer Mary Halvorson is featured in the February 2009 issue of The Wire.

The article, written by Philip Clark, explores Mary’s relationship with the guitar, as well as her musical personality and the differences between her work as a bandleader on 2008′s Dragon’s Head (Firehouse 12 Records) vs. her collaborations with violist Jessica Pavone and drummer Kevin Shea.

You can also find a series of exclusive tidbits from Mary on The Wire‘s Web site.

David S. Ware’s Shakti Reviewed At AllAboutJazz.com

Troy Collins’ review of eminent saxophonist/composer David S. Ware’s latest recording, Shakti (AUM Fidelity), is now posted at AllAboutJazz.com 

Collins writes, “A refreshingly lyrical and emotionally committed performance by masterful improvisers, Shakti ebbs with soulful intensity and inspired interplay, making this one of the most compelling, yet accessible, recordings of Ware’s career.”