NPR Jazz: KLANG At The Chicago Jazz Festival

Photo by Jason Marck (WBEZ)

NPR Jazz blogger Patrick Jarenwattananon recalls KLANG‘s “inventive set of Goodman-inspired originals and re-arrangements from clarinetist James Falzone” in a new post highlighting 10 of his favorite moments from this year’s Chicago Jazz Festival.

He notes the group “just released an album as cleanly executed as its name, Tea Music, might imply. But it was an exquisite treat to hear him re-score ‘Stompin’ at the Savoy,’ ‘Memories of You,’ ‘Six Appeal’ and other Goodman repertoire in a sort of 21st century, post-Jimmy Giuffre version of small group swing.”

Tea Music features all original music from the band’s usual repertoire and quartet line-up with vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, bassist Jason Roebke and drummer Tim Daisy, but you can hear this special edition of the band, dubbed KLANG: The Goodman Project, featuring special guest guitarist Dave Miller, in this recorded live performance on Chicago Public Radio’s Eight-Forty-Eight.

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KLANG: The Chicago Jazz Festival Preview

Photo by David Sampson

Clarinetist/composer James Falzone’s quartet KLANG, along with special guest guitarist Dave Miller, will help commemorate the Benny Goodman Centennial at the 31st annual Chicago Jazz Festival on Sunday afternoon.

This customized five-piece edition of the group, dubbed KLANG: The Goodman Project, was created in response to an invitation from the festival and has performed at festival preview concerts around the city this past week.

Falzone was also interviewed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s JazzGram and the band is featured on this morning’s episode of Chicago Public Radio’s Eight Forty-Eight. You can also hear a track from the band’s brand new CD, Tea Music (Allos Documents), in the latest “Post No Bills” podcast from the Chicago Reader‘s Peter Margasak.

Following Sunday’s performance, the group will get back to business promoting its new record (check out the early reviews here) with its original lineup featuring vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, bassist Jason Roebke and drummer Tim Daisy.

That includes preparations for the official CD release concert at The Hideout on September 23rd, and a week-long Midwest tour culminating in a hometown performance at The Hungry Brain on November 22nd. Check out the complete itinerary here.