Steamin'

It's eight days since the IB Expo concert took place, and a lot of things have happened. Some good, some bad. Nevertheless, the IB Expo concert was simply too good to let go that easily, so here's some more info and a couple of pics.

The concert in itself was wonderful, it really was. Had I not been involved, I would have had a seat in the middle of the theatre and loved every second of it. As it were, I was involved, and loved every second of it.

I think a setlist says more than 1000 words, at least when I am as tired as I am today - having hosted Otto's namegiving party today, including a very free interpretation of Ruby, My Dear by yours truly. More later.

Here's the setlist from IB Expo 06 (more info in IB's forthcoming newsletter and on IB's MySpace page):

First set:

Conundrum (featuring Kjell, Klas & Pat)
Soundscape (by Markus)
Open/Dark II
Celestial Vessel (featuring Bjorn)
Vrooom
Tuner improv (featuring Bjorn)
Can
Absinth
Krin
Variations on a theme from the Carneval in Venice (Christian solo)



Second set:
Sonata (by Ginastera, as played by Christian solo)

Warszawa
Lake District
Song for a Crow Angel
From Here to Eternity
Coming from the Silence
B'Boom
THRAK
Wild as a Toad
Mariola

Encore:
Magnificent Giant Battles

Extra encore:
Theme from The Coachman


And here's the team from IB Expo 06

From left to right: Klas Assarsson, Kjell Severinsson, Pat Mastelotto, Fredrik "Gicken" Johansson, Linnea Olsson, Mats Johansson, Thomas Olsson, Jonas Christophs, Markus Reuter, Christian Saggese (seated), Jan Severinsson, Luca Calabrese, Noca Ramos (one of two honoured guests from Portugal, the other - Luis Loureiro took this photo) and finally Franco Feruglio.

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I'm not a big fan of jazz standards, but when the material is played as well as Davis, Coltrane, Garland, Jones and Chambers perform it on Steamin', I have no objections. As on all the albums recorded by this classic Miles Davis quintet, the interaction amonst the musicians is startling. They certainly knew what they were doing. As I am a sucker for most things Monk, I recommend the quintet's take on "Well, You Needn't". But do listen to "When I Fall in Love" and enjoy Davis' one-of-a-kind ballad playing. Ohhh, that phrasing!

It Could Have Been a Lot Worse

IB Expo 06 started gradually this year. Luca was the first to arrive since he had gigs with sax player Carlo Actis Dato and Enzo Rocco duo, making the duo a trio. The first concert was arranged by Jazz i Malmo at Jeriko, the second at Mejeriet in Lund. The Malmo gig was a hoot! You may recall that Frank Zappa asked the highly relevant question "Does Humor Belong in Music". Had Mr. Zappa heard this trio, he needn't have asked. Now, if these three guys weren't great musicians, the whole thing would have been incredibly embarrasing, but since they are the canine's testicles everyone was truly impressed while laughing. Thanks for coming to Malmo Luca!

The next arrival was master drummer/electronica wiz Pat Mastelotto. I had a wonderful talk with the man despite him being knackered following a long flight and losing his bag. Sadly, I couldn't attend his workshop on Sunday, neither be at the first two days of IB Expo due to a heavy workload and my girlfriend coming down with a bad migraine.

Luckily, Mats sent me some pictures I would like to share with you, so here goes:

Here's Markus Reuter leading the troops












Pat and Kjell solving a conundrum under Klas' supervision




And here's Franco bowing his legendary IKEA bass



There's more to come...

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To me, Tim Berne is one of the most interesting composers within the field of contemporary jazz. Working within long structures with tightly woven themes while leaving space for challenging improvisations, Berne has never disappointed me. "It Could Have Been A Lot Worse" is the first track on the Nice View album by his band Chaos Totale (featuring my very favourite contemporary jazz composer Django Bates). This CD has been out of print for a number of years, but is now back in print on the highly recommeded Winter & Winter label. Get it!

Workin'

I've neglected my blog once more. Sorry blog! The reason is a heavy workload and a young son I want to spend time with. I hope you excuse me.

A short report on what's happening:

September was a very intense month at the department of Musicology. Lots of meetings, loads of papers to be handed in to university authorities about the power draining Bologna process, due next autumn term. Also lecturing and supervising papers of course.

At Jazz in Malmo I am working with booking for the spring season. Several strong and interesting names, among them a couple of personal favourites. Hopefully, at least one of them will come to Malmo in March or May respectively. On a more problematic note, the audience seem completely uninterested in local groups, even though they may be terrific. For some reason, only a small number of audients turned up to hear an incredible evening of contemporary Norwegian jazz with Maria Kannegaard Trio and BOL. Fantastic music, great musicians but a complete let-down from the audience. Having said that, the people who turned out loved every minute of it and were most enthusiastic.

Finally IB. All the work preparing IB Expo will lead to the realization of this years' event next week. So far, so good. Some minor administrative and practical issues to deal with, but nothing major.

It has been very easy to work with our international guests and I am sure next week will be wonderful and creative.

Pat Mastelotto has provided us with some interesting ideas for songs to play. Nuff' said at the moment.

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Workin' is one of the albums that came out of two sessions in 1956 with the first legendary Miles Davis Quintet. It never ceases to amaze me how fresh-sounding these recordings are. They have a timeless quality to them, perhaps even before their time. The interplay and togetherness of this combo is dazzling. Davis and Coltrane in particular play beautifully. They make it sound so easy!