The collaborative trio of Ben Goldberg (clarinet, contra alto clarinet), Geof Bradfield (soprano and tenor saxophones, bass clarinet) and Dana Hall (percussion) explores new directions on General Semantics. Their Delmark Records debut features original music by the trio as well as unique interpretations of Duke Ellington, Cecil Taylor, and Hermeto Pascoal. The unusual instrumentation-especially the lack of a bassist- enables the musicians to transcend traditional instrument roles of accompaniment, improvisation, and interaction and create music that embraces form and harmony alongside freedom and spontaneous improvisation. Available on vinyl, CD, and digitally September 18, 2020.
Guimaraes Jazz Festival Residency
I’m thrilled to be in residence at the Guimaraes Jazz Festival in Portugal for the next two weeks! I’ll be directing the ESMAE Big Band and Strings ensemble in a performance of new arrangements of my music, leading the late night jam sessions, conducting master classes and workshops, and performing with my quintet featuring Russ Johnson, Scott Hesse, Clark Sommers and Dana Hall. See the gigs page and the Guimaraes Jazz Fest website (https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/pages/1456?event_id=3084) for more details.
Saxophonepodcast.com Interview
Thanks to Nick Mainella at the Everything Saxophone Podcast for this in-depth interview. We talk about my Houston roots, the thriving Chicago scene, woodwind doubling, teaching, and my latest record on Delmark, among other things. Check out Nick’s website for more news, reviews and interviews from the saxophone community.