03.02.2011- Trzaska, Vandermark, Zimpel

Recorded the Reed Trio (Mikolaj Trzaska-sax/clarinet, Ken Vandermark-sax/clarinet, Waclaw Zimpel-clarinet/taragato) at The Hideout in Chicago, as part of the Resonance Ensemble Festival.

03.02.2011-  Broo, Rempis, Zerang

Recorded the first “Ad Hoc Unit” of the Resonance Ensemble Festival (Magnus Broo-trumpet, Devin Hoff-bass, Dave Rempis-sax, Michael Zerang-drums) at The Hideout in Chicago, as part of the Resonance Ensemble Festival.

03.02.2011-  Inner Ear

Recorded Inner Ear (Tim Daisy-drums, Per-Ake Holmlander-tuba, Steve Swell-trombone, Mikolaj Trzaska-sax/clarinet) at The Hideout in Chicago, as part of the Resonance Festival.

03.03.2011-  Daisy, Vandermark

Recorded Tim Daisy (drums) Ken Vandermark (sax/clarinet) Duo at Elastic in Chicago, as part of the Resonance Ensemble Festival. 

03.03.2011-  Broo, Holmlander, Rempis, Swell, Zimpel

Recorded the second “Ad Hoc Unit” of the Resonance Ensemble Festival (Magnus Broo-trumpet, Per-Ake Holmlander-tuba, Dave Rempis-sax, Steve Swell-trombone, Waclaw Zimpel-clarinet/taragato) at Elastic in Chicago.

03.03.2011-  Zerang Trio

Recorded the Michael Zerang Trio (Devin Hoff-bass, Mikolaj Trzaska-sax/clarinet, Michael Zerang-drums) at Elastic in Chicago, as part of the Resonance Ensemble Festival. 

03.04.2011-  Four

Recorded Four (Tim Daisy-drums, Devin Hoff-bass, Dave Rempis-sax, Waclaw Zimpel-clarinet/taragato) at The Sugar Maple in Milwaukee, as part of the Resonance Ensemble Festival. 

03.04.2011-  Broo, Holmlander, Swell

Recorded the Brass Trio of Magnus Broo (trumpet), Per-Ake Holmlander (tuba), and Steve Swell (trombone) at The Sugar Maple in Milwaukee, as part of the Resonance Ensemble Festival. 

03.04.2011-  Resonance Ensemble

Recorded the third “Ad Hoc Unit” of the Resonance Ensemble Festival, which included all members (Magnus Broo-trumpet, Tim Daisy-drums, Devin Hoff-bass, Per-Ake Holmlander-tuba, Dave Rempis-sax, Steve Swell-trombone, Mikolaj Trzaska-sax/clarinet, Ken Vandermark-sax/clarinet, Michael Zerang-drums, Waclaw Zimpel-clarinet,taragato) of the ensemble at The Sugar Maple in Milwaukee. 

03.05.2011-  Resonance Ensemble

Recorded the full Resonance Ensemble (Magnus Broo-trumpet, Tim Daisy-drums, Devin Hoff-bass, Per-Ake Holmlander-tuba, Dave Rempis-sax, Steve Swell-trombone, Mikolaj Trzaska-sax/clarinet, Ken Vandermark-sax/clarinet, Michael Zerang-drums, Waclaw Zimpel-clarinet,taragato) at The Sugar Maple in Milwaukee.

03.06.2011-  Resonance Ensemble

Recorded the full Resonance Ensemble (Magnus Broo-trumpet, Tim Daisy-drums, Devin Hoff-bass, Per-Ake Holmlander-tuba, Dave Rempis-sax, Steve Swell-trombone, Mikolaj Trzaska-sax/clarinet, Ken Vandermark-sax/clarinet, Michael Zerang-drums, Waclaw Zimpel-clarinet,taragato) at The Chicago Cultural Center. 

03.16.2011-  Lytton, Vandermark, Wooley

Recorded Paul Lytton (percussion), Ken Vandermark (reeds), and Nate Wooley (trumpet) at The Hideout in Chicago.

01.19.2011-  Abrams, Bishop, Drake, Parker

Recorded Joshua Abrams (bass), Jeb Bishop (trombone), Hamid Drake (drums), and Jeff Parker (guitar) at the Hideout in Chicago. 

01.22.2011- Daver on Never Not Funny

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold and the ghosts of the Congress Theater to come out and support Never Not Funny.  The band (Daver- guitar & vocals, Paul Garcia- drums & vocals, Steev M.F. Custer- bass) absolutely had as much fun as the fans.

12.29.2010-  DKV Trio

Recorded DKV Trio (Hamid Drake-drums, Kent Kessler-bass, Ken Vandermark-reeds) at the Hideout in Chicago.

12.30.2010-  DKV Trio

Recorded DKV Trio (Hamid Drake-drums, Kent Kessler-bass, Ken Vandermark-reeds) at the Sugar Maple in Milwaukee. 

11.24.2010-  Ballister

I was fortunate enough to record the final concert of the recent Ballister (Fred Lonberg-Holm-cello, Paal Nilssen-Love-drums, Dave Rempis-horns) tour, at The Hideout in Chicago.  We were all fortunate enough to have the Mac Daddy not crash on us (in any manner). 

10.15.2010-  Big’n Tape Restoration

I’m in the process of transferring some old tape to digital for an upcoming compilation of unreleased Big’n material.  The tapes are in DISASTROUS condition.  Of course, it probably did not help that these were found in the back of Bill’s pickup, under some naturally cured deer jerky.  A lot of people are suffering from the delusion that analog tape is better, but right now, as you read this, all of your tapes are erasing themselves… and there’s nothing you can do about it.

08.24.2010-  Vandermark 5

Recorded the Vandermark 5 (Tim Daisy-drums, Kent Kessler-bass, Fred Lonberg-Holm-cello, Dave Rempis-saxophone, Ken Vandermark-reeds/compositions) at Elastic in Chicago.  This concluded a series of Vandermark 5 shows in the month of August, where new material was debuted.

07.14.2010-  Abrams, Bishop, Drake, Parker

Recorded “Reflections of Baba Fred Anderson”, featuring Joshua Abrams (bass), Jeb Bishop (trombone), Hamid Drake (drums), and Jeff Parker (guitar) at the Hideout in Chicago.

07.23.2010-  Extraordinary Popular Delusions

Okka Fest II kicked off with Extraordinary Popular Delusions (Jim Baker-piano & synth, Steve Hunt-drums, Brian Sandstrom-bass & electric guitar, Mars Williams-sax & autoharp). 

07.23.2010- Brotzmann, McPhee, Vandermark

Recorded Friday night’s second set, the intense and much anticipated reed trio of Peter Brotzmann, Joe McPhee, and Ken Vandermark.  Unfortunately, McPhee’s sax suffered from airline abuse and neglect, rendering it unusable.  Armed with a Vandermark loaner, however, he joined Brotzmann and Vandermark in a powerful performance that reminded the packed room exactly what the saxophone is capable of when placed in the right hands and mouths.

07.24.2010-  Kessler, McPhee, Zerang

Recorded the second day of Okka Fest, beginning with an afternoon performance at The Palm Tavern, also owned by Okka Disk founder Bruno Johnson.  Originally the trio (Kent Kessler-bass, Joe McPhee-sax, Michael Zerang-drums) was to feature the talents of jazz legend Fred Anderson, but Anderson passed away at the age of 81 one month prior.  Stepping up to fill in was Joe McPhee, who aptly captured the bittersweet mood when he stated, “I planned on being here today too, but I was going to be sitting there,” indicating the front row. 

07.24.2010-  The Engines

Saturday night I recorded The Engines (Jeb Bishop-trombone, Tim Daisy-drums, Nate McBride-bass, Dave Rempis-sax) at The Sugar Maple in Milwaukee.

07.24.2010-  GUTS

Saturday night’s headliner recording was GUTS (Peter Brotzmann-sax, Kent Kessler-bass, Joe McPhee- sax, Michael Zerang-drums), who all but blew the roof off of The Sugar Maple. 

07.25.2010-  Brotzmann

The final day of recording Okka Fest began with very little sleep but plenty of adrenaline.  Peter Brotzmann (reeds) opened with a solo set, but that did not stop me from using all five mics that were set up for the brass section of the next set. Though the back room of The Sugar Maple sounds very good, the front room is excellent. 

07.25.2010-  Topology

If you have 16 channels along for the ride, why not use ’em?  Last November, I recorded Ken Vandermark’s innovative arrangement of Joe McPhee compositions.  Due to a small stage and some technical difficulties, the recording was a challenge.  Now, in a repeat performance, Topology (Jason Adasiewicz-vibes, Josh Berman-cornet, Jeb Bishop-trombone, Tim Daisy-drums, Kent Kessler-bass, Fred Lonberg-Holm-cello, Joe McPhee-sax, Dave Rempis-sax, Ken Vandermark-reeds) sounded better than ever. 

07.27.2010-  Lake Holiday Tracks

In between sorting through Okka Fest recordings, I am composing and recording piano (acoustic & electric) tracks for some songs by Brad Davis of Lake Holiday.  I’ve been given a lot of freedom here, which is both a compliment and a vague assignment.  I believe the exact title of the collective files that Brad sent me was “Songs For Daver To Have His Way With”.  Dangerous words, my friend…

06.09.2010- Lonberg-Holm, Nilssen-Love, Rempis

Recorded Fred Lonberg-Holm (cello), Paal Nilssen-Love (drums), and Dave Rempis (reeds) at the Hideout in Chicago.

05.06.2010- Daisy, Vandermark

Recorded Tim Daisy (percussion) and Ken Vandermark (reeds) at The Velvet Lounge in Chicago.