Free Time

Way Out West

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:40:00 GMT

People, Places & Things makes a rare trip out west to play a couple shows:

Friday May 17 @ the Center for New Music In San Francisco
With the Darren Johnston Ensemble
55 Taylor Street, SF
8pm

Saturday May 18 @ The Penofin Jazz Festival 20th Anniversary
1820 West Road Potter Valley, CA
5pm

Good News...Bad News

Sat, 19 May 2012 00:15:00 GMT

The Good:

This week my new record Clean on the Corner (482 Music), featuring my band People, Places & Things, was released. We play a release show this Sunday at The Hungry Brain in Chicago.

The Bad:

Unfortunately due to incidents beyond my control our upcoming shows in Europe had to be cancelled (insert sad face here).

Thanks for those who tried to make it happen! I hope to make it up to you in the future. UPDATE: We're making our plans to be back in Europe in the fall of 2012! Stay tuned for concert updates.

Myth/Science

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 04:50:00 GMT

In the winter I was commissioned by the Experimental Sound Studio to create a performance that in some way used or was inspired by material contained in the 700 hours of the Sun Ra/El Saturn Audio Collection. This audio archive is a vast assortment of rehearsal tapes, masters, live recordings, speeches and poetry left behind by Sun Ra and manager Alton Abraham. Although an interesting proposition I was reluctant to dive into it since my working band People, Places & Things has gained much of it's success dealing with re-inventing and positioning the obscure Chicago hard bop scene circa 1954-60. With that in mind I wasn't interested in developing a reputation for re-igniting the past.

After some thinking and discussions with collaborator Jason Adasiewicz I came up with the notion of forming a large group to perform this project AND to specifically enlist his talents to accomplish the task. The first step in the process was to completely dismiss the idea of commenting or honoring Sun Ra. Neither one of us are fanatics and there's not much more anyone is going to add to the discussion of the man and the legend. The more interesting idea was of creating new music using someone's un-finished, un-wanted and abandoned material. In my mind it doesn't matter who's tapes these are, it's just source material , in this case it happens to be Sun Ra.

The aggregation of musicians was another selling point since this project, and it's debut performance at the Chicago Jazz Fest, would give me the ability and excuse to convene these members.

Greg Ward – alto sax

Taylor Ho Bynum – cornet

Ingrid Laubrock – tenor sax

Tomeka Reid – cello

Mary Halvorson – guitar

Jason Adasiewicz – vibes, arrangements

Nick Butcher – electronics

Tomas Fujiwara – drums

Mike Reed – drums, electronics

The band is basically comprised of a long time group of mine, Loose Assembly, and a collection of New York based peers that have a similar artistic and career trajectories. This was an important feature not only to further musical relationships but to showcase a stylistic and generational density that exists beyond the confines of our locales and beyond the minds of those who measure one against the other.

The Music:
The material is derived from one rehearsal tape marked “NY 1961” featuring Ra, John Gilmore and Ronnie Boykins. Stretching just over one hour in length the tape seems more of a stream of consciousness songwriting session with few details worked out but many ideas played through. Adasiewicz was especially adept at identifying melodic and harmonic themes. Out of this we came up with outlines of tune material and ideas for structures that gave way to a more complete interpretation of the nebulous material. Adasiewicz set his intense skill set to work coming up with orchestration parts to expand the sounds we originally heard from the trio on the tape to a tentet alignment that had yet to play together. This project might be mine in concept but is definitely his in execution and orchestration. Additionally I went back through the archive to find interesting source material which Nick Butcher will manipulate in his handmade "electronic" set up (comprised of cheap consumer goods such as tape players, radios, record players) and a computer. This further uses the archive as collage sample snippets and improvisational background material.

This project was possible with the support of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

P.S.
The name is an obvious homage to early titles for the Sun Ra band...Sun Ra and His Myth Science Arkestra

A short list of lists

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:45:00 GMT

The Village Voice Top 50 Jazz Records for 2010
Stories and Negotiations #29
Sun Rooms #39

New York Times Albums of The Year by Ben Ratliff
Sun Rooms #7

New York Times Top Songs of The Year by Ben Ratliff
Third Option #10 (from Stories and Negotiations)

Chicago Reader Top Albums of 2010 by Peter Margasak
Sun Rooms #11
Stories and Negotiations #17

NPR Music Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2010 by Patrick Jarenwattananon
Stories and Negotiations #10

The Examiner Top Jazz Albums of 2010 by Neil Tesser
Stories and Negotiations #9
Stories and Negotiations #2 (Chicago release for 2010)

Boston Phoenix Top 10 Jazz Stories of 2010 by Jon Garelick

Best of...The Hungry Brain

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 08:25:00 GMT

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } In January of 2001 Josh Berman and myself began the Sunday Transmission series at the Hungry Brain. Since then we've presented different Jazz and Improvised Music every week and combined our efforts into the Umbrella Music group, which programs different concert around Chicago each week. After many late night discussions about how to celebrate the 10 year anniversary we came up with an idea to make the festivities last an entire year. Starting on January 9th, 2011 we will showcase a special “best of” night along the regular weeks of programming. We also hope to record each show and release a limited edition compilation recording along with a hand made book and possible video. Here's a list of some confirmed shows that will be part of the anniversary program. January 9 AGOGIC featuring Andrew D'Angelo and Coung Vu February 20 Available Jelly April 10 Misha Mengleberg Solo & Han Bennink Solo May 15 The Engines with John Tchicai July 31 Jeff Parker Trio with Chris Lopes and Chad Taylor September 11 Lotte Anker, Craig Taborn & Gerald Cleaver October Fred Lonberg Holm Valentine Trio December People, Places & Things

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:30:00 GMT

On November 20 my group Loose Assembly will do its' first performance in over a year. The last show was part of the 2009 Umbrella Music festival and featured special guest Roscoe Mitchell. That concert was recorded and released on 482 Music last week and this upcoming show will act as a CD release for that album Empathetic Parts. Although, most CD release concerts showcase the material from the recording I believe we'll take this opportunity to try some new stuff as well. The program has not been completely set, but the creative faucet is open and it will be unique to the event and possibly a new recording in the making. The free concert itself will be on the Pritzker stage at Millennium Park, but don't worry the show IS NOT OUTDOORS. The fantastically designed band shell allows for a large window to drop down and the entire performance and audience will be encapsulated on the stage itself.

Show at 4pm doors at 3pm. FREE!

In other news, People, Places & Things has finished the record we started working on 3 weeks ago. I'm especially happy with the tune I wrote while on the road in funky hotel rooms. The entire band contributed to the arrangement with guest Josh Berman on cornet. The new piece, entitled House of Three Smiles, is derived from the solo Jason Adasiewicz takes on his tune I Hope She is Awake. His tune was of course to his love and wife Val, but gained a second meaning when they produced a beautiful daughter – Isabella Rose. He would soon introduce the tune with this new angle as well. As an envious admirer of these close friends and adopted family I thought of how to make the tune my own and remembered the poem by W.S. Merwin – Song of Three Smiles. This recreation has its' own personal value which can be more fully understood by reading the poem. Thanks to Mike Stevens for introducing me to Merwin and to Isabella for letting me know that a good banana can make everything better. You can check out the new tune here.

New idea on the same old question

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 04:25:00 GMT

Over the last few weeks I've done a good handful of interviews mostly due to the tour that People, Places & Things just concluded. Although it's nice to get some attention to help promote the shows it becomes tiresome answering the same questions. It makes me wonder how much homework the interviewer did in preparation. Most, if not all, of the answers to the questions are already out there in interviews and reviews of the People, Places & Things recordings released since 2008. The question that seems particularly bothersome is some version of

“what made you want to re-investigate the music of Chicago circa 1954-60?”
referencing to my band People, Places & Things and the three records that take a snapshot of Chicago Jazz, past & present."

My first thought is to just say “read the fucking liner notes!” or take a look on the web at some of the material that's already out there. Of course I'm not that crass, and do my best to explain the idea...again.

Something occurred to me after one of these interviews which seems to answer a deeper meaning to the question. If we're really doing our best as creative people we are essentially saying something about right now despite the source material. A great interpretation of a Jazz standard can only be accomplished when the artist makes the piece their own. My attempts with People, Places & Things' first three recordings are also commenting on recognition right now.

At best it is an attempt to get people, especially critics and musicians, to look at all that is happening and possible outside of the world of New York – in other communities especially their own. The cultural capital that does or could exist in other places is essential to this observation so that these moments and places don't wither. It is the building blocks for communities, artists and the infrastructures that surround them. More specifically for me it is important that another moment in Chicago is not under recognized or under represented. Of course this applies to more than Chicago and more than the Jazz and improvised music world, but all aesthetic movements. As this tour came to an end I am more convinced that the Bostons, Detroits, D.Cs of the world have lost the ability to sustain a scene because of a myopic sense of what and where the music is most valued. For those of us who venture out to these places it is important that the community of fans, artists and documentors are healthy and vibrant. If not it makes what we do more difficult and maybe even slightly pointless. This will only be possible when all of those entities recognize the value in itself and in the possibilities for other people, places & things. I was highly impressed by the scene surrounding the Clown Lounge in St. Paul, which seems to have their own valued scene and a commitment to itself. Thanks to J.T. Bates for hosting us and all of the folks up there that are a great model of what is possible.

NYC show has moved!

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:15:00 GMT

**This show has been moved**

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Drom

New York, NY

(212) 777-1156

w ww.boomboomnyc.com

18+

Darius Jones Trio open

$10.00 with Student ID, $15.00 General Public

Doors 6:30PMShow starts at 7:00PM

It's been a while so here's some news

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 01:05:00 GMT

FIRST:
On the People, Places and Things front, we have some upcoming tour dates in North America!

Oct 13, 2010 9:30 pm The Rex, Toronto
Oct 14, 2010 10:00 pm Divan Orange, Montreal
Oct 15, 2010 8:00 pm Lily Pad, Cambridge, MA
Oct 16, 2010 7:00 pm Drom, New York
Oct 18, 2010 8:00 pm An Die Musik, Baltimore, MD
Oct 19, 2010 10:30 pm Black Cat, Washington D.C.
Oct 20, 2010 10:00 pm 201212, Charlotte, NC
Oct 22, 2010 10:00 pm The Bishop, Bloomington, IN
Oct 24, 2010 9:00 pm UW Madison, Madison, WI
Oct 25, 2010 10:00 pm The Clown Lounge, St. Paul, MN

Also, I (and PP&T) have a developing schedule of shows in Europe through December 2010 which you can see on the shows page. We've also hit the studio again with an almost complete record. I did not intend on recording so soon, and actually was meaning to take a good year break from People, Places & Things. Doing three records in the last twenty months is a lot for any band/project. However, a good chance arose to record with pianist Craig Taborn who was in town and...well I basically got the creative itch and in a week wrote five new tunes that needed to be recorded asap. Here's a little sample to hold you over till we get the record just right. *The one good thing about maturing is the ability to be better at editing yourself, which includes knowing when not to rush things without letting the passing moment slip by.

NEXT: A live recording of a piece entitled Empathetic Parts will be released on 482 Music on October 20^th.

Recorded live at the 2009 Umbrella Music Festival, it features Roscoe Mitchell as special guest as well as a composition by the great drummer Steve McCall – I'll Be Right Here Waiting – originally on the record Air Time (Threadgill, Hopkins, McCall).

AND:
The project My Silence (Nick Butcher, Jason Stein, Mike Reed with Sharon Van Etten) will finally release a vinyl only album on 482 Music most likely available in February of 2011. You can listen to it streaming here.

MISC:
I'm happy and humbled by the enthusiasm and praise given to the new Jason Adasiewicz record Sun Rooms (Delmark) which I was fortunate enough to be a part of. A great review by Ben Ratliff in the New York Times is quite insightful.

I'm also very happy and proud of my colleague and friend, cornetist Josh Berman who had a very nice feature in a recent issue of Downbeat (We've come along way since the Diversey Days!).

Things I'm listening to:
Ólöf Arnalds – Vid Og Vid
Joshua Abrams – Natural Information
Roscoe Mitchell – Old Quartet
Chet Baker – Embraceable You
The Millennium - Begin

Documenting A Brief Moment in Civilazation

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:25:00 GMT

Clifford Jordan (left) and John Neely (right) at a South Side recreation center, around 1949

When I originally conceived the idea for my quartet People, Places & Things the original focus was on investigating and reinventing some of the under-recorded, under-recognized aspects of Chicago jazz circa 1954-60. Not in a literal way, but in way that was informed by a modern progressive “jazz” unit. I took it on in the same way that a Ph.D candidate might work on a dissertation - conducting interviews, assembling old newspaper clippings, and of course buying (and borrowing) recordings. For me this couldn't be a tribute record, but rather like jumping into an ocean.

That being said, I'm still in the midst of this “dissertation” with the recent release of About Us (482 Music) and the forthcoming third record in the series, Stories and Negotiations, bringing three ubiquitous members of Chicago in the 50's into the fold (due out in April on 482 Music).

In the process I've taken to daily reading from the extensive website The Red Saunders Research Foundation. Although named after the noted drummer/bandleader, the site is an extensive data base of a forgotten time period in Chicago music:

"Since 1997, the Red Saunders Research Foundation has been dedicated to increasing our knowledge of the musicians who filled the clubs and recording studios of Chicago with great music during the two decades after World War II.

Some musicians from Chicago were appreciated by the fans early on, like Gene Ammons and Johnny Griffin--yet their full worth only gradually become apparent to jazz critics over the years. Others were not widely appreciated until much later in their careers, like John Gilmore, Clifford Jordan, Norman Simmons, or Muhal Richard Abrams. Far too many others have been forgotten."

It has proven to be an invaluable asset to me in not only learning about venues, musicians and labels, but also giving leads and depictions of the state of the music industry. From the usage of ads placed in newspapers such as the Chicago defender or the records acquired through the musicians Union, the website does more than keep a history of music, but rather points to the social/cultural development in a time period of one of America's great cities.

To hear how People, Places & Things have worked to make the music of this time period our own check out these streams:
Proliferation
About Us
Stories & Negotiations

Something to do in November

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:10:00 GMT

Over the past couple of years I've gotten the chance to perform very frequently in Poland. To non-musicians there is a curiosity as to why? Trying to explain in words the vibrant energy and reception that I and other Chicago based musicians have experienced wouldn't quite do it justice – you would have to experience it first hand. I know that not everyone can just make the trip, but maybe the best example of the unique environment and connection to Chicago is the Made In Chicago event that will take place in Poznan, Poland this November. In its' fourth year the event showcases a wide array of contemporary Chicago Jazz and improvised music. I had the extreme pleasure of performing there last November and this year's edition seems to have out done itself. Conceptually the event takes aspects of the Chicago landscape (events like the Saxophone summit, presentation of new commissions, workshops for students) and transplants it in the western Polish town. The event is the brain child of Wojtek Juszczak (one of Europe's most largest supporters and promoters of Chicago Jazz) and Jazz institute Executive Director Lauren Deutsch. The two have worked together as programming partners with Juszczak staff at the cultural center Estrada Pozna?ska the taking the lead on production. The 2009 edition show (see below for full line up). Per usual there is the featured blowout set this year presented by the fantastic saxophonist and composer Ed Wilkerson. The rest of the schedule includes representatives of the AACM, top-shelf local working bands, and ad hoc groups built around the visiting artists. A festival like this does more than give Chicago musicians the chance to play on foreign soil —it also creates a international brand and identity to the exciting things they’re doing with Chicago jazz. Friday, 20 November 2009, 8:00 p.m., Scena na Pi?trze Theatre 8 Bold Souls Edward Wilkerson saxes Mwata Bowden saxes, clarinets Tomeka Reid cello Ike Jackson trombone Gerald Powell tuba Robert Griffin trumpet Dushun Mosley drums Harrison Bankhead bass Friday, 20 November 2009, 10:00 p.m.,Blue Note Club Willie Pickens Trio Willie Pickens piano Dushun Mosley drums Lorin Cohen, bass Saturday, 21 November 2009, 8:00 p.m., Scena na Pi?trze Theatre Indigo Trio Nicole Mitchell flutes Harrison Bankhead bass Hamid Drake drums Saturday, 21 November 2009, 10:00 p.m., Blue Note Club Saalik Ziyad The 5 after 7 Project Saalik Ziyad vocal Fred Jackson saxes Shaun Johnson trumpet Dushun Mosley drums Lorin Cohen, bass Willie Pickens piano Sunday, 22 November 2009, 8:00 p.m., Scena na Pi?trze Theatre FINAL CONCERT ED WILKERSON’S CHICAGO ENSEMBLE Edward Wilkerson saxes, composer, conductor Mwata Bowden saxes, clarinets, composer, conductor Tomeka Reid cello Ike Jackson trombone Gerald Powell tuba Robert Griffin trumpet Saalik Ziyad vocal Fred Jackson saxes Shaun Johnson trumpet Willie Pickens piano Dushun Mosley drums Harrison Bankhead bass Nicole Mitchell flutes Lorin Cohen, bass Friday, 27 November 2009 , 8.30 PM Blue Note ORBERT DAVIS QUINTET Orbert Davis trumpet Ari Brown tenor sax Ryan Cohan piano Stewart Miller bass Ernie Adams drums Saturday, 28 November 2009 8 PM – concert Aula NOVA - The Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznan / Music Conservatory/ CHICAGO JAZZ PHILHARMONIC “Collective Creativity” ORBERT DAVIS – conductor, trumpet, composer Stewart Miller - bass Ernie Adams - drums Ryan Cohan - piano Ari Brown – reeds Mwata Bowden – reeds Nicole Mitchell – flutes

A New CD & Preview Night

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:05:00 GMT

After a bit of a delay the new People, Places & Things record has finally arrived. Instead of doing a CD release show, we’ve decided to do a CD preview event at the Hideout Wednesday August 5. We’ll get started at 10 pm sharp (seriously) and with the entrance fee of $12 you’ll receive a copy of the new album. The official street date won’t be until October, but by that time I’m hoping to have the third installment of this project finished.

Below are the liner notes from the record to further explain where People, Places & Things are at in our development.

The original focus of our quartet was to investigate and reinvent some of the under-recorded, under-recognized aspects of the vibrant Chicago jazz scene circa 1954-60. On Proliferation, we brought ideas and new approaches to music of another time. This second offering is primarily About Us. (A forthcoming third document will bring us full circle; inviting principal players of that past to share in the ideas of today.)

To borrow from both Muhal Richard Abrams and Sun Ra (two of the most significant musicians in the Chicago legacy), numerology isn't lost in the underlying concept here. On Proliferation we created three pieces dedicated to places and people in Chicago of the 50's. On this record About Us, we’ve invited three important and influential members of Chicago's improvised music community to join in.

I was fortunate enough to perform with David Boykin in his group The Expanse, as well as an improvising trio with bassist Karl Seigfried (later turned quartet with flutist Nicole Mitchell). David may be the most innovative composer walking the streets of Chicago. His boundless energy and tone speak directly to the great Chicago tenor legacy. I'm forever grateful for my musical growth due to being part of his sonic explorations.

Jeb Bishop has established himself as one of the most respected trombonists in the jazz/improvised world. As one of the most ubiquitous figures on the Chicago scene, his big, punchy tone and instinctive sense of melody sets a high standard for a future generation of improvisers.

Although Jeff Parker is one of the most highly regarded musicians in Chicago, his greatness is more than just his musical prowess (I know that seems impossible). When anyone speaks of Jeff they first refer to his unique sound, which can traverse any terrain and is never mistaken. However, Jeff's true gift is an idea: the idea that you can operate in any genre, place, or setting without being mistaken for anything other than your own “sound.”

I hope that this second of three records takes us closer to the idea of our own “sound.”

M. Reed

The AACM ON THE MOVE

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:25:00 GMT

In 2005 I was among a new group of musicians that was inducted to the AACM. In the spring of 2008 one of the AACM’s most noted members delivered to the world his long awaited text and “history “ of the AACM. George Lewis’ book, A Power Stronger Than Itself, not only serves to recount, document and analyze the success and struggle of the organization, but also to set forth a gauntlet of challenge for the future of this acclaimed and influential body. Now in it’s fourth decade the organization has once again positioned itself to display the strength, skill and creativeness that is the heart of our engagement in the communal experience of music and spirituality.

I was honored enough to be nominated and then elected Vice Chairperson for the organization. It also marked a historical moment for the organization since three of the five offices elected were filled by women. The total executive committee now consists of:

Nicole Mitchell – Chairperson
Mike Reed – Vice Chairperson
Tomeka Reid – Treasurer
Saalik Ziyad – Secretary
Coco Elyeses – Dean of the School.

We've set forth our goals for the forthcoming year and are hoping to reinvigorate the organization. The first sign of our new regime is This weekend's Nomadic Sound Experiment, a new AACM performance series which I'm heading up. This bi-monthly series will be traveling showcases and feature two performances at each event. The goal is to present concerts in a variety of settings around the Chicago land area (hence the Nomadic title), emphasize original music or concept, partner with arts organizations that will help promote the events and provide production infrastructure, reach out to new audiences (from Highland Park to Tinley Park and then some).

The first installment will take place this Saturday:

the AACM Presents
Nomadic Sound Experiment #1:
7pm June 13th, 2009
The Southside Community Art Center
3831 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL

Set I
DEE ALEXANDER'S EVOLUTION ENSEMBLE
Dee Alexander – vocals
James Sander – violin
Tomeka Reid – cello
Junius Paul – bass

Set II
THE NICOLE MITCHELL TRIO
Nicole Mitchell – flutes
Tomeka Reid – cello
Jovia Armstrong – percussion

Transition

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:45:00 GMT

I got news today that Lorenzo Brower passed away back in March. For anyone that was fortunate enough to have been at Fred Anderson's original Velvet Lounge Lorenzo was known as one of the old regulars. For much of his later life he was confined to a wheelchair, but it never kept him from hanging out at the Velvet as late and as often as possible. He was nothing less than a vocally opinionated man that didn't pass up a chance to talk up the ladies. He also never seemed to fade in his ability to make himself heard to people on the bandstand, especially when throwing out vocal encouragement ...”ah yeah drummer man, that's it!”

His encouraging vocals (and sometimes accompanying vocals) was a sure sign of a happening set, Lorenzo's quick exit would be a definite way to find out if things weren't happening. I played the old Velvet many times, but none as memorable as when I'd play there with The David Boykin Expanse. Lorenzo would never let David end a night unless he played his song (“that one tune I like”) Big and Fine. David would always agree, there was no way you could say no because he truly did love it.

People, Places & Things recently recorded Big and Fine with David Boykin. Here's the track, which I'll dedicate to Lorenzo, RIP.

People, Places & Things - Charleston show canceled

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:36:02 GMT

Sorry folks,
I've never had to cancel a show before, and am sorry to do so with such late notice. Due to some last minute conflicts our show at the Charleston in Bucktown has been canceled for this Saturday (4/18/09).

I hope to be able to give you a full feature performance in Chicago later this spring.

PPT at OPT

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:05:00 GMT

Over the last two years I’ve performed in Poland on 6 different trips. In just about every instance I have in some way either performed in the town of Wroclaw, or with musicians and artists from there. During my first trip, with Rob Mazurek, I was able to make the acquaintance of trumpeter Artur Majewski and drummer Kuba Suchar. The two had established a long time Chicago influenced quartet called Robotobibok and a newer duo Mikrokolektyw.
Through these two like minded musicians, I (and others Chicagoans) have befriended an association of musicians, artists, photographers and organizers that mirros a spirit of cultural development and community that can be seen in Chicago. Working out of a three story building, the community seems connected under the OPT organization (a multi-genre arts organization). OPT has been the primary venue that I have performed at when in Wroclaw, at which they house dedicated recording and filming equipment. In addition the organization hosts varied arts workshops, plays, and rents space to apiring artists. Looking towards the future I’m hoping to be able to play host in Chicago to some of these artists, the duo of Mikrokolektyw is being scheduled to perform in Chicago this coming September.
Check out an mp3 from their forthcoming record here

The hospitality, creativeness, ingenuity of the folks associated with OPT makes it no wonder why returning to Poland is such a pleasure.

Above Photo:
Here are SOME of the friends from Wrocalw from left to right
OPT Organizer Dawid Bargenda, Drummer Kuba Suchar, Trumpeter Artur Majewski, Photographer Bartek Szewczykowski, Vibraphonist Marcin Ciupidro, Sound engineer Michal Kupicz

UPDATE: From My last post

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:10:00 GMT

Thanks to all for your kind thoughts, wishes and concern.

One thing I failed to mention in my last post:
To show some type of gratitude to the the "officer" who helped us out during the riot, the best that we could offer was a copy of our CD. His english was less than "ideal" so we didn't even get his name. Well it turns out that he found us through our label, 482 Music.

He sent his best wishes.

Thank you Petr!

Here's what he posted:

Hi friends, your music is very nice, Thanks for your CD. I hope your travel to Poland was less problem.This day in Prerov was crazy day! It is not normal in Czech Republic! :-)

Nice to meet you. Good Luck!

Petr Kozak

Same old shit...but with Nazis

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Sorry, but since I'm not the greatest writer below is the best way that I could report on the events of April 3, 2009. You can see a shaky clip that we uploaded to you tube here. This might give you a better sense of what this looked like before things got crazy.

I had been joking to the rest of the guys in the band that today, Saturday April 3, would be a “character builder.” This was mainly because of the long travel day, estimated at 13 hours. The day started out with a 7 am ride from Szehcfahrer to Budapest. We were lucky enough to share a compartment with a nice retired couple from Australia. Part two of the day had us change trains in Breclaw, in The Czech Republic (which we needed to ride to Olomouc). After about 30 minutes the train conductor informed us that we needed to get off at an earlier stop to make the connecting train to our final destination of Krakow. We took his helpful advice, thinking that train schedules do change often, especially in Eastern Europe.

We exited the train in the small town of Prevov, CZ finding that we had 2.5 hours until the our connecting train to Krakow. It was decided that we would try to venture into the town and find a nice late lunch and burn some time. As we walked out of the train station we recognized swat team riot police mounting in front the of the station. Thinking not too much of it we continued out of the station looking at some of the shops and restaurants surrounding the station, however they all seemed to be closed (odd for a Saturday afternoon right?). As we proceeded further we found even more police in full riot gear and finally one stopped us and relayed that a neo-Nazi skinhead rally was happening and that we should go back to the train station.

Of course without haste we hauled our asses back to the station, believing that we would be safe there since the rally would probably be headed to some type of town square or city hall. As we retuned to the station armored vehicles and attack dogs were mounting and our nervousness began to build. We also began to notice an increasing amount of young bald men in black clothingand combat boots circling around the area we were huddled at. The suspicious behavior was reinforced when we saw one of them coming into “check train schedules” holding a bullhorn.

Not knowing what to do for the next 2 hours we really started to get freaked. That’s when Tim Haldeman went to the front of the station and saw a few hundred skinheads amassed outside of the station and a line of swat team police in front of the station doors.

Of course this didn’t sit well and was even further freakish when finally we heard the sounds of chanting from the street, within minutes we heard loud booms (which turned out to be the sounds of tear gas being fired), within seconds hundreds of skinheads came running around the train station right towards us. The riot police followed them and we were swept up in the madness. The skinheads came prepared throwing bottles and rock, some even had gas masks. We were caught in a slight moment of in-decision wondering what to do – go towards the police or run from the whole situation. Going towards the police would, out us in the middle of an uncertain situation, so we ran quickly ran with all of our gear and luggage to the farthest part of the train yard trying to find some hiding spot or at least a band of police to stand behind. Being about 200 meters from where the action was really going down, we knew that if the skinheads spotted us the crowd would start moving towards us.

While standing out there wondering what to do we were approached by a large man who had walked over from a conference he was having with the high ranking police officials who were watching from a distance (it turned out he was part of the police force). Even though his English was poor, he stated the obvious and said we were not safe here. We followed him across the tracks and behind a wall where the police had set up a small command center. There was also a 2 story narrow building, which seemed to have been an emergency center for the station years ago. He was able to persuade a woman inside the building to let us hide in a small room until the riot ended. For about two hours we paced and worried about what was going to happen. Would we make our train? Would the mob find us? We were convinced that we needed a police escort to the platform when and if our train arrived. It was beyond unsettling. Especially for Greg Ward and myself seeing that we’ve been no stranger to racial issues (profiling, comments etc) but this was something different and in the time we had it made us contemplate the struggles of so many before. Of course for us, it is the American civil rights struggle that people seem to think is over since Obama is in office. But, especially in Europe (eastern and western) there are still the remnants of the Jew and gypsy struggles to survive, and in contradiction in the Middle East the Israeli/Palestinian struggle. I could go on and on, but at one point while cowering in a 12x12 room I asked Greg and myself would we have had the courage to march in Selma or even Chicago?

I don’t know if I can be grateful enough to those who did and continue to, but it really made that fact that I exist possible.

Back to the story.

Our friend who was helping us informed us that the riot had died down and that it was time to make it to the platform for out train. He arranged for us to be escorted by 3 swat team officers, however there were still skin head’s hanging in the train station area. Of course being spotted they ran for our platform and boarded the same train as we did. Even more unfortunately our seats were at the other end of the train from where we were boarding. Having to make our way down the narrow 3-foot corridor with the intention to bribing our way into the first class car we inevitably encountered the racists headed the opposite way. Of course they were searching us out for a confrontation. Greg led the way and since he’s slight and didn’t have much baggage he managed to squeeze by the line of bald Nazis headed towards us, while only being pushed and yelled at. I, however, having my cymbals did not manage to be able to slide through their advancement. Both Jason Roebke and Tim Haldeman were behind me and we were pushed as we tried to make it through and were shoved into a compartment that was occupied by a German family. It was obvious that they were try to egg us on into an altercation, but we deferred and simply got out of their way since they were “trying to pass”
Although we did get shoved and pushed around and at the most a few comments to the effect of

“Go back to your own country!”

The skinheads passed by and we left the compartment to continue hustling to the first class car, however as we moved towards the next car we found it to be locked! Of course we thought this was a set up because right behind us was the group of skinheads coming back for their second run at us. We were for sure this was going to be a showdown. Placing down our luggage we got ready throw down, but right at that moment the train conductor came from the other side fixed the door and let us through. He then proceeded to stop the skinheads from advancing while we were ushered into a reserved car with to polish women. We quickly closed the curtains and braced ourselves for more harassment. Since we drew the curtains to the compartment our sight lines were only able to see advancing feet. As were heard the chanting and shout of the skinheads at one end of the train we started to hear rumbling footsteps, finally 2 sets of black combat boots were noticed standing outside of our compartment. Suddenly the door flew open and the curtain thrown back….
The biggest sense of relief was felt we saw that the boots belonged to 2 swat team officers, who must have been assigned to the train to keep watch on us. For the next hour we kept our eyes open at each stop watching for skinheads exiting the train as we came closer and closer to crossing the Polish border. We’re not sure if they were kicked off by the Police or if they finally gave in and called it a day, but by the time we got to Poland 1.5 hours later, we finally had the courage to check out the train, which by that time had no signs of ever having been disrupted.

One question still seems to bother us. Why did a skinhead rally stop at the train station? It tunred out that the train we actually got on was going to Warsaw not Krakow. We had to get off in Katowice so that we could get a train finally to Krakow. Was the train conductor who told us to get off in Prevov in on it? Did the mob have pre-knowledge that two black men were going to be comng to the small train station there?

New Places, New Faces, New Things

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:46:52 GMT

We’ve just played three shows in towns that I’ve never been to before and did not know what to expect. Originally these set of shows were initiated by a request for the band (People, Places & Things) by the presenter David Braun in Maribor, Slovenia. I was flattered by the invite, but it was really out of the way of what we were planning. He thought so highly of the Proliferation record that he took it upon himself to contact other promoters in the region. Hence we were able to play Vienna, Maribor and then Szechvaherar in Hungary.

The excitement was well worth it, Heinz Henning in Austria turned a traditional Viennese beer hall into a packed jazz listening venue. Levente Dudas in Szechavherar, didn’t let us lift a finger to move our own bags and took every opportunity to attend to our needs (and anything we didn’t need). It’s incredibly flattering to have these promoters so excited and proud to have us perform at the venues. It’s a true labor of love and one that’s really appreciated. What’s also shocking is the Fans (yes I said fans) that come out and buy CDs. We had visitors from s far as 200 km and in one week we’ve sold 80 records (people still buy them in Europe!)

In Maribor, David Braun was the ultimate pro, completely attentive and cool. He seems to have similar responsibilities in music programming as I do (working on regular music series of Jazz/Improvised music and organizing festivals and funding). I felt an automatic kinship and understanding of what his day must be like having us come to town while having to juggle 20 different things. Thanks a lot David, we’ll see you next month in
Cerkno!

Pictures:
PP&T with Heinz in Vienna

Home away from home

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:37:22 GMT

I have always had an interesting relationship with The Netherlands. My mom primarily grew up in Holland after her family emigrated from Indonesia, post WW II (Indonesia being a former Dutch colony). Although, separated by thousands of miles there has always been a close relationship with that side of my family especially with the aspect of having lived in Germany till I was five and spending some summers there as a pre teen. Over the last six years that relationship has grown, not only to family but also to an ever-growing network of friends and musical colleagues.

This couldn’t have been more apparent then a recent show at Zaal 100 in Amsterdam. To those of you from Chicago, it can be best described as a combination of Myopic (all sets are meant to be improvised), Elastic (the small performances space lends itself to seated audience listening) and The Hungry Brain (there’s a bar outside of the performance room that lends itself to extended hanging out).

Although the Bimhuis may be apex of jazz/impro performance in The Netherlands, Zaal 100 is the real soul. It can really act as a meeting & collaboration place for visiting artist and a “workshop” for the rich musical scene of the city. The ever so modest, but fantastic trumpet/cornetist Eric Boeren programs the Tuesday improv series and last Tuesday People, Places & Things mixed it up with some of the great players from the city including Eric, the ubiquitous trombonist Wolter Weirbos, one of today’s most exciting keyboardists Cor Fuhler and the young energetic keyboardist Oscar Jan Hoogland (who seems to be leading a new generation of exciting Amsterdam BASED improvisers – not exclusively Dutch).

Beyond the great crew that we mixed and matched with the crowd was also full of musical friends such as reedist Michael Moore and the beautiful drummer Michael Vatcher. Colleagues/organizers/mangers Carolyn Muntz and Danille Oosterop.

And then there were the family and friends, in addition to these folks and just simple listeners, my brother Donnell, “cousin” Robil and old High school classmate Brendan O’Connor (with a herd of work colleagues) were present to listen and hang as well.

Since I see many of these musicians multiple times a year and I’m in Amsterdam at least 3 times a year I’ve started feeling that it really is my second city. From the family relations around the country, to the found relationships of musicians (many of whom I was great fans of before meeting) and the new friends and colleagues, I don’t think that there is any place on earth that would make me feel more at home.

Thanks Eric for putting the night together and of course to Ron for his indispensable work in producing shows at Zaal 100, the Bim and I’m sure many other spots.

PICTIRURES:
TOP PP&T WITH ERC "ERIL" BOEREN
BOTTOM GREG WITH MICHAEL MOORE