Saxophone Festival @ Cornelia Street cafe, July 1-4, 6-8, 16-19 July 4, 2009

CORNELIA STREET CAFÉ PRESENTS

A FESTIVAL of FESTIVALS
Saxophone Festival
July 1-4, 6-8, 16-19,

Join Cornelia Street café for A Festival of Festivals, an unpredictable, expansive, exciting series of mini festivals in July and August For a full schedule of all the festivals please visit www.corneliastreetcafe.com. As part of July A Festival of Festivals presents the Saxophone Festival, July 1-4, 6-8 & 16 – 19. Cornelia Street café is located at 29 Cornelia Street, A/C/D/B/F/V to West 4.

For the Saxophone Festival Cornelia Street has invited old friends and some new faces to lead us in a celebration of one of the most enigmatic instruments in jazz. Featuring terrific saxophonists such as Andrew D’Angelo, Jon Irabagon, Michael Blake, Matt Darriau and Loren Stillman among others, this unique festival will place the saxophone in the driving seat and, in doing so; will feature music that represents the broad spectrum of what is currently hot in New York.

Saxophone Festival Full Schedule, all shows are $10

July 1, 8:30pm – ROBIN VERHEYEN QUARTET
Robin Verheyen, saxophones; Ralph Alessi, trumpet; Eivind Opsvik, bass; Jeff Davis, drums

July 2, 8:30pm - JOHN O'GALLAGHER SEXTET
Russ Lossing, piano; Nate Radley, guitar; Aidan O'Donnell, bass; Jeff Hirshfield, drums; Russ Johnson, trumpet; John O'Gallagher, alto saxophone

July 3, 9 & 10:30pm - LOREN STILLMAN TRIO
Loren Stillman, alto saxophone, compositions; John Hébert, bass; Eric McPherson, drums

July 4, 9:00pm - IDEAL BREAD
Josh Sinton, baritone saxophone; Kirk Knuffke, trumpet; Reuben Radding, bass; Tomas Fujiwara, drums

July 6, 8:30pm - SAXOPHONE DUOS
Jon Iragabon, alto saxophone; Mike Pride, drums

July 7, 8:30pm - JANELLE REICHMAN GROUP
Janelle Reichman, tenor saxophone, clarinet; Philip Dizack, trumpet; Tomoko Ohno, piano; Daniel Foose, bass; Will Clark, drums

July 8, 8:30pm - KIM BOCK QUARTET - CD RELEASE
Kim Bock, saxophone; David Smith, trumpet; Adam Armstrong, bass; Peter Retzlaff, drums

July 16, 8:30pm - ADAM KOLKER-SCOTT WENDHOLT QUARTET
Adam Kolker, saxophones; Scott Wendholt, trumpet; Ugona Okegwo, bass; Victor Lewis, drums

July 17 9:00 & 10:30pm - ANDREW D'ANGELO'S GAY DISCO TRIO
Andrew D'Angelo, alto saxophone, bass clarinet; Trevor Dunn, bass; Jim Black, drums

July 18, 9:00 & 10:30pm - MICHAEL BLAKE TRIO
Michael Blake, saxophones; Ben Allison, bass; Daniel Freedman, drums

July 19, 8:30pm - MATT DARRIAU'S BALLIN' THE JACK
Matt Darriau, reeds; Andy Laster, reeds; Frank London, trumpet; Curtis Hasselbring, trombone; tba, piano; Joe Fitzgerald, bass; George Schuller, drums
About the Artists

July 1, 8:30pm – ROBIN VERHEYEN QUARTET
Robin Verheyen Quartet is the newest project of Belgian saxophonist and winner of the 2008 Django D'OrPrize, Robin Verheyen. His latest record Painting Space with pianist Bill Carrothers received rave reviews world-wide. For this his new quartet he will work with acclaimed trumpeter Ralph Alessi, bassist Thomas Morgan and Dutch drummer Flin van Hemmen.
'You didn't hear the name of Robin Verheyen yet? That will change... Since the maturity of his sound and the virtuosity of his phrasing on soprano as well as tenor will be much talked about, as well as the daring architecture of his compositions.'
- Jazzman France

July 2, 8:30pm - JOHN O'GALLAGHER SEXTET
John O'Gallagher's sextet will be performing new compositions exploring rhythmic structures and harmonies influenced by Serial, African and Indian music. Featuring Russ Lossing, Jeff Hirshfield, Russ Johnson, Nate Radley, and Aidan O'Donnel.

Today in the world of modern jazz and improvised music there is an imperative for artists to strive for individuality while embodying the developments in jazz and music as a whole. New York, for the past decade, has been a hotbed of creative music for artists who are concerned with the continued development of the jazz vocabulary. As one of these artists, John O'Gallagher has drawn attention for his unique voice and artistic vision.

"The music spoken here is vibrant, fresh and perhaps the harbinger of a newfound stylistic vantage point."
- Jazz Review

July 3, 9 & 10:30pm - LOREN STILLMAN TRIO
Award winning alto saxophonist and composer Loren Stillman brings a new project to Cornelia Street Café, featuring Eric McPherson, drums and John Hébert, bass. The trio will play Stillman’s original compositions which loosely guide improvised sections by aural and written cues. Stillman is known for his work with Charlie Haden, John Abercrombie, Dave Liebman, Andy Milne’s DAPP Theory, Eivind Opsvik, and many others. Stillman recently received Chamber Music America’s “Award For Adventurous Programming.”
“Mr. Stillman reinforces his reputation as an alto saxophonist with an inquisitive relationship to jazz tradition.” - New York Times

July 4, 9pm –IDEAL BREAD
While primarily known as a practitioner of the soprano saxophone, Steve Lacy was also a prolific composer with well over three hundred pieces to his name. Josh Sinton first encountered this body of work when he studied with Lacy from 2002 to 2004. After moving to New York City in the summer of 2004 he began organizing informal playing sessions to try out some of Lacy’s themes. He quickly formed Ideal Bread with Kirk Knuffke, Reuben Radding and Tomas Fujiwara. Ideal Bread is a band that has gone on to be critically recognized as among the most cohesive in New York City's music scene. Their debut CD "The Ideal Bread" was named "Best Debut of 2008" by the Village Voice Critics' Poll and "Best Tribute CD of 2008" by All About Jazz-New York.

July 6, 8:30pm - SAXOPHONE DUOS
Jon Irabagon, winner of the 2008 Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, has performed extensively as both a sideman and as a leader in an ever-expanding range of projects, from the most straight ahead to the most searching.

Jon’s conception of complete musical inclusion in his improvisation and composition is apparent in the wide-ranging body of work he has compiled in his young career. Tonight he presents his continuous additive duo project with drummer Mike Pride.

In their own words: "The set-up and breakdown of grooves and improvisational material is an attempt at melding many of our musical influences, both jazz and non-jazz, all while firmly remaining in the world of extended tenor saxophone and drum improvisation. While this world is now an accepted part of the jazz lineage, our goal is to stack levels of different genres, tempos, noise, and moods, and to constantly shift the focus within this pile: either collectively or individually. After running through these continuously churning and evolving layers, the initial motifs transform into the resulting ideas that appear later, while also reappearing in their original forms. This duality produces another level of tension. Our hope is that the listener is able to hear through these various shifting layers and to notice the progression, development, and return of the original motifs."

July 7, 8:30pm - JANELLE REICHMAN GROUP
Since moving to New York City three years ago, saxophonist and clarinetist Janelle Reichman has been making a name for herself, she has featured with such groups as the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Five Play, the Chico O’Farrill Jazz Orchestra, Ted Rosenthal Quintet, and Tim Ries group. Janelle’s quintet will perform original compositions rooted in the swing tradition with a modern edge, among a few favorite jazz classics with a new spin.

“Demonstrating a complete command of the sound and keys of her tenor...seems to defy logic and possibility in her speed, dexterity, and musicianship.”

- Jazz Improv Magazine
July 8, 8:30pm - KIM BOCK QUARTET - CD RELEASE
The Kim Bock Quartet brings together four talented and highly experienced New York-based jazz musicians. All the music is written by Kim Bock especially for this group and draws on a multitude of influences from artist dating back to the 60’s like Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman to contemporary musicians like Joe Lovano and David Douglas. The music stretches from modal section to complex chord progressions, including odd meter rhythms.

This will be a CD release party for the new Kim Bock Quartet recording "Live in Copenhagen" released on will renowned jazz label SteepleChase, June 2009.

“The rapport between Danish saxist Kim Bock and trumpeter David Smith is nothing short of amazing on Secrets (SteepleChase), Bock’s smashing new disc. All of the originals bespeak the snap and ingenuity that can make weighty music surprisingly accessible and charming: The two horns shadow each other like a new school Dewey Redman and Don Cherry.”
- Time Out New York

July 16, 8:30pm - ADAM KOLKER-SCOTT WENDHOLT QUARTET
Adam Kolker (saxophones, clarinets, flutes) is a multi-talented performer, composer and arranger. He performed and recorded with Latin-jazz artist Ray Barretto from 1994 through 2002 (with whom he received two Grammy nominations). He also has appeared and/or appears regularly in New York City with such groups as the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Maria Schneider Big Band, Bruce Barth, Judi Silvano, David Berkman, Kenny Wheelers Large Ensemble, Lucia Pulido, Alan Ferber's Nonet and many others. He has recorded with Bruce Barth, John Hebert, Peter Herborn, The Story, Ben Sher, Allan Chase, Bobby Previte, Gunther Schuller, Bruce Saunders, Frank Carlberg, and others.

“What a rich, unpretentiously modern record is “Flag Day” (Sunnyside) by the jazz saxophonist Adam Kolker. He plays these songs — five originals; one Monk piece, the standard “Last Night When We Were Young”; and “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” by Neil Young — with restraint, letting his ideas flow but never filling up all available space. He’s a real improviser, making impulsive choices about phrasing and how to imply a chord, giving each of his notes a strong, strange character.
- New York Times

July 17 9:00 & 10:30pm - ANDREW D'ANGELO'S GAY DISCO TRIO
Andrew D'Angelo's charismatic presence and iconoclastic musical ambition have been well-established over the course of his twenty year plus career and his key roles in bands like Human Feel, the Matt Wilson Quartet and Tyft. His dedication to pushing limits and his willingness to delve into new musical areas have been powerful inspirations to his peers and to a new generation of improvisers. His forceful tone and aggressive improvisational style have made him one of the most influential alto saxophonists of his time.

July 18, 9:00 & 10:30pm - MICHAEL BLAKE TRIO
Saxophonist, composer and arranger Michael Blake has an established presence in the jazz world. His work gracefully erases the borders between different areas of music. Highlights of 2008 include a special guest appearance on Ben Allison’s Man Size Safe and performances with Blake Tartare at the Rochester, Vancouver and Copenhagen jazz festivals. Michael’s new band Hellbent recently played at Milano’s esteemed Mito Festival. His soprano sax work was recognized in the 2008 Downbeat Reader’s Poll.
From Soul and Reggae to traditional African and Vietnamese music - Blake is always exploring music that inspires him while staying true to himself.
“Panoramic imagination” -The New York Times

July 19, 8:30pm - MATT DARRIAU'S BALLIN' THE JACK
Saxophonist, clarinetist, ethnic-woodwind specialist and composer Matt Dariau has made several innovative contributions to the New York music scene and is a Klezmatics Grammy winner. His background in the fertile and eclectic milieu of the New England Conservatory of Music's Third Stream Program in the early 80's, and the continued practice of Balkan, Klezmer and Celtic folk idioms, have helped shape his esthetic and passion for creating new and unusual music.

Ballin' The Jack has toured several times in Europe including the North Sea Jazz Festival, 2002 Newport Jazz Festival and remains committed to playing music that is challenging, yet accessible to a wide audience.

"Of the many centennial tributes to Duke, this could be the most entertaining and forward thinking. Certainly it's the zaniest and very in your face... Ballin' The Jack revives [these tunes] in an ultra-modern way that makes them seem like they were just written.... A strong candidate for Jazz CD of the Year"
- Michael G. Nastos, All-Music Guide

“Can "downtown" players deliver classic jazz and swing tunes? The Big Head should quickly win over skeptics with the speed precision and boisterous energy brought to tunes like Benny Goodman's Seven Come Eleven ... their enthusiasm and beat quickly become contagious.”
- Downbeat
About the Café

Hailed by Mayoral proclamation as “A culinary as well as a cultural landmark” the Cornelia Street café has been presenting an enormous variety of performance for over 30 years, launching, establishing or reviving the careers of artists such as Suzanne Vega, Eve Ensler, Bill McHenry, John McNeill, Theo Bleckman, Tony Malaby, Jeremy Steig, Suheir Hammad, Hyung Ki Joo, and dozens of others. The café has given voice to neglected major international playwrights such as Liliane Atlan, Peter Barnes and Gunter Grass and has featured appearances by writers as diverse as Senator Eugene McCarthy, attorney William Kunstler, and Monty Python’s Terry Jones.

Official Website: http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com