Thursday, February 14, 2013

Paul Lytton, Nate Wooley, with Ikue Mori and Ken Vandermark, The Nows

If Nate Wooley won some free jazz polls at the end of the past year for trumpet, it has no doubt something to do with his performances on The Nows (Clean Feed 260), a two-CD set of himself and percussion adept Paul Lytton in two live settings, the first at the Stone in NYC with Ikue Mori joining in on computer for about half the program, and another date at the Hideout in Chicago, with Ken Vandermark gracing the podium on bass clarinet, clarinet, tenor and baritone for the second half of the set.

Nate is exploring sound territory that is most decidedly avant and extended; Paul complements perfectly with a widened percussion kit and a keen dramatic sense. The guests fit in quite nicely--and it's always a treat to hear the Vandermark baritone.

In the end, though, the two principals carry the day with some exceptionally imaginative out playing. "A triumph!", I could add. Well, OK, it is that.

No comments:

Post a Comment