Styles: Bebop, Hardbop, Jazz
Time: 55:29
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 127,7 MB
Art: Front
(1:25) 1. Prelude
(8:41) 2. Nothing But The Blues
(7:01) 3. I Can't Get Started
(6:41) 4. I Remember Monk
(5:33) 5. A Little Chippie
(7:50) 6. I Hear You
(9:09) 7. Among Friends
(4:26) 8. Barack Obama
(4:38) 9. There Will Never Be Another You
This music comes from a performance complementing a session that was organized to record unheard compositions from Freddie Redd. The album title recognizes a kinship with the informal loft sessions of the fifties and sixties where a special style of jazz was refined. Present here from that golden age are two of the most singular voices on their instruments who, over fifty years hence, retain the relentlessly creative spirit that forged this music. Both have a signature sound that is instantly identifiable, and both are outstanding, though under recognized, composers. The group is completed by two players who have consistently linked the past and future of this music. The genesis of this effort was Matt Wilson's desire to meet and make music with Butch Warren, though it was Brad Linde's organizational abilities and contacts that brought it all together. Despite being contemporaries on the New York scene of the early 60's and sharing a recording label then by both their memories Butch and Freddie first played together at a joint event in December 2010 and since then did perform together several times in the greater Washington, DC area. Sadly these songs reflect their last performance together, as Butch passed to ancestry on October 5, 2013.
What you will hear is a spontaneous and joyous selection of music performed on a snowy evening in Baltimore - without rehearsal or set list or in most instances lead sheets - and with no overdubs, retakes or "do-overs". The intimate atmosphere lent itself to a sense of musical exploration and adventure that held the audience spellbound through a special evening. Fine examples of Freddie's characteristic inventiveness abound as he teases melodic ideas from each other and his limitless musical imagination. When Matt is not leading the exchange of ideas (Butch's style lends extra space to creative drummers) his attentive and sympathetic counterpoints draw rhythmic interactions from both of the masters. Butch's deceptively easygoing walking quarter note pulse provides the swinging foundation that also highlights his punctuation and solos. Brad deftly managed the stand throughout an open-ended evening and contributed strategic statements to enhance the musical framework. Together the group brought new inspiration to a particular style of jazz that remains timeless in their hands.
Tracks 1 and 2 are indeed the first notes the core trio played together and exemplify the melodically rooted improvisation that defines Freddie's musical conception (here within a remarkable spontaneous composition that seems to have leaped from his mind fully formed). With this show being Butch's evening, several of his most notable compositions are featured, along with another spontaneous creation and a standard or two. This date was not planned for a release since the performance was scheduled primarily as an opportunity for Matt to get acquainted with Butch. The recording captured some of the joy of that moment and reflects the cohesion in a different approach to making music than a practiced formal repertoire. Perhaps the most difficult thing for a musical collective is to freely improvise over structure. Within this set the spirit never wanes while the creative spark flickers and burns. With the foresight to leave recording equipment in place we are pleased to have the opportunity to present this unique insight into the musicians' collective artistry.
We wish to thank the musicians, Henry of An Die Musik for providing an outlet for fine music in Baltimore, Sean, Michael Formanek, Bertrand, Marc Goodman, and all fans and supporters of this music, present that night or not. ~John Cook https://bradlinde.bandcamp.com/album/baltimore-jazz-loft
Baltimore Jazz Loft
