It was only during Ken Vandermark's residency at the Jazz club
The Stone in January 2016 that Vandermark found himself in the
same vicinity as Nate Wooley, Sylvie Courvoisier and Tom Rainey.
A year later they went into the studio with nine compositions –
three each by Courvoisier, Vandermark and Wooley.
These four musicians have well-documented, distinct personalities
which, in this context, results in performances full of surprises,
rich contrasts and shared responsibilities. The music sounds
thoughtful, but never over-wrought. They play by in tuition, yet
retain a vivid complexity. Their composing is transparent and
un-clichéd; their improvising provided with a remarkable coherence
and openness. And perhaps it is exactly this – a fresh collective
unity that keeps their respective personalities and idiosyncrasies
intact – that brings them success in this bold and collaborative
performance. Art needs to pique and renew your interest, take
you on inspiring and surprising journeys and sometimes even
confront your own biases. Creating, not reviving as a way to
evolve and to keep going forward in all directions.
Ken Vandermark: Saxophone, Clarinet
Nate Wooley: Trumpet
Sylvie Courvoisier: Piano
Tom Rainey: Drums Percussion
1. Checkpoint 05:03
2. Track and Field 06:39
3. Sparks 03:44
4. The Space Between the Teeth 06:12
5. Tag 04:32
6. Songs of Innocence 04:17
7. VWCR 04:00
8. Truth Through Mass Individuation 04:03
9. Simple Cut 05:41
Recorded August 17, 2017, at Oktaven Audio, Mount Vernon,
New York, USA, by Ryan Streber.
Mixed and mastered by Ryan Streber.
Cover art and graphic design: Jonas Schoder.
Liner notes: Guy Peters.
Photos: Christophe Alary, Daniel Sheehan, Cristina Marx, Denis Dalby. Produced and published by Patrik Landolt, Intakt Records.
