Rova Saxophone Quartet

[phlppo]

I am going to their show in Nashville next week. Just curious about their music, with no foreknowledge or preconceptions. Surfing their website is all I know about them. Anybody willing to share their experiences?

[Jason Bivins]

Wow, you're in for a treat. ROVA is one of my absolute favorite musical ensembles. They've not only taken the saxophone quartet in a very different direction than have most groups - i.e. where the WSQ can often sound like an Ellington horn section shorn of rhythm, ROVA follows pathways from Braxton, Muhal, and Hemphill's solo materials into new music and various hybrids. Their compositions, too, are often gorgeous (and they've commissioned dozens of fabulous pieces too). Seeing them live is an extra plus, since you get to watch their communication and can thus form a greater appreciation of the relation between improvised and notated materials.

In short, they rule! Be sure to pick up some discs.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

I've only seen them once, about five years ago, and Larry Ochs seemed to be using these very cool hands signals to guide the music's direction. I need to look into this group more fully. They were excellent that day, and I love Ochs' work with Lindberg!

Pretty bizarre gig, the time I saw them. It was at the Mountain Theater, a huge, historic amphitheater near the top of Mt. Talmalpais in Marin County. They were about 300 yards away from the audience, all SEVEN of us, who were scattered throughout the acres of stone seats carved into the hillside. A couple of years later I played the same theater, calling an exhibition with a square of my dancers as the opening act to a production of Oklahoma! before a full house of 3000+.

[Vince Kargatis]

The Rova thread.

You are in for a treat. phlppo. Read th is stuff after the concert - why not go in as fresh as possible?

[Cem]

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

Pretty bizarre gig, the time I saw them. It was at the Mountain Theater, a huge, historic amphitheater near the top of Mt. Talmalpais in Marin County. They were about 300 yards away from the audience, all SEVEN of us, who were scattered throughout the acres of stone seats carved into the hillside. A couple of years later I played the same theater, calling an exhibition with a square of my dancers as the opening act to a production of Oklahoma! before a full house of 3000+.

Pretty funny (& sad), Steve!

My good buddy Alan was one of the seven people. You may recall a certain "Woody Allen with dreads" type character. He, too, found it rather strange...especially being familiar with ROVA's music.

I agree with Vince, phlppo. Go open and soak it in. The best prescribed way to hear ROVA is live.

[bigtiny]

These guys are great....you'll love them. I've played several double bills with them (including at a jazz festival produced by none other than Vince....) and am always astounded at the level of musicianship inherent in their performances. Nice guys too....

bigtiny

[phlppo]

thanks to all for your replies. I am excited. Appreciate the link to the ROVA thread, Vince. I will save it for after the show, as you suggest. Square Dancing Steve, the Tennessee Old Time Fiddler's Convention is around the corner from my house the same weekend as ROVA in Nashville. It would be a pretty wild musical stretch to go to both, do you think?

only 7 at a show in Marin County? No wonder I was able to get such a good seat in Middle Tennessee!