Shadow Vignettes

Captain Hate · October-11th-2006, 08:34 AM

Does this group even exist anymore? I realize that its "existance" was a somewhat tenuous term in that a group as large as this would be a logistical nightmare to schedule to do anything, but they seemed to hang together at least through the late 90s.

The reason I bring this up is that I just got through listening to a vine of a performance at the '98 Chicago Jazz Festival that is stunning in a number of ways. First of all, the songs are all different from those on Birth of a Notion, their only *official* recorded output that I'm aware of (and doesn't include at least one other song that I've heard: An incredibly X-rated ditty that had the same-sexers/pc types demonstrably uncomfortable when they performed it at Oberlin quite a few years ago). Second, if anything, the group was even larger at this performance (featuring at least 2 new vocalists) yet the arrangements were tight and everything sounded great in a situation that could easily sounded like an unwieldy mess. Plus Von Freeman and Fred Anderson had guest appearances for a song "Dark Star" in which they sounded great (Vonski seemed to not be comfortable with the changes initially before settling in; I know, who am *I* to be criticizing Von Freeman, but that's how it sounded to me) while the song was far more than just a blowing vehicle for two legends. Third, Edward Wilkerson has one of the most fertile minds in music yet it seems to go at least a bit unappreciated. Last year at Vision Fest I asked John Litweiler what he was up to and he said he's still pursuing various projects while playing in orchestra pits for musical shows to finance such endevors.

With all the garbage that gets released these days, it's surprising that no small label has documented further activity from this large group. It would be too bad if Shadow Vignettes was only known by a small number of people as the group that did "Honky Tonk Bud" but I guess that you could do a lot worse than that.

relyles · October-11th-2006, 03:38 PM

I have not heard much about this group recently, although Edward Wilkerson seems to still be somewhat active. He is on the recently released Frequency recording with Nicole Mitchell, Harrison Bankhead and Avreaayl Ra. I know that he has also performed in trio settings with Tatsu Aoki and Michael Zerang. I have heard the same broadcast from the Chicago Jazz Festival you mentioned as well as the only official release. I vaguely recall recently seeing at least one more unofficial recording of the group somewhere, but it would be nice to hear something new from the group.

When I saw Ernest Dawkins earlier this year, I asked him about Wilkerson and he gave me a similar reply to that one you heard from Litweiler. Possibly look for something on the www.chi-creates.tv website in the future.

In additional to Shadow Vignettes, I would love to hear a recent recording of 8 Bold Souls, which is probably my favorite vehicle to hear Wilkerson's writing.

Clay Fink · October-11th-2006, 03:45 PM

His "Light on the Path" on Sound Aspects is mia along with the rest of that catalog. That's a label who's catalog needs reissuing.

Dick Bowman · October-12th-2006, 02:53 AM

Two other large groupings that it would be good to have a permanent record of are Orchestra Infinity (as led by Kahil El'Zabar at Leverkusen in about 1991 - possibly filmed by German TV) and the AACM Large Ensemble (as at one of the AACM Anniversary festivals). I have good (but now rather vague) memories of both.

Uli · November-25th-2006, 04:05 AM

at the hothouse

Thursday December 7

PATCHWERX: Shadow Vignettes
A film by Jonathan Woods and live performance
by Shadow Vignettes
Jazz, Blues and Improvised Music
7:00pm

Captain Hate · December-9th-2006, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uli

at the hothouse

Thursday December 7

PATCHWERX: Shadow Vignettes
A film by Jonathan Woods and live performance
by Shadow Vignettes
Jazz, Blues and Improvised Music
7:00pm

Anybody present for this? Inquiring minds want to know!!

Uli · January-16th-2007, 12:55 AM

up for the hateman. does he still post on JC?

Shadow Vignettes: Odd eye o mumbo jumbo is now available on dvd. just got it but have not watched it yet.

John L · January-16th-2007, 01:58 AM

Thanks, Uli.

Is there a CD available as well?

Uli · January-18th-2007, 01:01 PM

John, I don't know but I would guess not. I'll ask Wilkerson when I see him.

I watched it once and it's a very nice music documentary especially if you are familiar with most of the people in the band. It shows the performance of a couple of 'songs' in it's entirety and also comments, social and about the music by Wilkerson and others. Some guest artists are James Newton and Rod McGaha (is he still playing?).

Funny, as to captain hate's original question if the vignesttes are still around Wilkerson sez something to the extent theat when it comes to the Shadow vignettes he is aleays the last to know. He just writes and conducts the music and hopesw to be around when they perform the next time.

Captain Hate · January-19th-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uli

up for the hateman. does he still post on JC?

Yep, I just got back from vacation. Thanks for the comments Uli; I counted on you to know what was up with them.

Rob C · January-28th-2007, 10:00 AM

Just saw the Shadow Vignettes DVD yesterday, projected at the Chicago Cultural Center as part of a day's worth of "Cinema Jazz". Some excellent music, but I thought the film was pretty amateurishly made, and I did find myself rolling my eyes at a lot of the street-corner philosophizing in the many scenes of band members talking on the tour bus: lots of stuff about pyramids on Mars and how the government wants to implant tracking devices in young people. Wilkerson himself seems like a pretty down to earth guy, though, and I do love his compositions! (Listening to the Souls' Last Option right now.)

musicmargaret · May-1st-2007, 01:46 AM

Last weekend New York City was blessed with a one-night concert visit in a small club by Frequency, the group of Chicago greats Ed Wilkerson, Jr., Nicole Mitchell, Harrison Bankhead, and Avreeayl Ra, and they played a glorious set. Afterwards Ed Wilkerson gave us a copy of "Shadow Vignettes: [Odd] Eye O Mumbo Jumbo" on DVD, and we absolutely love it (most certainly including what Rob C called the "street-corner philosophizing" about pyramids, Mars, and tracking devices). Here is some more information about the DVD:

Edward Wilkerson, Jr's Shadow Vignettes: "Odd Eye O Mumbo Jumbo" [DVD] w/ Harrison Bankhead, Mwata Bowden, Ari Brown, Ernest Dawkins, Vandy Harris, Ameen Muhammed, James Newton, Reggie Nicholson, Rita Warford and 15 other Chicago musicians, director Jonathan Woods, Executive Producer Ed Wilkerson, Jr., Sessoms Music, P.O. Box 6812, Chicago, IL 6O680, sessomsmusic@gmail.com. Also available for $2O by mail from Downtown Music Gallery: http://search2.downtownmusicgallery....son%20Bankhead.

Pete C · May-1st-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmargaret

Last weekend New York City was blessed with a one-night concert visit in a small club by Frequency, the group of Chicago greats Ed Wilkerson, Jr., Nicole Mitchell, Harrison Bankhead, and Avreeayl Ra, and they played a glorious set.

Yes, wonderful! It was Dee Pop's series at Jimmy's. It was my first time at Jimmy's, and I must say it was a much nicer atmosphere than the space Dee used to use at CBGB.

LutherBlissett · July-18th-2008, 10:42 AM

Dunno if this will work, but amazing footage of Shadow Vignette's "Defender" EdWilkerson conduting, damn its funky !

http://http://youtube.com/watch?v=tLNM4N2WZpg