John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble!!!

jazzy mary · November-6th-2007, 10:40 AM

Oh boy, I heard some beautiful, beautiful, gorgeous & exciting music last night at the Jazz Standard here in NYC.

Is anyone hip to John Hollenbeck ( I know so many of you are)? Well, my friend Ron Horton was playing trumpet (along w/ 4 other trumpet players in the section --I think there were 5 in all) so he invited me down to the JS last night to hear the band. I'm like "OK", I don't know John Hollenbeck but Ron says he's good & Ron's playing and I *KNOW* that's good...so...

Well, long story short, I stayed for both sets and was lucky enough--along with the full house of hip mainly young, young cats---to hear some of the most beautifully composed and played music that I've heard in a long, long time. I liked it so much, I bought a cd. Yes, JM. The cd is fabulous (I'm listening to it now) but it just doesn't do justice of hearing this beautiful, complex, yet completely accessible, and *moving* music live. Ah, a big ensemble of great players playing beautiful music live--heaven on earth. Yes?

Mr. Hollenbeck is a tremendous gifted composer. And are you guys hip to the vocalist Theo Bleckmann?? I had heard of him but this was the first time I'd ever seen him. The hype is right!! I can't even explain how musical and fascinating and moving and just down right fabulous his singing, vocal instrumentations and everything he did was. He's totally natural, unpretentious and original. One of a kind. [edit: I just got done doing a web search for Theo and I am sure I have seen him w/ Mereidith Monk as I have seen her so many times but seeing him last night was a revelation to me. I was looking at his "myspace' and I'm such a dork I actually e-mailed him to say how much I dug him. That's the first time I've ever e-mailed anyone on "myspace"!]

I know I'm not being the most articulate of folks in talking about this music. It's hard to describe but oh, oh, so beautiful and soulful & moving!! Well, now I have a whole list of cds I want my daughters to get me for Christmas!!

I am NOT missing this band again if they are ever around. And, I'm going to check John & Theo's websites RIGHT NOW to see where else they may be playing! Ron told me they had a European tour hooked up but then the financing fell through. This is tragic.

This ensemble should be heard by everyone. This is the kind of music that should be funded by our major arts funding. It proves and shows the world that that there are composers & players right here in the good ol' US of A who are making some of the most important, beautiful music of our time. We kick ass in this regard! USA! USA!

Some of the stellar bandmates were Tony Malaby, Chris Speed, Ron & a great bass player named Kermit something...?

Please, everyone, please chime in and tell me everything you know about John, Theo et. al.! Thanks!!

jazzy mary · November-6th-2007, 11:43 AM

Hey guys, I'm going crazy here. I am so into this gig last night. I want everyone to chime in! Ok????

Vince Kargatis · November-6th-2007, 12:28 PM

I like his work a lot. Really enjoy Joys & Desires, a recent large ensemble piece, and think his Claudia Quintet is pretty great too. I've presented him twice, I think, some years back. Glad to hear the show was so good.

jazzy mary · November-6th-2007, 12:33 PM

Joys & Desires is what I'm listening to now! Thanks, Vince. What is the Claudia Quintet? I mean I know it's one of John's groups--but what instrumentation? What kind of music, recs etc.?

Rob C · November-6th-2007, 01:15 PM

The earlier large ensemble disc, A Blessing, is excellent.

I've seen Hollenbeck twice here at the Cultural Center in Chicago. Once with the Claudia Quintet, which I liked a lot. The other time was a duo with Bleckmann. That show I didn't dig so much--too self-consciously "experimental" for me. But I think Hollenbeck is a very talented guy and I would love to see the large ensemble live.

jaka · November-7th-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Joys & Desires is what I'm listening to now! Thanks, Vince. What is the Claudia Quintet? I mean I know it's one of John's groups--but what instrumentation? What kind of music, recs etc.?

I've been a huge fan of John's music for quite some time now, and he (along with his wife Kate) is of the nicest kind. Caught him live with Big Apple a few months ago in Paris and we had a wonderful time.

I'm glad you liked the Large Ensemble show that much.

The Claudia Quintet is John on drums, Drew Gress on bass, Chris Speed on clarinet and sax, Ted Reichmann on accordion and Matt Moran on vibes.
All their releases are recommendable, but the latest two (Semi-Formal & For, both on Cuneiform) are excellent.

Another recording Kate sent me once is a quartet (Lucy Quartet or something) that I remember liking a lot, and this one is with Theo on vocals. Don't remember the rest of the lineup right now.

.

olie brice · November-7th-2007, 03:30 PM

[QUOTE=jazzy mary;691116] a great bass player named Kermit something...?/QUOTE]

Kermit Driscoll, presumably.

Chaz Longue · November-8th-2007, 09:28 PM

Hi Mary!

Hollenbeck's terrific. You'd like the other recordings too.

Also keep an eye out for Theo's work with Ben Monder.

David Beckett

jazzy mary · November-9th-2007, 11:00 AM

Thanks jaka & Chaz, I know and like Ben Monder's work a lot and I knew Theo played with him. There are a lot of cds I need to get.

Jaka, where in Paris did you see John?

Olie--yes, Kermit Driscoll, thanks!

jaka · November-9th-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Jaka, where in Paris did you see John?

At a very fine venue called "Studio de l'Ermitage", which has a great bar...

jazzy mary · November-9th-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaka

At a very fine venue called "Studio de l'Ermitage", which has a great bar...

Next time we're in Paris, we're going!! LOL!!

tippy · November-9th-2007, 12:20 PM

Damn, I see it was only one night. I wanted to go based on Mary's enthusiasm alone... Sorry I missed it. Thanks for the review, Mary.

jazzy mary · November-9th-2007, 12:27 PM

I know! It's a shame that it was just one of those Monday night things. It should have been booked for all week. Well, I'll keep my eyes out & let you know when they are around again, Tip. I'd love to hang w/ you again too!

graypencil · November-10th-2007, 03:15 PM

JM:

I first discovered Hollenbeck as the drummer with Brookmeyers NAO and only became acquainted with his writing when someone pulled my coat about "Blessings"

He is a real sleeper talent ..

( then again, all of us drummer/writers have to stick together ...Peter Erskine, Gary Hobbs, Jae Sinnett,
and our late grandaddy, Tiny Kahn!!!! )