Dearest all, I hope the sudden change of the clocks and the gradual changing of the seasons are treating everyone with relative kindness. Personally, I tend to struggle with the weather and the lack of sunlight. But music helps. A lot. Especially this music. Ruth Garbus :: Kleinmeister www.ruthgarbus.bandcamp.com/album/Kleinmeister Iām not exaggerating when I say that Iāve been waiting for this album for years. Ruth opened for Battle Trance on a short string of dates in the northeast maybe 2.5 years ago..? Her songs, her voice, her enigmatic approach to harmony, and her granular attention to the timbral subtleties of her voice and her instrument moved me to tears more than once. Iām ecstatic that I can finally hear those songs again. Nicole Mitchell :: Maroon Cloud https://fperecs.bandcamp.com/album/maroon-cloud Nicole Mitchell is the new head of the jazz program at Pitt. And it seems like none of the musicians in Pittsburgh have checked her out. Fix that. Right now. This album (her newest as far as I can tell) is dark as hell but somehow still glitters. Nicoleās compositional sense is brilliant here. She writes for a small ensemble of virtuosos playing piano, cello, voice, and herself on flutes. The music sounds incredibly specific to me, with lots of worlds in which her band can improvise to great effect. Iām genuinely moved by this very special recording. Nick Dunston :: Atlantic Extraction http://outofyourheadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/atlantic-extraction Nick wrote and recorded one hell of a record. It happens to be his debut. But it sure doesnāt sound like it. The ensemble of double bass, guitar, flutes, violin/viola, and drums gives Nick a ton to work with. He pulls some really special sounds out of the group and each player individually brings a palpable urgency to the music. Really special music on Adam Hopkinsās new label Out of Your Head Records. Caroline Davis and Rob Clearfieldās Persona :: Anthems http://carolinedavismusic.bandcamp.com/album/anthems Geez this recording is awesome. Carolineās sound on the alto is deeply layered. Velvety and plush even when applied with force (a description which, upon reflection, also applies to the compositions on this recording). The band executes a patient vitality that I feel like I can chew. Like in a cheesecake-y way where some of it gets stuck to the roof of your mouth. Laila and Smitty :: III http://kennywarren.bandcamp.com/album/laila-and-smitty-iii Kenny is one of those dudes whose life and whose trumpet playing seem to be the same. Apparently effortless, light and funny, and deeply thoughtful. He also makes me wonder āhow the hell do you sing so nice without opening your mouth all the way?ā I love this bandās first two recordings dearly and this newest installment just doubles down. So so so worth many listens. Hey also Iām playing music in places! ///// Thursday, November 7 at Enjoy Jazz Festival Ludwigshafen, Germany. VAX plays for Liz Kosackās acceptance of the SWR Jazz Prize https://www.swr.de/unternehmen/kommunikation/pressemeldungen/Preistraegerinnenkonzert-SWR-Jazzpreis-2019-Konzert-mit-Keyboarderin-Liz-Kosack,swr-jazzpreis-2019-konzert-liz-kocack-100.html Anyone who knows this band knows itās the most special artistic endeavor Iāve ever been a part of. One reason itās so special is because Liz is an impossible genius. Devinās great, too, I guess. But damn. Liz deserves this prize just as much as anyone has ever deserved anything. Iām literally glowing (though jet-lagged out of my brain) at the opportunity to play again with the group that demands that I be the most me. ///// Friday, November 8 Ziegra str 11 Berlin, Germany. Opener at 10pm. Then VAX. Then partaaaayyyyyy!! https://m.facebook.com/#!/events/3099296226812217?ref=m_notif¬if_t=admin_plan_mall_activity One night only in Berlin!! Pals Sam Hall and Julia Reidy (whose transcendent album brace, brace I wrote about a few months back) open the night at 10. VAX at 11. ///// Thursday, November 14 7-10pm at Kingfly Spirits Pittsburgh. https://m.facebook.com/#!/events/702867603547403 Bass legend and ECM recording artist Michael Formanek and his son, virtuoso reedist Peter Formanek, are bouncing around the country as a duo. Lucky for us theyāre stopping in Pittsburgh for a night! Young gun Carter Freije is going to join us on drums to fill out the 4 piece 100% improvised. Gonna be a fun one. ///// Saturday, November 16 10am-noon at Jazz Gallery Milwaukee, WI. So so excited just to get to see my buddy Devin Drobka in Milwaukee in a couple weeks. The fact that weāre gonna play music and talk candidly about whether it worked or not is the icing on the cake. Duo concert and workshop with Devin the great. ///// Friday, November 29 10pm-1am at Con Alma Pittsburgh. Iām transcribing a bunch of my favorite never-get-played bangers from the early-mid 60s Joe Henderson Lee Morgan Kenny Dorham Wayne Shorter catalogues. This band is burninggggg!! Really excited to learn and play this music. Join us on Black Friday, yes? PB - tenor saxophone, arrangements James Moore - trumpet Joe Sheehan - rhodes Anton Defade - bass James Johnson III - drums See yinz out there! Best, Patrick














