That's right, people. Next month we're returning to the Jazz Standard in New Nork, New Nork for a week of West Coast wackiness -- April 23-27, 2008 -- to coincide with the April 22nd release of Early Reflections, Bennie Maupin's follow-up to 2006's monster-of-a-comeback Penumbra, as well as a 10th Anniversary compilation including 2 CDs and a DVD entited Assemblage: 1998-2008 featuring recorded nuggets from the Cryptogramophone catalog as well as unreleased live video footage of Sir Nels Cline's New Monastery band, Mr. Maupin and other label artists.
Pic from last year's triumphant Crypto week at the Jazz Standard: from left, Bobby Bradford, Ben Goldberg, Nels Cline & Devin Hoff
(photo by Richard Termine, courtesy of The New York Times)
Here's the schedule thus far:
Wednesday, April 23rd
7:30 PM - The Jeff Gauthier Goatette
9:30 PM - Nels Cline/Alex Cline Duo
Cryptogramophone founder, violinist and composer Jeff Gauthier presents his longtime ensemble, the Goatette, featuring guitarist Nels Cline, drummer Alex Cline, keyboardist David Witham, and bassist Joel Hamilton to Jazz Standard for the second year in a row. Gauthier and his band will release a new CD entitled House of Return on June 8, 2008.
For the second set, guitarist Nels Cline collaborates with his longtime twin brother, drummer/percussionist Alex Cline (Julius Hemphill, Charles Lloyd, Bobby Bradford, Vinny Golia, etc.), in what promises to be a very special event. Nels and Alex have been playing music together since they were four years old. Expect old chestnuts from their youth, a few unexpected covers, and some wild improvisations.
Thursday, April 24th
7:30 & 9:30 PM: The Nels Cline Singers
Guitarist Nels Cline, bassist Devin Hoff, and drummer Scott Amendola will rock the Standard like it's never been rocked before. Cline's compositions run the gamut from sensitive ballads to gargantuan mega-suites. Jazz Times has called Nels Cline, "The world's most dangerous guitarist." Nels has five recordings on Cryptogramophone as a leader.
Friday April 25th
7:30 PM - Scott Amendola Band
9:30 & 11:30 PM - The Nels Cline Singers
Scott Amendola is one of the most sought-after drummers in jazz today, having played with Charlie Hunter, TJ Kirk, Madeleine Peyroux, and of course The Nels Cline Singers. Amendola will be joined by violinist Jenny Scheinman, guitarist Nels Cline and a special guest guitarist/bassist for a set of original music. Scott Amendola has recorded two CDs for Cryptogramophone as a leader. The Nels Cline Singers play the final two sets (9:30 & 11:30) to cap this special Friday night of Cryptonight programming.
Saturday April 26th
7:30 PM- Myra Melford/Ben Goldberg Quartet
9:30 & 11:30 PM - Bennie Maupin Quintet
Clarinetist Ben Goldberg (Andrew Hill, Bobby Bradford, Tin Hat) and pianist Myra Melford (Same River Twice, Henry Threadgill. Leroy Jenkins) bring their collaborative quartet featuring Stomu Takeishi on bass, and Scott Amendola on drums, to begin this special evening. Myra Melford performs with her group Be Bread, and Trio M. Both artists have two CDs as leaders on Cryptogramophone.
Legendary multi-instrumentalist/composer Bennie Maupin has played with everyone from Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Woody Shaw, The Headhunters, Horace Silver, Andrew Hill, Marion Brown, and many others. Maupin's new Polish quintet includes pianist Michal Tokaj, bassist Darek Oles, drummer Michael Stephans, percussionist Munyungo Jackson, and special guest vocalist Hania Rybka.
Sunday April 27th
7:30 & 9:30 PM - The Bennie Maupin Quintet
Wrapping up this special anniversary week of programming Bennie Maupin's Quintet celebrates the release of the multireed player's secord Cryptogramophone release, Early Reflections. In fact, a review of the album is already out; check it out here.
