Jeff Kaiser & Brad Dutz: The Order Of Her Bones (2002)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

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Published: October 1, 2002

Jeff Kaiser & Brad Dutz: The Order Of Her Bones

The origins of creative music must go back a lot farther than early European string quartets and small chamber groups from other continents. Music contains such primordial energy that it must surely have begun as one of the very first forms of communication. Imagine early man talking to the spirits. Maybe he and his clan worked at it together. If so, then surely their improvised music must have brought pleasure to the artists as well as to the rest of the family.

Such is the case with these explorations of trumpeter Jeff Kaiser and percussionist Brad Dutz, both experienced professionals from Southern California and quite active in creative music circles. Their recital evokes vivid impressions. The song titles offer some insight, and one look at the instrumentation tells you that this recording offers variety. Kaiser and Dutz are pioneers of sorts, exploring many directions through their creations. “The Order of Her Bones” swings gently with open horn and marimba; “Wounds and Contusions” hints at Miles Davis through the tightly muted trumpet and marimba. A deep respect for various timbres overshadows this session, with the artists exchanging communication through pedal tones, timpani, crying emotion and mallets. On “Finches and Wrens,” Kaiser and Dutz engage in an articulate, impressionistic call and response theme. Another piece takes on the aura of a funeral dirge. All in all, The Order Of Her Bones offers a highly creative approach that’s both accessible to a wide audience and deep in its search for meaning.

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Track Listing: The White Haired Gentleman Approaches; Magnification Embrace; The Scrupulous Hand of Childhood; Wounds and Contusions; The Vigilant Conspiracy; The Order of Her Bones; Stories, Rumors

Personnel: Jeff Kaiser- trumpet, flugelhorn, voices; Brad Dutz- marimba, glass marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, bass slit drum, gongs, nipple gongs, wing gong, bell plate, heavy bell, Indian bells, bell chimes, sea urchin chimes, obsidian chimes, cup chime, crotales, rotosound, bird whistles, Brazilian birdcalls, clay jay call, Rawcliffe clay bowls and tuba flute, rainstick, hadjira, concertina, ratchet, shakers, caxixi, bones, pods, balloon whistle, pandiero, riq, bougarabou, spinner, finger cymbals, bongos, cajon, string cajon, frame drum, snare drum, bass drum, voices.

Style: Modern Jazz