Jazz Articles about Free Range Rat

Free Range Rat: Nut Club

by Florence Wetzel
November 15, 2006

Nut Club is chock-full of interesting songs, demonstrating the originality of the group known as Free Range Rat, as well as its intelligence and warmth. The band is composed of uniformly strong players: John Carlson (trumpet and flugelhorn), Eric Hipp (tenor sax), Shawn McGloin (bass), and George Schuller (drums and percussion), here with special guest Douglas Yates (clarinets). Playing what they call “cosmosonic jazz, the musicians give the listener plenty to chew on and much to enjoy. ...

Free Range Rat: Nut Club

by Troy Collins
July 21, 2006

Initially formed to explore the tone science of visionary bandleader Sun Ra, this collective ensemble orbits Herman “Sonny" Blount's world without falling into its gravitational pull. Journeying to other territories, the members of Free Range Rat explore a plethora of improvisational gambits that are ripe with energy, delivering them with aplomb.

Taking their name from former Either/Orchestra trumpet player John Carlson's quartet album of the same name (CIMP, 1998), Free Range Rat employs a similar lineup, with drummer ...