Jazz Articles about ICP Orchestra

ICP Orchestra in Seattle, WA

by Bill Bennett
May 7, 2006

ICP Orchestra Seattle, WA March 25, 2006

New Dutch Swing is the phrase coined by critic Kevin Whitehead - who wrote a book of the same name - to describe the music of the ICP (Instant Composers Pool) Orchestra, the Willem Breuker Kollektief, Bik Bent Braam and other members of the vital improvised music scene in Holland. Misha Mengelberg, Han Bennink and Breuker were co-founders of ICP in 1967. In Seattle as part of a ...

ICP Orchestra: Aan & Uit

by John Kelman
May 15, 2004

The Instant Composers Pool, or ICP Orchestra, is a Dutch collective that, after emerging in the ‘70s with a number of albums over a ten-year period only to then more or less disappear, has re-emerged over the past five years with a number of recordings for its own ICP label. Schizophrenic at the best of times, the ensemble’s early history was characterized by a deep rift between originating members pianist Misha Mengelberg, who wanted to explore the concept of “instant ...

ICP Orchestra: Oh, My Dog

by Mark Corroto
January 1, 2002

The Amsterdam based ICP Orchestra (meaning improvisation defined as an “instant composing pool”) can best be described to Americans as Carl Stalling directs the Duke Ellington Orchestra playing chamber music. Pianist Misha Mengelberg and drummer Han Bennink lead their brand of instant composing. Mengelberg, a master of the music of both Herbie Nichols and Thelonious Monk, is the poster-child for the Dutch creative scene. He prefers odd angular melodies and playing spin-the-dial for differing styles. Drummer Han Bennink seems to ...

ICP Orchestra: Jubilee Varia

by Glenn Astarita
January 1, 2000

Individually these gentlemen have had more than a hand or two in redefining modern jazz, yet as a unit and under the auspices of the “Instant Composers Pool Orchestra” – this band has been knocking them dead during live gigs over the years while remaining criminally under recorded. Jubilee Varia is the new “ICP Orchestra” release recorded live in Zurich, Switzerland 1997.

Primarily a Dutch outfit featuring pianist Misha Mengelberg, drummer Han Bennink, cellist Ernst Reijseger, California born woodwind specialist ...

ICP Orchestra: Jubilee Varia

by Robert Spencer
December 1, 1999

Misha Mengelberg has never gotten the recognition he deserves; this new release from his ICP (Instant Composers Pool) Orchestra is yet another indication of how much recognition he does indeed deserve.

Mengelberg is a premier pianist with a superb skill for instant composition. He manages to create coherent wholes out of the sounds of utter surprise. Here and there in the “Jubilee Varia," which is a feature for several soloists that forms the first half of this disc, he'll tinkle ...