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Keri Johnsrud / Shawn Maxwell: C8H10N4O2
by Hrayr Attarian
Vocalist Keri Johnsrud is a master of subtlety. She delivers intricate songs with elegance and grace, making them sound deceptively effortless. Saxophonist Shawn Maxwell is one of the most innovative members of the Chicago creative music scene. Both are also accomplished composers. All these elements make their collaborative effort C8H10N4O2 (the chemical formula for caffeine) stimulating and delightful. A concept album, C8H10N4O2 represents a hectic day. Bookending it are two takes of “Peace," one labeled “720 AM" and ...
Continue ReadingCardigans Off!
by Patrick Burnette
Special guest Keri Johnsrud enlivens the first part of the podcast as we discuss her career in music and new collaboration with pianist Kevin Barnes, Welcome to the Neighborhood, an album devoted to the music of one Mr. Fred Rogers. Mike investigates as to whether Fred really served as a Green Beret in 'Nam because you can count on the Jazz Bastard to ask the hard-hitting questions. The rest of the show is devoted to vocal albums with at least ...
Continue ReadingJazzing Up Childhood Memories
by Jerome Wilson
Jazz musicians today sometimes draw on all sorts of popular culture for inspiration, including the television shows they grew up with. Here are two fine examples. The Flying Horse Big Band The Bat Swings! Flying Horse Records 2018 The University of Central Florida's Flying Horse Big Band presents a set of big band jazz based on soundtrack cues from the 1966 Batman TV show. That is no stretch at all since that music ...
Continue ReadingKeri Johnsrud: This Side Of Morning
by Ben Scholz
For her sophomore effort This Side Of Morning, vocalist Keri Johnsrud presents a collection of original material co-written with pianist Kevin Bales. Featuring a powerhouse band of Chicago musicians including guitarist Neal Alger, bassist Larry Kohut, drummer Jon Deitemyer, and vibraphonist Stephen Lynerd, Keri explores a range of emotions in what amounts to a book of poetry set to music. Much of the album evokes a sense of hope in times of loss. Keri describes difficult situations with ...
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