Jazz Articles about Vandermark 5

The Vandermark 5: Elements of Style, Exercises in Surprise

by AAJ Staff
October 11, 2004

Despite his ongoing prolific output elsewhere--including freshly reviewed efforts by Tripleplay and the Free Music Ensemble--adventuresome reed player Ken Vandermark seems to always find time for the Vandermark 5. And that's a very good thing. The artist may have one of the busiest performance schedules in improvised music (and some strong opinions on the subject, which can be seen at length in a recent AAJ Bulletin Board thread ), but he's still willing to put in studio time that counts.

Vandermark 5: Elements of Style, Exercises in Surprise

by Mark Corroto
July 9, 2004

By my count, this is the tenth release from Ken Vandermark's quintet, the primary vehicle for his compositions, following seven previous recordings on Atavistic and two hard to find discs on Savage Sound. The V5 began with 1997's Single Piece Flow and the band has changed a bit, shedding saxophonist Mars Williams and drummer Tim Mulvenna for Dave Rempis and Tim Daisy, while Jeb Bishop put away his guitar to become one of the finest trombonists playing in America today.

Vandermark 5: Airports for Light

by AAJ Staff
September 25, 2003

Fans of Chicago's incredibly prolific Ken Vandermark will no doubt appreciate the fresh angle his V5 group has placed on these nine tunes, each dedicated to a distinct artist from independent-minded filmmaker John Cassavetes to R&B hero Otis Redding. It feels something like the double set of Free Jazz Classics (officially released in 2002) in its combination of focus and freedom, though this time around there's more of a backbeat in the mix and the pieces are all written by ...

The Vandermark 5: Free Jazz Classics Vols. 1 & 2

by Frank Rubolino
May 1, 2003

When Ken Vandermark released Burn the Incline a few years ago, the first thousand copies included a second disc of The Vandermark 5 playing classic compositions by noted jazz luminaries. Subsequently, the same promotional ploy was used on Acoustic Machine, with the band presenting yet another batch of music by noted performers/composers. This double recording packages both limited editions as a release of its own, and it is a welcome treat for the many not fortunate enough to have latched ...

Vandermark 5: Free Jazz Classics Vol. 1 & 2

by AAJ Staff
November 25, 2002

Listeners lucky (and eager) enough to acquire one of the first 1000 copies of the Vandermark 5's two latest Atavistic records found a special gift tucked in the package: a bonus CD featuring live material recorded by the group at Chicago's Empty Bottle (where the quintet has performed weekly, barring other engagements, for six years). As a marketing tool, the live material was brilliant: these two discs sold faster than ever before. Unfortunately, listeners who were not quick enough to ...

The Vandermark 5: Acoustic Machine

by Mark Corroto
November 1, 2001

Ken Vandermark's quintet releases yearly progress reports on his growth as both a composer and musician. Acoustic Machine, the fifth installment by the Vandermark 5, features the maturing voices of the Chicago jazzman and the highly talented musicians that make up this working unit.

“Working unit" may be the key to the success of this band's sound. As the quintet has progressed, Vandermar's writing has turned toward composing to the strengths of each musician. He continues to dedicate each composition ...

Vandermark 5: Free Jazz Classics - Live at the Empty Bottle

by Todd R. Brown
October 1, 2000

Tucked away inside 1,000 specially marked packages of the Vandermark 5's latest CD, Burn the Incline , lucky fans can find a bonus disc featuring a live set by the group performing “free jazz classics."The concert was recorded earlier this year at the Empty Bottle club, a cornerstone of Chicago's free jazz/fusion renaissance. Reedsman Ken Vandermark, the V5's leader, has single-handedly spearheaded the Windy City's renewed interest in improvised music.The songs on Free Jazz Classics are ...