From Badass Sparrows to Playhouse 90 and Naked City

These are not recordings for the faint of heart. They require a willing suspension of disbelief, many years of watching noir television, and, probably, access to a keyboard. For the adventuresome, think of them as recordings that repay effort and imagination. If not, go back to "April in Paris" or "Shiny Stockings." Your family and neighbors may thank you for wisdom. But as to learning something new, doubtful. Both of the recordings are sponsored by public funders such as the Iowa Arts Council, the NEA, and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

JC Sanford
New Past
Shifting Paradigm Records
2023

Trombonist/composer/conductor JC Sanford described himself as "a musician of wide breadth, deeply rooted in the traditions of Jazz and Classical music, yet constantly pushing at their boundaries." Equally at home in many roles, Sanford works regularly as a composer, performer, arranger and conductor. Joined on piano by Michael Cain and on bass by Anthony Cox, Sanford was clearly after something different here: both new compositions, and reflections on work initiated in the past. Just a few observations—it is probably not an entirely bad idea to try to discover the patterns and melodies that surface. "Sparrows are Badasses" starts by chirping away, happily, with a predatory trombone approaching and a piano skittering its alarm. Think "Peter and the Wolf" go to Central Park and disaster ensues. Sanford sometimes bends notes to the breaking point to make a point, but it is all part of the script. "Avocados" opens with series of intervals, fourths, it seems, rising, with variations. "Choro de Familiaris" "is what might happen if a Bach partita smashed headlong into a Brazilian choro." This is Sanford's description. Its accuracy is a matter of faith. "followfellowflow" is free jazz, whatever free jazz is. If a listener needs some sort of familiarity as an anchor, there is Thelonius Monk's "Evidence," ever so slooowly. Sort of sounds like molasses, with Monk gradually spilling over a ledge until it runs out. Too bad Monk is not around to give a critical appraisal. There is more, including Wayne Shorter's "Toy Tune."

This is not sounds for a lazy afternoon on the patio with a beverage. Be forewarned. A "Musicians working" sign might be more appropriate.

Wave Cage
Even You Can See In The Dark
Shifting Paradigm Records
2023

Be patient, because a bit of history is needed. Back in the early 1960s, when the Commissioner of the FCC, Newton Minow, had the temerity to call US television "a vast wasteland," there was nevertheless some attempt at serious cultural programming. Even popular series sometimes took a glimpse into the demimonde. There was one series, Playhouse 90, that ran on CBS from 1956 to 1961. It dealt with any number of serious, even daring themes, including the probability that the world would end in a nuclear holocaust. Often accompanied by poetry and coffee houses. There were also glimpses into alternative lifestyles, colorfully known then as "beatniks," usually involving dramatic readings, poetry and other performance art. Even a popular detective series, Naked City , set in New York City in the early 1960s, featured actors and actresses in their native setting, and the world of the arts—plus an occasional homicide or two.

For some reason, Even You Can See In The Dark brought back plenty of memories of this kind programming. It comes with a helpful sort of libretto, so you can follow the recitation "Even You Can See In The Dark" accompanied by ethereal trumpet and band: creative collaboration is the theme. "Break Out" features a synthesizer with a kind of call and response interaction between trumpet and sax. "Not This Time" is a vocal: a sort of timeless Dear John letter which shows how little some matters change. "Chemical Memory" uses a chorus, perhaps recalling a bad trip in different voices. "Home is Here" is yet another narrative demanding "make this place full of mess," which is certainly a prerequisite for creativity. "No Them (Only Us)" is the most traditionally tuneful track.

Once upon a time, experimental work like this was respected and promoted, if not always understood. Today we have more calls for STEM education and productive internships. Hard to say if they represent an improvement over the "vast wasteland" of television half a century ago. Probably not. Meanwhile, let us praise arts councils and enlightened voters everywhere.

Tracks and Personnel

New Past

Tracks: Sparrows Are Badasses; Avocado; Choro de Familiaris; followfellowflow; Evidence; Tones of Tamuras; ToyTune; Some Moments are Eternal .

Personnel: JC Sanford: trombone; Michel Cain: piano; Anthony Cox, bass.

Even You Can See In The Dark

Tracks: Even You Can See in The Dark; Break Out; Not This Time; Chemical Memory; Home is Here; Bumpus; Are You Listening; No Them .

Personnel: Ryan Carmoe, trumpet, flugelhorn; Nolan Schroeder, tenor sax; Jarret Purdy: keyboards; Christopher Jensen: drums.