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Blue Cranes

Hailing from the fertile scene of Portland, Oregon, the Blue Cranes create music that is as invigorating as it is disarming. Working a thin line between improvisation and catchiness, Blue Cranes arrive at a unique place. They have found a way to make exploration seem like the most enjoyable process around.

The group, composed of Reed Wallsmith (alto saxophone), Joe “Sly Pig” Cunningham (tenor saxophone), Rebecca Sanborn (keyboards), Keith Brush (acoustic bass), and Ji Tanzer (drums), began working together as a quintet in 2007 (originally recording as a quartet in 2006). Over the past three years, the band has begun to reap the rewards of a collective articulation: a truly individual sound that depends on the contributions of each member.

Blue Cranes have performed at rock, punk and jazz festivals down the West Coast. They have shared the stage with John Hollenbeck’s Claudia Quintet, Wayne Horvitz’s Sweeter Than The Day, Michael White, The Youngs, Thruster!, Cuong Vu, Portland Cello Project, The Tiptons, Mi Ami, Priestbird and Horse Feathers. Clubs regularly showcase the Blue Cranes on tour, and the band has played in-studio sessions at the region’s top radio stations for creative music, including Seattle’s KEXP and Portland’s KOPB.

Blue Cranes' newest album, Observatories, will be released nationally on September 14, 2010, with a California sneak preview tour August 18-26, and a Portland album release show on August 28. It features seven original compositions and a cover of Wayne Horvitz's 'Love, Love, Love.' The band is joined on this album by the dynamic Los Angeles-based guitarist Timothy Young (Wayne Horvitz, Thruster), Kyleen King on viola, Anna Fritz on cello (Portland Cello Project), Marilee Hord on violin and the Paxselin horns (Mary Sue Tobin - alto sax, Chad Hensel - bass clarinet).

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200
Album Review

Blue Cranes: Blue Cranes

Read "Blue Cranes" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Blue Cranes is the name of a Portland, Oregon-based jazz quintet whose self-titled CD is an EP containing live performances. They describe their music as fusing “the repetitive elements of modern loop-based music with traditional and avant-garde jazz styles in an acoustic setting." The music on Blue Cranes inevitably centers around the intriguing alto saxophonist Reed Wallsmith. He immediately grabs the listener through the sheer size of his sound. His tone is big, expressive, and marked by a ...

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73

Radio

The Jazz Session #208: Blue Cranes

The Jazz Session #208: Blue Cranes

Source: AAJ Staff


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Recording

Blue Cranes - Observatories (2010)

Blue Cranes - Observatories (2010)

Source: Something Else!

By Pico Although we don't really cover indie rock on our little corner of the blogzine world, I'm often intrigued by musicians who approach jazz from the indie angle. They don't swing and they usually don't try to dazzle with labored technique. Most times the compositions aren't these tedious, multi-sectioned pieces with the intricacies of classical music (otherwise, it would be prog rock). What the indie-inclined crowd do bring to the table is a group collective, an attention to melody ...

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Recording

Portland, Or's Blue Cranes Release 3rd Album of Indie-Tinged Chamber Music, "Observatories," September 14, 2010

Portland, Or's Blue Cranes Release 3rd Album of Indie-Tinged Chamber Music, "Observatories," September 14, 2010

Source: Fully Altered Media

It takes a minute for a band to hurdle growth spurts and become the eloquent ensemble it hopes to be. But striving for a truly individual sound, one that depends on the contributions of each member is a noble goal. After three years as a quintet with two saxophones up front, Blue Cranes have achieved such a victory. They prove it with Observatories.

On its third album, everything gels for the acclaimed instrumental outfit from Portland, Oregon. Working that thin ...

"Consider the band a brainier kinfolk to the indie rock scene, and with influences from rock and other areas, but with a solid foundation in the vocabulary of jazz." - JOSEF WOODARD, Santa Barbara News-Press

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