Andrew Cyrille/Greg Osby Duo at New Haven's Firehouse 12 October 20th

Andrew Cyrille, drums; Greg Osby, saxophones

On Friday, October 20th, New Haven's Firehouse 12 will present a two-set performance by two of the most respected names in improvised music, drummer Andrew Cyrille and saxophonist Greg Osby. The longtime duo will play music from their new recording, Low Blue Flame (Tum Records), which features a mix of original compositions by each musician, as well as their interpretation of Thelonious Monk's “Work."

“Andrew Cyrille's lyricism, compositional skills and immersion in different idioms have been indispensable in expanding his instrument's role," writes DownBeat's Aaron Cohen. The All Music Guide's Chris Kelsey adds, “Few free-jazz drummers play with a tenth of Cyrille's grace and authority." In the late 1950's and early '60s, Cyrille performed with legendary musicians such as Coleman Hawkins, Roland Kirk, and Mary Lou Williams, but it was his 11-year association with the iconic Cecil Taylor, beginning in 1964, that helped establish his international reputation as one of the world's premier drummers. He has since recorded 25 titles as a leader/co-leader and worked with the gamut of creative music's most notable musicians, including extended collaborations with Muhal Richard Abrams, Walt Dickerson, and his group Trio 3 with Oliver Lake and Reggie Workman.

Greg Osby is known as “one of the most potent, complete and important saxophonists in jazz" (Peter Margasak, JazzTimes). The St. Louis native, and graduate of Howard University and the Berklee School of Music, moved to New York in 1983, and quickly established himself as a sideman with jazz giants such as Jaki Byard, Jack DeJohnette, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Andrew Hill and Jim Hall. He began recording as a leader in 1987, and since 1990 has recorded 13 titles for the seminal Blue Note label, including his latest, 2005's Channel 3. He has also continued to work as a sideman/co- leader with musicians such as Uri Caine, Joe Lovano and Sam Rivers among many others.

About Firehouse 12:

Firehouse 12 is an award winning full-service bar, state-of-the-art recording studio and unusually intimate performance space located in New Haven's historic Ninth Square District. Painstakingly renovated over the course of four years by owner/producer/ engineer Nick Lloyd and Gray Organschi Architecture, this once-abandoned firehouse building has become a major part of New Haven's cultural renaissance since opening its doors in April 2005. It has also quickly gained a reputation as one of the premier recording studios and creative music venues on the East Coast.

A 2006 Best Studio Design Project nominee for the prestigious Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Awards, the recording studio features world-class acoustic design by renowned acoustician John Storyk of Walters-Storyk Design Group. The striking 1200- square foot space features a Steinway concert grand piano, and doubles as an 80-seat public venue with unparalleled technical possibilities for some of the most respected names in creative music. Past performers include Han Bennink, Tim Berne, Dave Douglas, Susie Ibarra, Joe McPhee, Joe Morris, William Parker and Mario Pavone among many others.

In a June 2005 feature, New Haven Independent's Regina DeAngelo called Firehouse 12 “a north star in the jazz firmament that might well guide music lovers to New Haven from far away." She went on to write, “fabric-covered walls are angled to urge music to flow, not bounce, through a womb-like space. It's almost like sitting in the hull of an instrument. Luckily, the Firehouse attracts people who bring near-religious reverence to the music, producing an exchange of energy that often fires great performances." James Keepnews of the New Haven Advocate echoed DeAngelo's praise, calling the venue a “remarkable new cultural outpost" and “a resounding success." Yale University's Associate Vice President of New Haven and State Affairs Michael Morand recently called the space “a wonderful addition to New Haven's role as the cultural capital of Connecticut."

Complete Fall 2006 Concert Season:

09/22 :: Matthew Shipp
09/29 :: Carla Marciano 4tet
10/06 :: David Berkman Quartet
10/13 :: Nate Wooley and Blue Collar
10/20 :: Andrew Cyrille/Greg Osby Duo
10/27 :: Pete Robbins and Centric
11/04 :: Dave Allen Quartet
11/10 :: Stephen Haynes and Bugaboo
11/17 :: Dominique Eade/Jed Wilson Duo
12/01 :: Ben Allison Quartet
12/08 :: Wayne Escoffery Quartet
12/15 :: Gerald Cleaver & Violet Hour