May 3, 2005
To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES
BALLIN' THE JACK DOES THE MARX BROTHERS with Roy Nathanson, words, voice and sax. Joe's Pub ~ Wednesday, May 4 425 Lafayette Street ~ 212.539.8500 7:00 PM ~ $15 ......Swing your foot way'round then bring it back, Now that's what I call Ballin' the Jack... ~Chris Smith, 1913
Rediscover the swinging film music of the legendary Marx Brothers movies with Klezmatic's reedman Matt Darriau's Ballin' the Jack. Bestowing the solos of Harpo and Chico with an avant flavor sure to make the brothers smile, their Joe’s Pub performance will feature special guest Roy Nathanson from the Jazz Passengers as MC, saxophonist and Groucho interpreter. Also with charts by band members Andy Laster on baritone sax and clarinet, Frank London on trumpet, Curtis Hasselbring on trombone, Anthony Coleman on keyboard and piano, bassist Joe Fitzgerald and George Schuller on drums.
Ballin' the Jack will also premiere a new work by Darriau, commissioned by Chamber Music America, further exploring the ensemble's interest in the roots of jazz from the American south. The new work is a multi-part suite of pieces, reinterpreting the highly expressive and unusual instrumental forms and textures of early jazz, work song and blues while allowing for new structures and contemporary improvisation. A brilliant blend of early Ellington, Jellyroll Morton, New Orleans brass bands and Creole sounds Matt Darriau and Ballin’ the Jack remind us why they have become an integral part of the downtown and European jazz scenes. ' “Ballin' The Jack revives these swing tunes in an ultra-modern way that makes them seem like they were just written.... A strong candidate for Jazz CD of the Year" -- All-Music Guide
*** (Whooo hoo hoo hoo, oh you dog) First you put your knees together, close up tight, Then you sway 'em to left, then you sway 'em to the right... Step around the floor kind of nice and light, ... Then you twis' around, and twis' around with all your might, ... Style and Grace, Swing your foot way round, then bring it back, Now that's what I call Ball-in the Jack. Then you do the Eagle Rock with style and grace, ... Swing your foot way'round then bring it back, Now that's what I call Ballin' the Jack... ~Chris Smith, 1913
Matt Darriau was named one of the most influental jazz musicians of the last fifteen years by Jazziz Magazine for bringing Balkan rhythms and melodies into jazz. In addition to being a leading innovator in the eclectic downtown scene of the 90's with his Paradox Trio (three CD's on the Knitting Factory label) and for the past eight years with The Klezmatics, Darriau is also active as composer and musician in the Recycled Waltz Orchestra and Septeto Roberto Rodriguez.
With Ballin' the Jack Matt Darriau, creates new interpretations of music from the early swing era. The seven-piece ensemble plays music of the ‘20's & ‘30's with an emphasis on Ellington, Basie, John Kirby and some of the jazz roots of R&B. While the players pay detailed attention to the original orchestrations and intent, these unique periods in jazz provide a creative platform for the band's spontaneous interpretations and interactions, allowing them to explore ways in which early swing, with its through composed and unusual forms, can inspire contemporary “open" musicians - especially early Ellington, who was working before standard conventions in jazz were established. This crew of veteran “downtown" players stay inside the lines drawn by their earlier counterparts, but don't always color with the same crayons. The result is a far more lively and relevant aesthetic than your average repertory orchestra.
Conceived for the Tap Bar at New York's Knitting Factory where it developed its unique esthetic during late 1990's, Ballin' The Jack recorded two CD's for the Knitting Factory label. The first, “Jungle" (1999), explores Ellington, Basie and John Kirby and refers to the term “Jungle sound “ which was used to describe the music of Ellington's Cotton Club orchestra with its growling brass and heavy percussion grooves. This CD features Ellington alumnus, trombonist Art Baron, a master of mutes and growl techniques. Ballin' The Jack's second CD, “The Big Head" (2001), was a year-end best on Gary Giddins' 2001 Village Voice picks list. Ballin' The Jack has played major festivals including the North Sea and Newport Jazz festivals and remains committed to playing music that is challenging, yet makes people want to move with the groove!
*** For more information or to be removed from this list, contact Erica Jacobsohn at [email protected].
To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES
BALLIN' THE JACK DOES THE MARX BROTHERS with Roy Nathanson, words, voice and sax. Joe's Pub ~ Wednesday, May 4 425 Lafayette Street ~ 212.539.8500 7:00 PM ~ $15 ......Swing your foot way'round then bring it back, Now that's what I call Ballin' the Jack... ~Chris Smith, 1913
Rediscover the swinging film music of the legendary Marx Brothers movies with Klezmatic's reedman Matt Darriau's Ballin' the Jack. Bestowing the solos of Harpo and Chico with an avant flavor sure to make the brothers smile, their Joe’s Pub performance will feature special guest Roy Nathanson from the Jazz Passengers as MC, saxophonist and Groucho interpreter. Also with charts by band members Andy Laster on baritone sax and clarinet, Frank London on trumpet, Curtis Hasselbring on trombone, Anthony Coleman on keyboard and piano, bassist Joe Fitzgerald and George Schuller on drums.
Ballin' the Jack will also premiere a new work by Darriau, commissioned by Chamber Music America, further exploring the ensemble's interest in the roots of jazz from the American south. The new work is a multi-part suite of pieces, reinterpreting the highly expressive and unusual instrumental forms and textures of early jazz, work song and blues while allowing for new structures and contemporary improvisation. A brilliant blend of early Ellington, Jellyroll Morton, New Orleans brass bands and Creole sounds Matt Darriau and Ballin’ the Jack remind us why they have become an integral part of the downtown and European jazz scenes. ' “Ballin' The Jack revives these swing tunes in an ultra-modern way that makes them seem like they were just written.... A strong candidate for Jazz CD of the Year" -- All-Music Guide
*** (Whooo hoo hoo hoo, oh you dog) First you put your knees together, close up tight, Then you sway 'em to left, then you sway 'em to the right... Step around the floor kind of nice and light, ... Then you twis' around, and twis' around with all your might, ... Style and Grace, Swing your foot way round, then bring it back, Now that's what I call Ball-in the Jack. Then you do the Eagle Rock with style and grace, ... Swing your foot way'round then bring it back, Now that's what I call Ballin' the Jack... ~Chris Smith, 1913
Matt Darriau was named one of the most influental jazz musicians of the last fifteen years by Jazziz Magazine for bringing Balkan rhythms and melodies into jazz. In addition to being a leading innovator in the eclectic downtown scene of the 90's with his Paradox Trio (three CD's on the Knitting Factory label) and for the past eight years with The Klezmatics, Darriau is also active as composer and musician in the Recycled Waltz Orchestra and Septeto Roberto Rodriguez.
With Ballin' the Jack Matt Darriau, creates new interpretations of music from the early swing era. The seven-piece ensemble plays music of the ‘20's & ‘30's with an emphasis on Ellington, Basie, John Kirby and some of the jazz roots of R&B. While the players pay detailed attention to the original orchestrations and intent, these unique periods in jazz provide a creative platform for the band's spontaneous interpretations and interactions, allowing them to explore ways in which early swing, with its through composed and unusual forms, can inspire contemporary “open" musicians - especially early Ellington, who was working before standard conventions in jazz were established. This crew of veteran “downtown" players stay inside the lines drawn by their earlier counterparts, but don't always color with the same crayons. The result is a far more lively and relevant aesthetic than your average repertory orchestra.
Conceived for the Tap Bar at New York's Knitting Factory where it developed its unique esthetic during late 1990's, Ballin' The Jack recorded two CD's for the Knitting Factory label. The first, “Jungle" (1999), explores Ellington, Basie and John Kirby and refers to the term “Jungle sound “ which was used to describe the music of Ellington's Cotton Club orchestra with its growling brass and heavy percussion grooves. This CD features Ellington alumnus, trombonist Art Baron, a master of mutes and growl techniques. Ballin' The Jack's second CD, “The Big Head" (2001), was a year-end best on Gary Giddins' 2001 Village Voice picks list. Ballin' The Jack has played major festivals including the North Sea and Newport Jazz festivals and remains committed to playing music that is challenging, yet makes people want to move with the groove!
*** For more information or to be removed from this list, contact Erica Jacobsohn at [email protected].
For more information contact All About Jazz.
