Jazz Articles

Faruq Z. Bey with the Northwood Improvisers: Journey into the Valley

by Clifford Allen
February 25, 2009

Though in the jazz world, Detroit and southern Michigan often get the most credit for producing Hahd bop talents like Kenny Burrell, Tommy Flanagan and the brothers Jones, there has long been a slow-burning fire of free improvisation and creative music tapping into the Motor City's pulse. Reedmen Faruq Z. Bey and Skeeter Shelton, both onetime co-leaders of the Griot Galaxy, are longtime members of the region's new music community. A somewhat younger set (but not by much) are the ...

Faruq Z. Bey and the Northwoods Improvisers: Auzar

by Rex Butters
April 25, 2005

Detroit saxophonist Faruq Z. Bey's third Entropy release finds him returning to a three-horn lineup for the first time since his days with Griot Galaxy. Working a stylistic vein that would have fit '60's Impulse! with their bass-driven, Afro-centric, imaginative ardent songs to the sacred, Bey and the Northwoods Improvisers work from compositions, cues, and inspiration. The group sound, captured live, shows an enthusiastic unit capable of infectious grooves and driving without hands.

Mike Johnston introduces “Gemini with a lurking ...

Faruq Z. Bey with the Northwoods Improvisers: Auzar

by Paul Olson
February 20, 2005

Detroit saxophonist Faruq Z. Bey's third release with the Northwoods Improvisers, Auzar , may be their best collaboration yet; certainly, it benefits from the addition of fellow Detroiters Mike Carey (on bass clarinet and tenor sax) and Skeeter Shelton (on tenor). These three are ably supported by the core Improvisers lineup of Mike Gilmore on vibes and marimba, Mike Johnston on bass, and Nick Ashton on drums. Auzar was recorded live at Central Michigan University in March of 2004 at ...

Dennis González: Old Time Revival

by Frank Rubolino
July 25, 2003

Dennis González consistently has shown the ability to brew a sorcerous concoction of gut-grabbing, throbbing music, and his latest effort with a star-studded lineup of musicians again works its magic. González presents a series of his compositions that demonstrates his unique methodology for combining infectious and rhythmic melody lines with wide open, unstructured improvisations, thus magnetically drawing and holding one inside the music.Playing three variations of trumpet, including the tiny pocket trumpet, González spews out mesmerizing currents that ...

Luc Houtkamp: In Chicago

by Mark Corroto
December 1, 2000

It’s interesting how one’s path of jazz listening arrives at a particular artist. My personal discovery of Netherlands-born saxophonist Luc Houtkamp came via Chicago. Well, actually Germany and Peter Brötzmann. The 1960s free-jazz flame-thrower was travelling to the windy city to play a series of concerts and mentioned the thriving scene that grew up around Ken Vandermark. My discovery of Vandermark’s music led me to his influences in Europe and Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson. You see the Chicago scene draws ...

Jon Rose: Fringe Benefits

by AAJ Staff
November 1, 2000

At a certain point, restlessness can merge into insanity. (I couldn't tell you exactly where that point is, because I'm long past it myself.) Extreme violinist Jon Rose has proven over and over again his restless desire for creative momentum. I'm not really sure where he stands with respect to sanity--but the music he makes is unique, in the most extreme sense. His recent disc The Hyperstring Project on ReR presented a definitive thesis on the integration of improvised violin ...

Jon Rose: Fringe Benefits

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 1999

Fringe Benefits is a compilation of recordings emanating from Jon Rose’ Australian organization baring the same name which was a promotional tool of sorts for improvised music. Rose states in the liners: “.........Over half of these tapes had deteriorated so much that they had become unplayable. I decided to make a sampler of FBR, using material from either cassette or disc (all the LP master tapes except one were sadly destroyed in a Sydney squat)”. Rose discloses that these recordings ...

Northwoods Improvisers: Lightning Darkness

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 1999

The Northwoods Improvisers are basically the same troupe as the Remote Viewing Ensemble (see May 99 AAJ review). Lightning Darkness features a similar approach to RVE; however, some of these pieces are constructed against firm rhythmic structures; although, the main thrust and conceptual approach is that of, improvisation.

The opener, “Lightning Darkness” is at times eerie and tense. Vibes and various percussion instruments steer the way into dark, mysterious places featuring rich yet varied tonal colors, which emit a sense ...

Remote Viewing Ensemble: Remote Viewing Ensemble

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 1999

The Remote Viewing Ensemble are a Michigan based experimental or avant-garde group and feature such instrumentation as: Prepared Guitar, Tapes, Cheng, Bone Guitar and Wood Flutes to cite but a few. This band also takes on another identity, which is The Northwoods Improvisors (see AAJ May 99 review).

This collective of experimentalist’s dabble in many different genres, some of which may be considered “World” or cross-cultural music” yet the gist or perhaps motivational forces gravitates towards free-thinking communal activity. Within ...