“For those who value jazz experimentation at its most audacious and fiercely committed…” Chicago Tribune
“If you are serious about the future of jazz you cannot afford to miss this.” Jazz Review Magazine
“Passionate stuff, it is in your face music.” Down Beat
“Music with impact of a knockout punch…it swells and explodes with ballistic intensity.” - Chicago Reader
“The rapport is obvious and the product is engrossing.” Coda
“High energy and spirited interplay.” Jazz USA
“The fire never obscures the beauty.” New Creative Music...
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“For those who value jazz experimentation at its most audacious and fiercely committed…” Chicago Tribune
“If you are serious about the future of jazz you cannot afford to miss this.” Jazz Review Magazine
“Passionate stuff, it is in your face music.” Down Beat
“Music with impact of a knockout punch…it swells and explodes with ballistic intensity.” - Chicago Reader
“The rapport is obvious and the product is engrossing.” Coda
“High energy and spirited interplay.” Jazz USA
“The fire never obscures the beauty.” New Creative Music
“Anyone who likes improvised music should not miss this group.” Splendid
“Intellect connects with feelings and desire…musicians in full communication with themselves and each other.” Cadence
“Energetic forays, moments of soul bearing and an exploration of musical boundaries.” - Signal to Noise
“Lots of nuanced interaction where collective improvisation is in the forefront.” -All About Music
Joel Futterman and Steve Swell are dedicated to exploring new directions in the art of “in the moment” collectively improvised music. They combine skilled musicianship with a celebration of improvisational conversations that take the listener on musical journeys spanning the emotions and musical genres. Their shared goal is artistic freedom and devotion to the unexpected as they stretch and push the boundaries of tonality, rhythm, and harmony. They are determined to push the limits and redefine the genre of improvisational music. This is a tight improvisational unit whose hearts and ears are open to each other, and whose music is always fresh and new.
Joel Futterman, Piano, Indian Flute
Known for his spirited, highly imaginative, and innovative piano technique, Joel Futterman is an internationally recognized veteran pioneer into the frontiers of spontaneous, improvised music. He is considered one of the foremost inventive and adventurous artists shaping the creative, progressive music scene today. Futterman continuously pushes the limits of the piano as he explores new musical horizons. He has performed across North America and Europe including at such noted music festivals as The Tampere Jazz Festival in Finland, the Vision Festival in New York, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The Nickelsdorf Festival in Austria, the Guelph Festival in Canada, the Siberia Jazz Festival in Russia, teaching and performing in Denmark at the Jyderup School,, and performances at many other festivals and venues. He has compiled a discography of over 70 recordings and has performed with such notable jazz innovators as Jimmy Lyons, Joseph Jarman, Richard Davis, William Parker, Hal Russell, Ike Levin, Steve Swell, as well as Edward “Kidd” Jordan and Alvin Fielder with whom he has had a highly productive association. Futterman, originally from Chicago, lives in near seclusion in Virginia Beach, VA where he replenishes his musical energies between performances. www.joelfutterman.com
Steve Swell , Trombone
Steve Swell has been active in the NYC music community since 1975. He has toured and recorded with many artists from mainstreamers such as Lionel Hampton and Buddy Rich to progressive artists like Anthony Braxton, Bill Dixon, Cecil Taylor and William Parker. He has 50 CDs as a leader or co-leader and is featured on more than 125 other releases. He runs workshops around the world and is a teaching artist in the NYC public school system. Steve has worked on music transcriptions of the Bosavi tribe of New Guinea for MacArthur fellow Steve Feld in 2000, received a grant from USArtists International in 2006, an MCAF (LMCC) award in 2008 and 2013 and has been commissioned three times on the Interpretations Series in 2006, 2012 and 2017. In 2014 he received a Creative Curricula grant (LMCC), was nominated Trombonist of the Year 2008 & 2011 (Jazz Journalists Association), and received the 2008 Jubilation Foundation Fellowship Award (Tides Foundation) for his work in NYC public schools and has been recognized by the Downbeat Critics Poll in the Trombone category each year from 2010-2016. He was selected Trombonist of the Year 2008-2010, 2012, 2014-2016 by the Argentinian journal El Intruso. Steve's recording "Soul Travelers (RogueArt LP) was selected as an Album of the Year 2016 in the NYC Jazz Record. On June 13 of this year Steve will have his piece "Music for Six Musicians" featuring Matt Shipp and Jason Hwang recorded live by Silkheart Records at Metro Baptist Church in NYC. In October 2017 Steve will present his piece with text, "Leaf Peeping in Poland" on his experience visiting the Auschwitz concentration camp for the Interpretations Series at Roulette. www.steveswell.com
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