Noah P Records Live & Firehouse Season Concludes + Dave Douglas News

Tenor saxophonist and CT native Noah Preminger returns to The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme on Thursday December 10 to record a new album with his "Pivot" quartet. Pivot - Preminger, trumpeter Jason Palmer, bassist Kim Cass and drummer Ian Froman - released its debut CD in September and, to the surprise of many long-time listeners, it was a raucous tribute to the music of blues artist Bukka White.  And, it was quite a "blowing" session with just 2 tracks spread out over the 60-minute program.

Preminger is planning to record the band's next CD at this gig with new songs based on the music of Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins, Skip James, John Lee Hooker and others.  One should expect the music to be powerful, punchy, pungent with the memories of smoky roadhouses and musicians who pushed the borders of their sounds every night.  The band will play 2 sets with the first starting at 8 p.m.  For more information, go to thesidedoorjazz.com or call 860-434-0886.

On Friday, The Side Door welcomes drummer Rodney Green and his Quartet while on Saturday, the venue presents vocalist Kevin Mahogany (pictured left) in a special trio setting.  Mr. Mahogany, one of the most versatile vocalists of the past 25 years, is performing alongside pianist Helen Sung and bassist Mario Panascia.  This is a great venue for the vocalist, intimate. with a good piano played by an excellent accompanist.

Both these nights, the doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the first set at 8:30.  Call the number above for more information.

On Friday December 11, the final concert in the Fall 2015 Firehouse 12 Concert Series takes place and features saxophonist Ned Rothenberg & Inner Diaspora. It's quite a band assembled for this gig including Jerome Harris (bass guitar), Satoshi Takeishi (percussion), Erik Friedlander (cello) and Mark Feldman (violin).  The leader is immersed in the Radical Jewish Culture of the 21st Century, records for John Zorn's Tzadik label, and makes music that challenges one's expectations.  Plus, this is a group of great improvisers so the concert should be great fun.

The first set starts at 8:30 pm with a second set - separate admission - at 10 p.m.

In actuality, Firehouse 12 opens its doors on Saturday for the annual concert from the New Haven Improvisers Collective.  This is the 11th year that the NHIC has presented its members in concert at the venue and each time, the music is fresh and multi-directional.  On this night, there will be 2 separate sets with the first at 8:30 featuring Elm Fiction, a quartet that features NHIC founder Bob Gorry (guitar), Jeff Cedrone (guitar, keyboards, electronics), Adam Matlock (accordion) and Tom Hogan (drums, vibes).  The 10 p.m. set belongs to Fuchsprellen, a trio with Pete Brunelli (bass, electronics), Peter Riccio (drums) and John Venter (saxophone). Expect a number of guests to come by and participate.  For more information about the Collective, go to www.nhic-music.org.

For tickets to either or both shows, go to firehouse12.com or call 203-785-0468.

Dave Douglas (trumpet, compositions) has always been a busy artist, literally hopping from one project to another, one studio or concert venue seemingly every week.  The weekend before the most recent Thanksgiving, Douglas and his Brazen Heart quintet - Jon Irabagon (tenor saxophone), Matt Mitchell (piano), Linda Oh (bass), and Rudy Royston (drums, and then some) played 4 nights, 8 sets, at the Jazz Standard in New York City, recording each note and releasing the results through his Greenleaf Music website.  Having seen and heard the band a week prior to the NYC gig, I knew what to expect yet the music is so explosive and exciting, melodic and heartfelt, it always sounds so fresh. Go to www.greenleafmusic.com to find out more (and listen to some of the program.)

When you get to the front page of the Greenleaf website, you'll see Mr. Douglas has another new album.  This one was recorded last year when the trumpeter wrote new music for the Monash Art Ensemble, a group located at Monash University in Victoria, Australia working under the watchful eyes and attentive ears of pianist Paul Grabowsky. The recording, titled "Fabliaux", has just been issued -  the music is based on the work of the 14th century French Ars Nova, with composers, in particular Guillaume De Machaut (1300 -1377) who specialized in both secular and sacred polyphony.  Yet, what I have heard of this music, performed by an ensemble consisting of 15 musicians plus Mr. Douglas, it sounds fresh, full of lively improvisations and impressive interactions.

We listeners certainly are fortunate that Dave Douglas continues to follow his muse. Give a listen and then go the website to find out more.