NYS Music 20​13

Tag: improvisational

  • Get Lucky this Friday the 13th with The Kollectiv and Groovestick

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    This Friday at 9pm don’t miss two of Upstate New York’s fresh and funky bands, The Kollectiv and GrooveStick, appearing at The Hollow in Albany. Groovestick has become a growing Capital District sensation with their heavy organ infused, progressive funk. The trio is a collaboration with Dan Gerken on guitar (Timbre Coup/Mirk), Chris Carballeira on organ/keys (Dirty Paris, Funk Evolution) and Frantz Celestin on drum kit (The Kollectiv, Dirty Paris).

    This will be a special reunion show for The Kollectiv, since they have had band members living on the west coast and haven’t played together for months. The original lineup consists of keyboardist Eric Luba, guitarist Jaden Carlson, Frantz Celestin on drums (GrooveStick), Chris Duffy on bass (Dirty Paris), Lars Viola on turntables (M.A.E.), and guitarist Taylor Frederick (Technicolor Tone Factory). Deep into December, they are staying true to the old holiday saying, “There’s no place like home for the holidays” and eager to see long awaited fans and friends in Albany and at the Black Oak Tavern in Oneonta on Saturday.

    Before their big weekend, was lucky to catch some free time with Taylor Frederick about their time apart, practice and the year ahead.

    Susan Rice: It’s been quite some time since the Kollectiv performed in Upstate New York. What have you guys been working on since your time off?

    Taylor Frederick: Well Duffy is finishing up college in Albany as of right now, Lars is down in NYC producing and working with his hip-hop projects at True Statement., Frantz has been hard at work with his new funk trio Groovestick, and Eric and myself moved out to Boulder, CO at the end of May, and dove into the music scene out here pretty quickly. He is now in The Jaden Carlson Band, and I am now playing with Technicolor Tone Factory. As for Eric and myself, I know JCB is planning on a two month national tour starting at the end of February or beginning of March, and TTF will also be on tour at that time heading west toward California, and also heading south into Texas around the same time. Tour dates are going to be released in early 2014.

    SR: Do you find it difficult to keep in touch with band members living across the country? Do you log in practice time with each other?

    TF: It’s a little difficult at times. You tend to get caught up in life, and sometimes that makes time fly by a bit faster than one would like. But we do keep in touch quite a bit. Since Eric and I are out here we have been running the old stuff and some new surprises for the run and the rest of the boys have been doing their own individual runs on the material.

    SR: Do you guys feel like you will need like you need a lot of practice before the show? I would be nervous if I had to play with a band that I haven’t seen in month’s haha.

    TF: Well the funny story is the band was founded on straight improv, even the songs. We just kind of get lucky that we all know them well enough that when we hear a tease of something, we all pick up on it and can go right in. It’s a pretty amazing bond to have with a group of musicians. It doesn’t happen often but when it does its magic. For the run however we have been learning a bunch of new material on our own, and whatever we decide on, the setlists will kind of determine what we can fit in between point A and point B.

    SR: What is the band most excited for on your Holiday/reunion run in Upstate NY?

    TF: We’re just pumped to be playing music together again. It’s always a good time when we get together. Our friends from all over the place always come out as well and we seem to make new ones at ever show. It’s slowly turning into just a giant family reunion.

    SR: Does the Kollectiv have any plans for 2014 that fans can look forward to? New music? More East Coast shows?

    TF: As far as 2014 you never know. There have been some old studio recordings that just may resurface, and maybe a couple festival appearances? We’ll have to wait and see. Right now just keep an eye out for JCB, TTF, Groovestick, M.A.E, Dirty Paris and our other respected projects!

  • Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Brings Westcott to New Plane

    Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe brought its brand of classic and masterfully innovative improvisational jazz funk to the Westcott Theater on September 17th. Comprised of an ensemble of veteran-status, time-tested talent, Tiny Universe was able to maintain a captivating energy that after a very long set, left listeners wanting even more. And they delivered.

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    How was this possible you ask? Karl Denson is a machine. Plain and simple. Don’t let the gray hairs on his beard mislead you. His presence and music are loud, energetic, fast, strong, and beautifully complex. This guy tears through airwaves like they were toilet paper. Based on his insanely muscular build, it looks like he could tear through a phone book or two also. But as Karl wowed us with his wild funky jazz lines, he reassured us that he was not just one mean-blowin’, jacked badass, but more of that wise, cool uncle-type that pushes you to be your best. About two thirds of the way through the set, he took the audience aside and gave us guys a pep talk on how to effectively get your groove back. It included a lesson on “Washing your a**.” It was funny, endearing and a great segue into a groovy jam.

    It wasn’t all about Karl though. Given, Lenny Kravitz’s band and Slightly Stoopid are pretty big credentials, but Denson’s counterparts were nothing to be scoffed at. Chris Littlefield held down the a somber, poetic and often avant garde vibe on the trumpet and flugelhorn, while a young-looking DJ Williams kept an explosive energy in his solos and a tight-funky sound to his rhythm guitar. Although these two players served as the pillars in support of Denson’s mastery, all of the band’s music was worthy of praise. Of special note to this humble listener was a long improv set based on a classic by David “Fathead” Newman (saxophonist for Ray Charles and Herbie Mann) called “Front Money.” It was hot. And as an encore they played their take on “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes.  This song also featured a sick solo from the brassy-sassy female trombonist from the Mike Dillon Band. It was a great way to end a night of great music.