AprilCadence2013

Short Takes USA: Philadelphia
Factor, featuring bassist Joe Fonda and saxophonist Jon Irabagon, hit at the
Philadelphia Art Alliance (PAA) on 1/14 (Ars Nova W), just two days after the
leader reset his personal time clock to 70. Perhaps it was the jammed-packed
room that funneled the trio's stellar performance but they gave it their all and
Altschul was impressively creative, especially when dueting with long-time
partner, Fonda. The two of them are really fine at making sound together.
Irabagon added lyrical modern bop, many times playing near the edge but
never losing control. “It was the last gig of the series,” Fonda said, “I guess we
were going for the gusto!” Altschul has moved back to Manhattan from
Maryland and is busy with a number of projects including European and
Buenos Aires cats who don't come to the States…A standing room only crowd
was on hand a mere 4 days later at the Art Alliance (ANW) for The Whammies
- a merged unit of eccentrics from Boston, Chicago and Amsterdam, headed
by Jorrit Dijkstra (as, elec, Lyricon), a former student of the late Steve Lacy.
The band also included Han Bennink (d), Mary Oliver (vin), Jeb Bishop (tbn),
Pandelis Karayorgis (p) and Nate McBride (b). Taking their name from a
Steve Lacy tune, The Whammies exist to cover Lacy's work and do so in a
totally unique fashion. Dijkstra's occasional electronics and Lyricon usage,
stamps uniqueness to the project and adds varying degrees of musical success.
“Sublimation” (for Sun Ra) began with Bennink shouting, “Space is the Place”
in his endearing Dutch accent. A long drum solo soon ensued with Bennink's
big shoe firmly placed on the top of the floor toms, creating entertaining stimuli
for the eye, but more importantly, for the ear. He's matchlessly capable of
going through histrionics yet keeping it musical. Dijkstra got in some squeaky
electronics that distracted when dueting with Oliver, who sawed her violin to
bridge sounds. Each member had their moments to stand out, although
karayorgis, a sadly under-acclaimed pianist, was difficult to hear in the middle
of the boisterous band…Billy Cobham's baby turns 40 this year - his first
solo recording - the seminal Spectrum. He commemorated the event by forming
a touring band with an artist he played with 40 years ago - violinist Jerry
Goodman - 30 years ago - guitarist Dean Brown - 20 years ago - keyboardist
Gary Husband - and younger artist - bass guitarist Ric Fierabracci. Cobham's
sold-out show at Phoenixville's iconic Colonial Theatre (featured in the 1958
classic science fiction movie The Blob) on 1/24 was met with rave reviews and
cheers from his fans, especially after an early rendition of “Stratus,” which featured
a magnificent percussion solo and a tour-de-force display by Brown who
kicked it chicken legged style when jamming full force (really- his legs go
knee-knocking). The big news here is the presence of fellow original
Mahavishnu Orchestra member Goodman (only the second tour he's done
with Cobham in 40 years) who hasn't lost a chop on violin. This band's so
good they give fusion a good name. Cobham is impressively nice off stage,
patient and giving to his audience, and he's also a talented photographer for
49 | CadenCe Magazine | april May June 2013