aram shelton quartet.
The Aram Shelton Quartet features Chicago-based musicians Keefe Jackson, Anton Hatwich and Marc Riordan. Related to the Fast Citizens (Delmark), of which Shelton, Jackson and Hatwich are all members, this quartet displays a musical range on their debut album "These Times" that encompasses free swing, creative improvisation, space & patience, and fiery energy.
In the quartet, Shelton plays equal amounts of alto saxophone & clarinet, approaching each distinctly while displaying both the large and subtle differences of the instruments. Jackson contributes on tenor saxophone with a full sound and unique approach to the utilization of extended techniques. Hatwich's bass playing grounds the music and drives it in a compelling way, while Riordan's drums serve as backbone to the rhythmic aspects and a frame to the open sections.
"These Times"is available directly through Singlespeed Music, the Jazz Record Mart in Chicago and the Downtown Music Gallery in NYC.
It can be downloaded directly at Bandcamp.
Aram Shelton Quartet: These Times
Singlespeed Music SSM-007
$14.00 + shipping.
Keefe Jackson is a Chicago saxophonist, clarinetist, improvisor, and composer. He arrived in Chicago in 2001 from his native Fayetteville, Arkansas. He performs regularly with many musicians including Tim Daisy, Dave Rempis, Jeb Bishop, Jason Roebke, Guillermo Gregorio, Jason Adasiewicz, Mike Reed, Jason Stein, Josh Berman, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Frank Rosaly, and Marc Unternaehrer in groups such as the Fast Citizens, Chicago Luzern Exchange, and his own Project Project. As an improvisor he has also played with Michael Moore, Ab Baars, Michiel Braam, and Anthony Coleman. Recordings are available on Delmark and Clean Feed Records.
Bassist Anton Hatwich has made Chicago his home since 2003. He performs regularly in the city in addition to recording and touring nationally and internationally. His list of collaborators includes some of the most active members of the creative improvised music community: Josh Berman, Frank Rosaly, Nick Mazzarella, Marc Riordan, Paul Giallorenzo, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Jeb Bishop, Kyle Bruckmann, and Jason Adasciewicz. Current projects and working bands include The Fast Citizens, Josh Berman’s Old Idea, Keefe Jackson’s Project Project, Nick Mazzarella Trio, Kyle Bruckmann’s Wrack, Nick Broste Trio, and Paul Giallorenzo’s Get In to Go Out.
Musician and composer Marc Riordan grew up in Boston, where he attended the New England Conservatory of Music and studied with Steve Lacy, Ran Blake, Joe Hunt and Rakalam Bob Moses among others. Since moving to Chicago in 2006 he has kept a regular performance schedule, working in a variety of contexts with improvisers such as Nate McBride, Jaimie Branch, Brian Labycz, Frank Rosaly, Tim Daisy, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and dancer Julia Mayer. He currently performs in Never Enough Hope, Jason Ajemian and the HighLife, Josh Berman's Old Idea, Breakway, and rock outfits Wishgift, Frigates, and Health and Beauty. Additionally, he works as a music instructor and concert organizer in the Chicago area.
Shelton and Jackson share a rapport that makes sessions like this one sound somewhat effortless even though the collaborative energy spent to get there was obviously deep and rewarding - Derek Taylor