Tomeka Reid Quartet

Tomeka Reid Quartet

Over the last decade or so Chicago cellist and composer Tomeka Reid has emerged as one of the most original, versatile, and curious musicians in the cityâ€™s bustling jazz and improvised music community. Her distinctive melodic sensibility, usually braided to a strong sense of groove, has been featured in many distinguished ensembles over the years. Sheâ€™s been a key member of ensembles led by legendary reedists like Anthony Braxton and Roscoe Mitchell, as well as a younger generation of visionaries including flutist Nicole Mitchell, singer Dee Alexander, and drummer Mike Reed. Sheâ€™s also a founding member of the adventurous string trio called Hear in Now, with violinist Mazz Swift and bassist Silvia Bolognesi, but until now Reid had yet to release a recording where sheâ€™s the bandleader. That all changes with the eponymous recording by the Tomeka Reid Quartet, the lively, charged debut album from her remarkable ensemble a vibrant showcase not only for the cellistâ€™s improvisational acumen, but also her knack for dynamic arrangements and her compositional ability. Reid, 37, grew up outside of Washington D.C., but her musical career only kicked into gear after moving to Chicago in 2000 to attend DePaul University for grad school, yet her work with Nicole Mitchell and various Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians-related groups proved just as influential to the young musician. By focusing on developing her craft primarily as a sideperson and working in countless improvisational contexts, Reid achieved a stunning musical maturity largely outside of spotlight, but eventually her talent and ideas became too powerful to remain invisible. In recent years sheâ€™s become a marquee name in her hometown and her unique abilities have warranted the high- grade company found on this remarkable quartet record. Halvorson is one of the most recognizable guitarists of her generation, a musicians whoâ€™s won accolades from both side of the Atlantic, through her own bands and projects with Braxton, Stephan Crump, Ingrid Laubrock, Tom Rainey, and Ches Smith, among others. She also is a member of Fujiwaraâ€™s excellent quintet the Hook-Up, one of several dynamic ensembles led or co-led by the drummer, whoâ€™s worked frequently with cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum and reedist Matana Roberts. Heâ€™s also played in the Indian brass band Red Baraat as well as the Steve Lacy repertory group Ideal Bread. Roebke is a bandleader in his own right, scoring deserved praise with the debut recording by his octet in 2014; heâ€™s also served as the harmonic anchor for a veritable whoâ€™s who of Chicago bandleaders including Mike Reed, vibist Jason Adasiewicz, clarinetist James Falzone, and cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, among numerous others. But now itâ€™s time for Tomeka Reid to garner the attention, and her writing and playing on this recording practically guarantee it. The music here swings fiercely and elegantly, but that doesnâ€™t mean sparks donâ€™t flyâ€” whether its multilinear heat Reid and Halvorson generate from their contrapuntal soloing on â€œ17 Westâ€ or the cool, slaloming phrasing on the cellistâ€™s homage to violin great Billy Bang on â€œBilly Bangâ€™s Bounce.â€ The group had only performed the music a few times before the sessions, and Reid notes that the chemistry was immediate. â€œIt turned out to work really well,â€ she says. â€œThey were all really respectful and open and gave fresh new interpretations to the music.â€
Country USA
Brand THIRSTY EAR
Manufacturer Thirsty Ear
Binding Audio CD
ItemPartNumber 0700435721029
Model 0700435721029
ReleaseDate 2015-09-25
UnitCount 1
UPCs 700435721029
EANs 0700435721029

Country	USA
Brand	THIRSTY EAR
Manufacturer	Thirsty Ear
Binding	Audio CD
ItemPartNumber	0700435721029
Model	0700435721029
ReleaseDate	2015-09-25
UnitCount	1
UPCs	700435721029
EANs	0700435721029

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