Art Ensemble of Chicago with Cecil Taylor (1984)

Wow! I can put YouTube videos of some of the leading lights of CMS (and maybe even some not-so-leading lights) into blog posts.

Well, duh. . . of course you can.

Watch this:

CMS Recordings Preserved

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LEGENDARY RECORDINGS OF
CREATIVE MUSIC STUDIO TO BE PRESERVED:
More than 400 performances by ground-breaking composer/performers of the World Jazz and New Music genre (1972-1986).

INNOVATIVE PROJECT WITH PLANET ARTS IGNITES
NEW PHASE OF KARL BERGER'S CREATIVE MUSIC FOUNDATION

(WOODSTOCK, NY) Sept. 12: The Creative Music Foundation (CMF), in collaboration with Planet Arts, has launched a new project to preserve the recorded archive of the legendary Creative Music Studio (CMS). The CMS Archive contains more than 400 audio and video tapes of live performances by some of the world's greatest musical innovators, recorded from 1972 to 1986 at the CMS facilities in Woodstock NY. as well as other concert sites in the US.

The collection of recordings is unique in its artistic scope and depth, capturing spontaneous performances by some of the most outstanding and ground-breaking composers/performers in World Jazz, World Music and New Music. CMS served as an incubator for new music for nearly 15 years, providing a musical laboratory for contemporary masters, guiding ensembles of highly motivated emerging artists and expanding the language of contemporary improvised music.

Among the artists leading ensembles on these archive recordings are Don Cherry, Anthony Braxton, Leo Smith, Foday Suso, Abdullah Ibrahim, Roscoe Mitchell, Joseph Jarman, Cecil Taylor, Jimmy Giuffre, Frederic Rzewski, Carla Bley, Dave Holland, Paulo Moura, Nana Vasconcelos, Pauline Oliveros, Karl Berger, Ingrid Sertso, Baikida Carroll, Trilok Gurtu, Steve Gorn, Ismet Siral, Jack DeJohnette, Fred Frith, Oliver Lake, Lee Konitz, Leroy Jenkins, George Lewis, and others (a complete list is available at: www.CreativeMusicStudio.org).

The CMS/Planet Arts project is considered revolutionary in that the re-mastered recordings will be returned to the contributing artists for their unrestricted use. Selected tracks of these recordings will be made available by participating artists to be included in a special CMS series of CD/DVD compilations.

CMF is partnering with Planet Arts to create an imprint label (Planet Arts/CMS records) that will jointly promote the project and disseminate the recorded packages through the Planet Arts International network and to the CMS network of artists, contributors and members, as well as to educational institutions and dedicated radio hosts. Planet Arts Recordings is a GRAMMY Award winning,
not-for-profit, 501(c) 3 Label.

Founded in 1971 by Karl Berger, Ingrid Sertso and Ornette Coleman, the Creative Music Studio (CMS) brought together leading innovators in the jazz and world music communities. During the '70's and '80's, the Woodstock-based Creative Music Studio was considered the premier study center for contemporary creative music. Unprecedented in its range and diversity, CMS was an acknowledged phenomenon in the international music world, providing participants with the rare opportunity to interact personally with the musical giants of improvisation and musical thought on a daily basis.

CMS is credited as the birthplace of Worldjazz - the improvisational and compositional expansion of the world's musical traditions. Now one of the main driving forces in many styles of music, this concept was pioneered very early at CMS, guided by authentic leaders.

A popular book about the Creative Music Studio, "Music Universe, Music Mind: Revisiting the Creative Music Studio, Woodstock NY", written by Robert E. Sweet, was published in 1996 by Arborville Publishing.

For more information on the CMS/Planet Arts Archive project contact:

Thomas Bellino, Planet Arts
518 945 2669
planetarts@earthlink.net
<http://www.PlanetArts.org>

or

Karl Berger, CMS
845 679 8847
creativemusic@verizon.net
<http://www.CreativeMusicStudio.org>

Nick Didkovsky Doin's

News from Nick:

Tonight (Friday Sep 14 2007), two great bands playing my tunes, at two different venues:

1) Electric Kompany, 7:30 pm at the Ethical Society of Lincoln Center (64th st. and Central Park West).
The opening concert of the 2007-8 Wordless Music series.
EK will be premiering one movement of my new 11 movement suite "Human Dog" for EK and Ethel. Ethel won't be there tonight (the double quartet will premiere all of Human Dog on late October). But this should be an exciting preview!
For tickets/info http://www.wordlessmusic.tickets.musictoday.com/WordlessMusicSeries/calendar.aspx

2) Meridian Arts Ensemble, 7:30 pm Borden Hall, Manhattan School of Music
Part of the new Graduate Comtemporary Performance Program

The following pieces to be performed without pause:
Remedial Eminent Brass Nick Didkovsky (2000)
Fanfare for All Milton Babbitt (1993)
Denser Mealtime Brains Nick Didkovsky (2000)
Mini Overture Witold Lutoslawski (1982)
Mantra I Mark Applebaum (2006)
The Black Page no. 1 (solo drums) Frank Zappa (1977)
Saóko Tania Leon (1997)
Last Inane Dismemberer Nick Didkovsky (2000)
Dimensions Dafnis Prieto (2005)
Meanie Master Blinders Nick Didkovsky (2000)


Rock on
Nick

Karl Berger and Friends: "In the Spirit of Don Cherry"

IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB
1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st)
NEW YORK, NY 10023
RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121
http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com/
Sets At 8:00 & 10:00PM

Karl Berger and Friends: "In the Spirit of Don Cherry"
Sept. 19 at The Iridium Jazz Club
Steven Bernstein, tp, Peter Apfelbaum, ts/fl, Bob Stewart, tuba, Mark Helias, bass, Tani Tabbal, dr., Ingrid Sertso, vocals, Karl Berger, piano/vibes



A Symphony for Improvisors that continues the exuberant spirit of Don Cherry. Karl Berger brings together an All Star Group of the highest caliber. The music is emotionally charged, bringing together many world-musical elements in a relaxed mix of themes and improvisations.

Pianist/vibist Karl Berger is a six time winner of the Downbeat Critics Poll as a jazz soloist and the recipient of numerous Composition Awards. A long-time associate of Don', Karl formed the Creative Music Studio with the help of Ornette Coleman, where Don developed many of his musical treasures.

Trumpeter Steven Bernstein may be the ultimate Downtown jazz personality. Certainly, he's one of the most ubiquitous. Steven worked closely with Don in Peter Apfelbaum's "Hieroglyphics Ensemble".
If you're curious to hear what a virtuoso tuba player sounds like, you won't want to miss Bob Stewart. Bob played with Don on many occasions and is always good for improvisational surprises.

Saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum has been called "a visionary, galvanic performer / composer like few others of his time." Peter was Don Cherry's music director and associate for many years, touring the world with him.

Bob Stewart’s distinctive tuba playing has been featured with such artists as Don Cherry, Charles Mingus, Gil Evans, Carla Bley, David Murray, Taj Mahal, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Arthur Blythe, and Freddie Hubbard to name a few.

Mark Helias is one of the finest acoustic bass players in contemporary jazz, a guy who can play inside as well as out and who stretches the boundaries in both directions. Mark also frequently performed with Don Cherry.

Drummer Tani Tabbal became known for his fluidity with odd and mixed meters, pushing the jazz medium along with blending world rhythms, His approach has been compared to Ed Blackwell, who was Don Cherry's favorite drummer.
Ingrid Sertso established herself as a captivating, adventurous vocalist, capable of blending jazz, African, South American and other world-beat influences into a distinctive, hypnotic sound. Ingrid was Don's favorite singer/poet. He asked her to write the lyrics to his famed song Art Deco, which is part of the repertoire of "In the Spirit of Don Cherry"

This is a show not to be missed.

Watazumido Doso Roshi

Watazumido Doso Roshi(1910-1992) is perhaps the most legendary of all modern shakuhachi players and teachers. He brought his concept of music as not music to CMS in the fall of 1981.
Go see http://www.shakulute.com/R-Shaku-Watazumido.html.

Were you there? Do you recall any of the sessions from this master's sessions? If so, please send me an email message.

bsweet[at]arborville.com

Donnie Davis

Saxophonist Donnie has a new CD with pianist Joe Deleault. They're also working on a project with poet F.D. Reeve. Go see at http://www.davisanddeleault.com.

Inauguration of the Ismet Siral Creative Music Studio in Istanbul

Dost Kip seems to have really pulled it off. (See my February 8 posting, below.)

In July of this year, there was a major event in Istanbul at what has come to be called the Ismet Siral Creative Music Studio (see http://www.iscms.org/). It featured many Woodstock luminaries (Karl Berger, Ingrid Sertso, Steve Gorn, John Lindberg, Tani Tabbal, Marilyn Crispell), old CMS friends (Trilok Gurtu, Henry Grimes, Carlos Ward), and several of Turkey's reigning improvisational masters.

Sounds like the good old days (read the book Music Universe, Music Mind).

Francesco Matinelli has a very nice account of the event at the All About Jazz site (see http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=22858 ).

Adam Rudolph's Pure Rhythm

I have not yet gotten my copy of Adam Rudolph's book Pure Rhythm: Rhythm Cycles and Polymetric Patterns for Instrumentalists, Percussionists, Composers and Music Educators, but I know this for sure: If you are at all interested in gaining a better understanding of the rhythmic wisdom that informs all musics of the world from all times, traditions, and cultures, you must own a copy of Pure Rhythm.

Well, how can you say that, Bob, if you haven't even held the book in your hand?

I know Adam, I know his experience and his mastery, and I know that every word of the testimonials at his book's website is true.

Go there right now and buy a copy.

Peace and Music

Larry Chernicoff on Internet Radio

Here's this, just in from Larry Chernicoff:

"Friends

My weekly radio show from Great Barrington, Massachusetts ('Beauty and the Beat') is now being streamed live, online. If you have a high-speed Internet connection, you can get it live.

It's an eclectic mix of music, in which anything can follow anything -- jazz, classical, rock, oldies, folk, Italian, Indian, African, Latin, medieval - complete musical equality and lots of fun.

The show is on every Thursday from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Eastern time in the USA. If you're at your computer, tune in!

Go to http://www.berkshireradio.org/ and then click on "Listen Now".

Music,

Larry Chernicoff "

George Cartwright's new record "Ghostly Bee"

George Cartwright, who birthed his group Curlew at the Creative Music Studio, has a new collection of recorded musical selections to delight you. The album is called "Ghostly Bee."

Go to amazon.com and gitchoo a copy right now. Or, type "ghostly bee" into your favorite web search engine and find any of a number of online vendors whom you might prefer to patronize.

Go pay George a visit at http://www.georgecartwright.com. He'll be glad you came.

Karl Berger Leaves UMass Dartmouth

Karl Berger has ended his most recent stint in the world of formal, higher education. (See the January 7, 2005 posting in this blog.) He's back full time in the "dangerous free-lance life."

He and Ingrid recently returned from Sicily where they performed "In the Spirit of Don Cherry" with an octet consisting of Karl, Ingrid, Graham Haynes (trumpet), Carlos Ward ( alto sax ), Peter Apfelbaum ( tenor sax, flute, percussion, piano ), Bob Stewart ( tuba ), Mark Helias ( bass ), Billy Elgart ( drums ).Karl and bassist John Lindberg are teaming up, as they have on many occasions over many years, for a series of performances and educational residencies. They have a duo recording coming out on Between the Lines Records, a German label, which will be distributed internationally this spring. For information on their projects, contact maximalmusic@hv.rr.com.

Karl and Ingrid have released a duet recording, which is a pilot for a series of CMS releases entitled Artists Create Recordings (ACR). The next one will be an album by CMS alumnus Sylvain Leroux, a world-musical (African) mix.

Karl is still arranging for some selected singer songwriters, through a company called wacbiz.com. You can download tracks of independent productions there, itunes style.

"So you see we are keeping busy," Karl says.

Yes, we see. Sure beats the college life, dangerous as free-lancing may be.

Leroy Jenkins' "Coincidents" at Long Island University

Leroy Jenkins was one of the first of the AACM luminaries to come to CMS in the early seventies. Before my time there, unfortunately, because I've come to understand that his contribuiton was considerable, and I'm sorry I missed him.

I'm still not over the guilt that I inflicted upon myself when, upon meeting him at a Leroy Jenkins, Myra Melford, Joseph Jarman gig in a Detroit suburb a few years back, he said, "Why didn't you interview me for your book?" (Music Universe, Music Mind).

Why, indeed? It was one of my great oversights in my haste to get the book done and out there.

I'm trying to make it up to him just a little bit here by encouraging you to go see his "multi-media opera-in-progress."

"Brooklyn, New York -- 651 ARTS presents the second installation of Coincidents: a multi-media opera-in-progress composed by Leroy Jenkins and written by Mary Griffin, at Long Island University's (LIU) Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, February 10, 2006. This one-night-only performance fits another piece to Jenkins and Griffin's family history puzzle, meshing media, oratorio and opera as only they can. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 651 ARTS at 718-636-4181 x2229 or go to www.651arts.org. To purchase tickets call LIU's box office at 718.488.1624." (From All About Jazz.)

CMS in Istanbul?

Well, yeah, sure. Istanbul came to CMS in Woodstock in the early eighties in the personage of Ismet Siral. Now, it's turning around as filmmaker and Ismet Siral promoter Dost Kip works to create a Turkish version of CMS in his home town.

It's a fascinating exchange. Check out Dost Kip's website at www.ismetsiral.org.

Henry Grimes, Marilyn Crispell, Tani Tabbal, Roswell Rudd

I received this from Margaret Davis (www.HenryGrimes.com;www.jazznewyork.org). Wish I could be there.

"Saturday, Feb. 25 at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY: Henry Grimes workshop in Bard Hall at 4 p.m; Henry Grimes Quartet featuring Marilyn Crispell & Tani Tabbal + special guest Roswell Rudd, concert in Olin Auditorium at 8 p.m., 845-876-7666, -7425 (Bard Center), 8OO-227-3265, www.bard.edu/jazzatbard, StPierre@bard.edu, corleone62@aol.com."

Speaking of Marilyn Crispell, I'm enjoying the heck out of the Marilyn Crispell instructional video that I got for Christmas. It's called A Pianist's Guide to Free Improvisation. Go buy a copy.

It's great to have you in my living room, Marilyn.

Creativity and Consciousness at the University of Michigan

There was a fascinating event here in Ann Arbor on September 25. Ed Sarath, who is the director of jazz and improvised music here at the University of Michigan, brought in filmmaker David Lynch and his compatriots John Hagelin and Fred Travis for a presentation in creativity and consciousness. This is an area that, like music, is near and dear to Ed's heart. He has been instrumental in establishing a formal Program in Creativity and Consciousness Studies at U-M, and as part of that program, he's brought in a number of enlightening speakers.

Lynch introduced us his Foundation for Consciousness Based Education and World Peace. Hagelin, a world-renowned quantum physicist, educator, author, and public policy expert, discussed the possibilities that exist when scientific exploration becomes united with techniques of consciousness expansion. Fred Travis, a highly regarded brain researcher showed us, literally, how brains and brain waves are affected by meditation.

What does any of this have to do with the Creative Music Studio? Ed Sarath is the tie in by virtue of his connection with Karl Berger, which began at the Banff Center way back in the early eighties. Ed and Karl collaborated most recently on a recording, concert, and workshop here at U-M about two years ago. Ed's responsible for introducing Karl Berger-flavored teaching methods (notably the gamala taki rhythm training) to the U-M School of Music.

Check out all of Ed's websites:
http://www.edsarath.com
http://isimprov.com
http://www.statenow.org

Is L.A. the Center of the Creative-Music Universe?

Probably not. But not for a lack of effort on Adam Rudolph's part. His series of concerts and workshops with his Go: Organic Orchestra sound to me (from the press releases I've received) to be absolutely mouth watering. Go to http://www.metarecords.com/go.htm to learn more.

Adam Rudolph was one of the most giving and positive people I interviewed for the book Music Universe, Music Mind. His stories about his playing experiences at the Creative Music Studio with the Mandingo Griot Society and a group of Turkish musicians will give you a true appreciation of the meaning of world music.

Still Alive and Kickin'

Oh, mercy, it's a been a long while since my last post--but I'm still here. Anybody out there?

Some quick news bullets:

• You can now buy the book Music Universe, Music Mind: Revisiting the Creative Music Studio, Woodstock, New York using PayPal. Go to http://www.arborville.com/cms/ordermumm.html. PayPal is easy to use, and they accept all major credit cards. Be in the know! Read it! The Creative Music Studio was the twentieth century's most forward-looking musical community in all of creative-jazz-avant-garde-experimental-new-world music. It was unique and it was amazing.
  
• A Don Cherry Celebration, October 1-23, 2005 at the Stone in New York City, U.S.A. Go to http://www.thestonenyc.com/calendar.php?month=1 . Wow. This is an extraordinary event-- a series of extraordinary events really.
  

"Gittin' to know" George Lewis

Check out the maiden issue of Critical Studies in Improvisation, in which you can read "Gittin' to Know Y'all: Improvised Music, Interculturalism and the Racial Imagination," by the soulfully erudite George Lewis. George--trombonist, scholar, electronic-music trailblazer-- was one of several AACM musicians who helped to give the Creative Music Studio its distinctive flavor and to help garner its international reputation.

"Critical Studies in Improvisation/ Études critiques en improvisation is an open-access, peer-reviewed, electronic, academic journal on improvisation, community, and social practice housed at the University of Guelph." (from the website)

Bob

Special Book Offer

I've been away, but now I'm back.

And just to see whether anyone is out there checking on the CMS Update, I'm offering a special deal on the book Music Universe, Music Mind: Revisiting the Creative Music Studio, Woodstock, New York.

For the next thirty days, readers of CMS Update can buy Music Universe, Music Mind for the unheard of low price of $7.00, including shipping.

Send a check for $7.00 (sorry, I'm not set up to receive credit-card purchases), payable to Arborville Publishing, to Arborville Publishing, Blog Offer, PO Box 2767, Ann Arbor MI 48106.

If you have any questions about the book or CMS history, give me a holler at bsweet@arborville.com.

Peace

Bob

Henry Grimes and Marshall Allen: Spaceship on the Highway

I'm taking liberties in announcing the road tour of the northeastern United States that Henry Grimes and Marshall Allen are about to embark upon, Friday, March 4th through Saturday, March 19th, 2005 . That's because there is only a tenuous CMS link here. But, it's my blog and I can employ as tenuous a link as I choose.

However, there is a link--kind of a full-circle CMS link. CMS founder Karl Berger spent some of his early days in New York, pre-CMS, playing with Henry Grimes. And, now, in 2005 the CMS link comes back around with Henry Grimes' teaming with Marilyn Crispell. And Marilyn's link to CMS is as strong as they come.

Anyway, the itinerary follows. It came to me by way of Margaret Davis, intrepid and stalwart chronicler and supporter of creative music and musicians.

Contact: Margaret Davis, (212) 841-O899, musicmargaret@earthlink.net
http//www.jazznewyork.org

Friday, March 4th: Henry Grimes & Marshall Allen, An Die Musik, 4O9 North Charles St., 2nd floor, Baltimore, Maryland, sets at 8 and 1O p.m., 888-221-617O, www.andiemusiklive.com, furmuda1@yahoo.com.

Sunday, March 6th: Henry Grimes & Marshall Allen, Brew House, 21OO Mary St. at 21st St., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-381-7767, one set at 9 p.m.

Tuesday, March 8th:Henry Grimes & Marshall Allen, radio broadcast with Lazaro Vega over WBLV-FM, 9O.3 / WBLU-FM, 89.9, Blue Lake Public Radio, Twin Lake, Michigan, 1O-11 p.m. 231-894-5656, ext. 1O4, www.bluelake.org, radio@bluelake.org.

Wednesday, March 9th: Henry Grimes & Marshall Allen, Young Soul Rebel Records / CPOP Gallery, 416O Woodward Ave.,Detroit, Michigan, 313-833-99O1, 313-832-2OO1, www.CPOP.com, PFrisco@hotmail.com.

Friday & Saturday, March 11th and 12th: the Henry Grimes Quartet featuring Marshall Allen, Fred Anderson, & Avreeayl Ra, HotHouse, 31 East Balbo Ave.,Chicago, IL, one set at 9:3O p.m. each night, 312-362-97O7, www.hothouse.net, www.hothouse.net/calendar/genre/jazz.jsp#667.

Tuesday, March 15th: Henry Grimes & Marshall Allen, Passport Project's Global Community Arts Center, 128O1-3 Buckeye Rd., Cleveland, Ohio, workshop at 4:00 p.m., concert at 8:3O, 216-721-1O55, http://passportproject.org/goingsOn.php, chloe@passportproject.org.

Thursday, March 17th: Henry Grimes & Marshall Allen, Rosewood Theater, 218 Walnut St., Morgantown, WV, 3O4-292-8999, www.rosewoodtheatre.com, Gary@rosewoodtheatre.com.

Friday, March 18th: Henry Grimes & Marshall Allen, Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 8 p.m., 215-222-9O5O, http://slought.org/content/11282, info@slought.org, markc@slought.org.

Saturday, March 19th: Henry Grimes & Marshall Allen, Vision Series, Clemente Sotol Velez Center, 1O7 Suffolk St. betw. Rivington and Delancey (2 blocks east of Tonic), New York City, one set at 1O p.m. , 212-26O-4O8O, http://csvcenter.com/2005, www.visionfestival.org, info@visionfestival.org.