Chicagojazzfestival
of what’s going on, including musicians and audience in a way where all are respected as one. … Ken and I wish to see more commitment, risk and sacrifice for the sake of the music and the scenes. We’ve both learned that none of us can expect the same from others that we expect from ourselves. Music isn’t something you just walk up on stage and do, it’s a lifestyle.
“Through Ken I’ve learned tons about American rock music, blues, soul and funk. I think Ken might say I’m pushing all the Latin music, music from Mali, Colombia, even Norwegian folk music. There’s a mutual interest in ethnic music and what’s on the contemporary scene. He’s also an inspiration when it comes to visual art. When on tour, when you’re most tired, worn down, hardly standing up, he’ll push us to go to the local art gallery, which revitalizes the energy you thought was gone — let the art move you, talk to you, give you more, so you can go more.” mando De La Clave
Somehow Bronx-born trumpeter/conguero Gonzalez channels both Miles Davis and Chet Baker in both attitude and performance. He is partial to the soft sound of the flugelhorn with which he plays ballads as if he doesn’t particularly care who is listening. Brother Andy, a renowned bassist, is not in this Madrid-based group, but Cuban musicians Alain Perez and sparkling pianist Javier Masso more than make up for any shortfall.
SEPT. 2
and a slower build strategy in his blowing. Buenos Aires-based electropop/new music pioneer Christof Kurzmann and longtime Vandermark Five lynchpin, percussionist Tim Daisy, combine with succinct electric bassist Devin Hoff in this fledgling quartet.
3:30 p.m. | Matt Wilson’s Arts and Crafts