Hold the Elevator: Live collections in Europe & Other Haunts * by Orange Then Blue NEUF

Tracks:
Alino Oro
Smada
Rufus 7
Peregrinatons
RE.Scatter
Nem Um Talvez
Bloodcount
Stentor
Sich Reped

Performer Notes:

• Orange Then Blue: Peck Allmond (soprano saxophone, trumpet, Eb alto horn); Matt Darriau (soprano & alto saxophones, clarinet, flute); Andy Laster (alto & baritone saxophones, flute); Andrew DAngelo (alto saxophone, bass clarinet); Chris Speed (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Cuong Vu, Dave Ballou (trumpet); Tom Varner (French horn); Jim Leff (trombone); Jose Davila (tuba); Jamie Saft (piano, accordion); Tim Ray (piano); Reid Anderson (bass); George Schuller (drums, percussion, bells).
• Additional personnel: Rufus Cappadocia (cello); Marcus Rojas (tuba); Ben Street (bass); Seido Salisfoski (dumbek, percussion).
• Producers: George Schuller, Co De Kloet, Wolfgang Hoff.
• Engineers include: Alan Stefinov, Peter Vincent, Axel Muller.
• Includes liner notes by Paul Blair.
• Personnel: Rufus Cappadocia (cello); Matt Darriau (flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Andy Laster (flute, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Jamie Saft (accordion, piano); Chris Speed (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Andrew DAngelo (bass clarinet, alto saxophone); Peck Allmond (soprano saxophone, trumpet, alto horn); Cuong Vu, Dave Ballou (trumpet); Tom Varner (French horn); Jim Leff (trombone); Jose Davila , Marcus Rojas (tuba); Tim Ray (piano); George Schuller (drums, percussion, bells); Seido Salifoski (dumbek, percussion).
• Liner Note Author: Paul Blair.
• Recording information: 11th Music Meeting, Nijmegan (04/01/1994-11/08/1995); 11th Music Meeting, Nijmegen, Netherland (04/01/1994-11/08/1995); Fez Under Time Cafe, New York, NY (04/01/1994-11/08/1995); Fez Under Time Cafe, NY (04/01/1994-11/08/1995); Jazzfest Berlin 95, Germany (04/01/1994-11/08/1995); JazzFest Berlin, Germany (04/01/1994-11/08/1995); Knitting Factory, NY (04/01/1994-11/08/1995).
• Editor: Dave Locke.
• OTB have made great strides in the past 15 years to lead the way in innovation amongst large modern ensembles. On these concert sessions from N.Y.C., Berlin, and Nijmegen, the Netherlands, the George Schuller-led group shows a love for Balkan-cum-Weill/Carla Bley circus jazz, free improvisation in and out of frameworks, a grand collective spirit, a propensity for seven-beat measures, dark swinging, maniacal solos, and an intense desire to be different. The five saxophonists -- Chris Speed, Andrew DAngelo, Andy Laster, Peck Allmond, and Matt Darriau -- are continually astonishing. Keyboardists Jamie Saft and Tim Ray are up to the challenge when called upon. Tom Varner, French horn throughout, the amazing cellist Rufus Cappadocia (one cut), and drummer Schuller keep things in line, whether percolatin or spooky. The cellists feature "Rufus 7" (theres that seven) is the last of three cuts that front-end the CD. The kicker, "Alino Oro," is the quirky upbeat Balkan piece, while number two, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorns "Smada" (arranged by trumpeter Dave Ballou) is laden in a flip-flop, free-to-tango swing, dramatic and replete with clarion calls -- a simply brilliant reworking. The latter half of the nine-cut program offers a lengthy interpretation of Tim Bernes pungent stomper "Bloodcount" and an evil, wailin take (recorded in the Netherlands) of Andrew DAngelos seven-beat ostinato juggernaut "Sich Reped." Steadfast in their stance, reliable improvisers such as the OTB collective should never be taken lightly. This around-the-world audio triptych of a well-oiled creative working ensemble is over 70 minutes of sheer delight. ~ Michael G. Nastos

Professional Reviews: JazzTimes (1-2/00, p.132) - "...successfully incorporates worldly influences...without sacrificing jazzs sense of swing and improvisation....an apt document of [their] aining some of the most intriguing soloists of this generation..."

Format: CD (1 Disc); Stereo

Country: USA

Studio/Live: Live

Guest Artist: Chris Speed; Tom Varner; Matt Darriau; Andy Laster

Release Date: 9 March, 1999

Label: GM Recordings