Album Notes

Liner Notes:

The Out To Lunch Quintet (OTLQ) was formed to perform the music of the late, great Eric Dolphy. Although originally organized for a single concert event in early 2006, the significance of keeping this music alive, coupled with popular demand to hear Dolphy’s tunes, has kept OTLQ going. This is their first recording as a quintet.

In his tragically short life, Eric Dolphy became a master musician who excelled as a performer, arranger, and composer. Mingus considered Dolphy his most talented interpreter; Coltrane described him as the only horn player he could conceivably play with as an equal. In 1964, Dolphy recorded Out To Lunch, an album deeply rooted in the avant-garde. The time signatures were unusual, and Dolphy’s solos were as dissonant and unpredictable as anything ever recorded. Out To Lunch influenced a generation of jazz players and became a cornerstone in the modern jazz movement. It remains fresh and daring and is regarded not only as Dolphy’s finest recording, but as one of the greatest jazz recordings. Dolphy died in Berlin from diabetes on June 29, 1964, weeks before Blue Note released Out To Lunch. He was 36 years old.

Dolphy’s tunes are rarely covered today. They are not often performed because they are difficult; the forms are unique. This is not the kind of material players can pick up while casually flipping through the “Real Book.”

Sometimes you don’t know what you’re missing until you get a taste. In early 2005, I got a taste of Dolphy’s music played live. I went into the Artists’ Quarter in St. Paul, Minnesota, to listen to Eric Kamau Gravatt’s band Source Code. That night, vibraphonist Dave Hagedorn brought in a chart he had transcribed for Dolphy’s “Hat and Beard.” The chart was new to the band, and the material challenging, but the sound knocked me out. I spoke with Hagedorn during a break and asked if he would be interested in putting together a group performance of all the tunes from Out To Lunch. He was excited about the prospect. Subsequently, the Twin Cities Jazz Society board agreed to sponsor the event as part of its annual concert series. Dave assembled an ensemble of the area’s best musicians including himself on vibes, Kelly Rossum on trumpet, Phil Hey on drums, Tom Lewis on bass, and multi-instrumentalist Dave Milne on alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute.

On February 17th, 2006, despite a driving snowstorm and bitter cold, the Twin Cities Jazz Society’s “Jazz from J to Z” Concert Series installment “Still Out To Lunch: The Music of Eric Dolphy Live” was an unqualified success. Before an enthusiastic crowd at St. Olaf College in Northfield, the quintet performed all the music from Out To Lunch. The performance was superb and full of passion.

The band was eager to keep the project going. JazzPolice.com and Kenny Horst at the Artists’ Quarter in St. Paul agreed and decided to record it live. On June 2nd and 3rd, OTLQ performed Out To Lunch again at the Artists’ Quarter, expanded it with other Dolphy works, and added an original tune by band member Rossum, “Rush Hour.” Jazz is a living thing; as musicians respond to each other, they also feed off the energy of the crowd reacting to the music. On those two nights in June, the Artists’ Quarter was electric with excitement and the band was stellar. This recording captures that excitement and preserves the beauty of the music.

Working with these musicians has been a profound pleasure for me. These are men who care about music and have the talent, discipline, and drive to make it happen. I am proud to be associated with them and this recording—one that truly captures the live-jazz experience and documents a seasoned ensemble performing significant music. Sit back and listen. Revel in the experience. This is music, this is live, this is jazz!


—Don Berryman, Publisher, Jazz Police
www.jazzpolice.com



The Out To Lunch Quintet: Musician Bio’s

Multi-instrumentalist David Milne is an accomplished and versatile performer, composer, and arranger in musical settings ranging from creative jazz, modern big band, and progressive popular styles to symphonic/orchestral, chamber music, and contemporary classical styles. Originally from Rochester NY, he earned a DMA in Saxophone Performance at the Eastman School of Music, an MM in Woodwind Performance and a BA in Music from the Indiana University School of Music. As Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, he teaches applied saxophone, directs the UW-River Falls Jazz Ensembles, and teaches jazz-related courses. David Milne is a Selmer Saxophone Artist-Clinician.

Kelly Rossum: is gaining an international reputation as a creative force in the definition of modern jazz. It is difficult to describe his style as anything but unique; combining the traditions of swing, bop, and free jazz with the innovations of electronica, ambient, and trance music. He has appeared on over 20 CD recordings as well as studio sessions for Asche & Spencer. His most recent release as a leader is titled Line, and Electropolis has recently released an eponymous CD. Visit www.krossum.com

David Hagedorn is an Artist in Residence in the Music Department at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he teaches percussion, jazz studies and world music. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Percussion Performance from the Eastman School of Music, as well as various music-related degrees from the New England Conservatory and the University of Minnesota. His 2003 CD SOLIDLIQUID was released on Artegra Records. He studied with, and has toured nationally with, George Russell and appeared on Russell's recordings So What and The African Game.

Twin Cities bassist Tom Lewis, noted for his lyrical solos and musical versatility, can be heard all over town playing bebop, hard bop, free jazz and swinging standards. A long time member of Eddie Berger's "Jazz All Stars," Tom is currently a member of the Phil Aaron Trio, The Five and other projects. A composer and bandleader in his own right, Tom is regularly called upon to play with visiting jazz luminaries like Benny Golson, Mose Allison, Jim Rotundi, Slide Hampton, Lew Tabackin, Charles McPherson and others. Lewis also keeps busy as a sideman to Twin Cities musicians, as a clinician and as a recording session player.

Phil Hey has played with Charlie Rouse, Kenny Barron, Benny Golson, Benny Carter, Jay McShann, and many other Jazz Greats. He played and toured with Dewey Redaman for over twenty years. Hey studied extensively with Ed Blackwell and Marv Dahlgren. He is now on the faculties of The University of Minnesota and Macalaster College. Hey released his first recording as a leader in 2005 ("Subduction", Artist's Quarter records) after appearing on more than 60 as a sideman. He was named "Jazz Musician of the Year, 2006" by the Twin Cities "City Pages".

JazzPolice.com is a jazz and travel information website. JazzPolice.com has a mission of promoting the best of live jazz in local communities nationwide, particularly for travelers. This service is of benefit to traveling jazz fans that are looking to enjoy great live jazz when on the road. It also helps local jazz clubs and restaurants by sending more out-of-town dollars to their businesses. By helping people find live music we hope to help increase demand for live jazz so, as Dewey Redman recently said, “musicians can keep appearing and stop disappearing”. www.jazzpolice.com

The Artists' Quarter is a musician owned and operated jazz club that has been a Twin Cities institution since it first opened in Minneapolis in the '70's. It has great sight lines, a great sound system, and a loyal following. The Artists’ Quarter is located at 408 St Peter Street St. Paul, MN 55102, Phone number (651) 292-1359. www.artistsquarter.com