Michael Formanek 4tet concert

Details:

Details: Michael Formanek, bass / Tim Berne, alto sax / Craig Taborn, piano / Gerald Cleaver, drums.
Michael Formanek is one of the greatest bassists of our time. Looking back on an over 30 years career, he played with Elvis Costello, Freddie Hubbard, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Mingus Big Band, Cedar Walton, Attila Zoller, Dave Burrell, Joe Lovano and many many others.
For his latest album as a leader on the ECM label and the enigmatic title "The Rub and Spare Change", Michael Formanek has designed a demanding and inventive frame. A singular lack of true colors leads to almost black and white music, glittering however in all shades of gray. The violent interventions of the saxophone, feverishly abstract drums and the ostinato pursued by cascades of notes and chords giving an orchestral dimension to the piano, is a the dense, oppressive, yet readable, beaming texture is what Michael Formanek creates on his album.
In his leader quality, Michael Formanek could evoke Charles Mingus in a way of playing the bass and by his talent as a unifying person embarking his musical friends on a ghost ship and letting them evolve in a harmonic and melodic exchange on stage. The bassist diversifies the modes by registering in typical scenarios of jazz but by challenging expectations and tilting in the harsh and dramatic.
Inspired and focused, saxophonist Tim Berne naturally accompanies Michael Formanek: they play together for almost twenty years. The pianist Craig Taborn and drummer Gerald Cleaver frequently meet, because both are very active on the ‘creative’ music scene. The cohesion of this quartet is exemplary and it is reflected in the flowing music.