Harrison, Schuller and band will perform rarely heard gems from Guiffre's canon both as a sextet and in smaller units. Guiffre, who died this year, was an inspiration as a player and composer. He charted new directions in "chamber-jazz", in groups with Jim Hall and Bob Brookmeyer, and Paul Bley and Steve Swallow.

Joel Harrison: guitar
George Schuller: drums
Marty Ehrlich: woodwinds
Ohad Talmour: woddwinds
Jacob Garchik: trombone/accordion
Cameron Brown: bass

SideNote: Harrison had a trio of gtr., vln., cello in the San Francisco Bay Area circa 1997 for which he transcribed Guiffre's music.

Thursday, January 29, 2009, 8 pm
Joel Harrison Ensembles

• Vox Americana
• Sonata for Solo Cello
• The Music of Paul Motian
• Vox Americana Epilogue

featuring:
Oliver Lake, David Binney, Wendy Sutter
Merkin Hall

Wednesday March 11, 2009, 10 pm, $10
Joel Harrison's Urban Myths
Compositions from the upcoming new CD
55 Bar
55 Christopher St., W. Village, New York City
with
Christian Howes: violin
Glen Patscha: keys
Stephan Crump: bass
Jordan Perlson: drums

Spain Tour
with Chris Howes and
Joel Harrison Quartet
also Jordan Perlson and Evan Gregor
March 29: Escorial
April 1: Universidad de Navarra: Pamplona 20:00
April 2: Bilbaina Jazz Club: Bilbao 22:00
April 3: CMD San Francisco: Bilbaoa 20:00
April 4: Madrid TBA

Thursday, May 7, 2009
10:00 pm, $10
CD Release Show for Urban Myths (Highnote) featuring Dave Binney,
Chris Howes, Stephan Crump, Jordan Perlson, Glenn Patscha
55 Bar, 55 Christopher St., (between 6th and 7th Ave), New York, NY, 10001, US

Music on MacDougal on October 28th
My first-ever evening of all-notated compositions.
1. The premiere of "Why Has the Hunter Not Returned?" a Marimba Duo influenced by W. African music that will feature Gregory Secor and Judy Mooney from the acclaimed Michigan percussion duo Opus 21. (www.opus21.org/) It recently won a competition sponsored by West Coast percussion duo Ironworks. (www.ironworks.com)
2. Marin Movement for solo percussion – vibes, bass drum, loops, and whistle.  It was inspired by the art of American landscape painter John Marin and was originally commissioned by Opus 21.
3. The centerpiece of the evening is "It Seems Like Yesterday", a Five Movement Suite for piano, cello, clarinet, percussion, a reflection on episodes from the life of my father- jazz-influenced fireworks, soaring melodies, gorgeous harmony, bizarre rhythmic twists, somber meditation…and an almost novelistic through line that carries the listener on a wild journey.

Performers include a “who’s who” of the new music scene:
Steve Gosling: piano
Wendy Sutter: cello
Todd Palmer: clarinet
Matt Ward: percussion

The creation of "It Seems Like Yesterday" was made possible by generous funding from New York State Council on the Arts. The American Composers Forum underwrote it with funds provided by the Jerome Foundation

October 28, 2009 at 8:00
Music on MacDougal
The Player’s Theatre
115 MacDougal Street
Tickets $20 – Call 212 352 3101

Also:
String Choir:
Paul Motian's  Music arranged for String quartet and 2 guitars with Sam Bardfeld, Matt Maneri, Liberty Ellman and others
Oct. 31, 10 pm
Jalopy Theatre - Red Hook NY
315 Columbia St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 395-3214

FALL TOUR in Europe
Featuring: Rick Margitza, Christian Howes,
Evan Gregor, Jordan Perlson

Fri., Sat. November 6 and 7: Jamboree- Barcelona, Spain
(Rick Margitza Saturday night only)
Nov. 8,9: Café Populart: Madrid, Spain
Nov. 11: Hot Club of Lyon: Lyon, France
Nov. 12: Criduport: Marseille
Nov. 13: Ajmi: Avignon (clinic for Joel in afternoon)
Nov. 14: St. Claude
Nov. 15: Leeds Jazz: Leeds, UK
Nov. 16: Dempsey’s: Cardiff, Wales
Nov. 18: Swansea Jazz: Swansea, Wales
Nov. 19: The Vortex: London Jazz Fest
Nov. 20,21: Alexanderplatz: Rome