#jim black

[zegalba]

Yoshitomo Nara: Jim Black/AlasNoAxis, Splay, Winter & Winter, Germany (2002)

[naked-atelier]

Luc Lafnet or Jim Black (?)

[dustedmagazine]

Listed: Vasco Trilla

photo by Konrad Zelazo

If drummers are understood to be timekeepers, then it’s fair to ask what sort of math they’re doing. Jaki Liebezeit could be relied upon to find the square root of any musical problem; when in equal company, Elvin Jones had an exponential effect on the music’s rhythmic and emotional power. Vasco Trilla is equally adept at division and multiplication. The Barcelona-based percussionist, who performs in improvised, jazz, and rock situations all around Europe, often plays solo concerts and duo encounters that benefit from his ability to generate a multitude of contrasting, yet complimentary sounds. But he can also confine himself to the one decisive gesture that will pull a moment together. In a review of Trilla’s duo release with fellow percussionist Tim Daisey, Bristling Duets, Bill Meyer wrote that Trilla “introduces contrasting tones and complementary rhythms that turn brisk solos into elegant musical expressions of special experiences.”

Ellery Eskelin with Andrea Parkins & Jim Black — One Great Day (hatOLOGY)

I remember attending a concert of the trio at Lisbon’s Jazz em Agosto festival. It was at the city’s Hot Jazz Club, a cozy and small venue. I didn’t know much about them, and I was completely blown away, especially with Jim Black's drumming. I bought the album that night and listened to it compulsively for a long time.

Cynic — Focus (Roadrunner Records)

The band that changed the extreme metal scene, adding the sensibility and chops of a more jazz fusion-oriented band. Being a complete metalhead at the time, it was a revelation to hear that way of playing, and of course Sean Reinert’s drumming was out of this world. The band went on a long hiatus as the music was not really understood at the time.

Eric Dolphy — Out to Lunch! (Blue Note Records)

One of my all-time favorite albums. I still feel fascinated every time I play the album. Every track is packed with ideas, interesting twists, surprising melodies and every player is stellar. I can’t believe what Tony Williams played at that age… Crazy!

Eddie Prévost — Loci of Change (Sound and Sensibility) (Matchless)

Eddie Prévost’s solo albums are the real thing for me. It took me a bit to understand them, but I felt immediately hooked with his approach; textural, harsh and equally beautiful. Definitely a big influence on me. I strongly recommend his book No Sound Is Innocent, where he talks about improvised music. For me a must-read book.

King Crimson — THRAK (Virgin)

The album that made me discover the King Crimson legacy and amazing catalogue. I was, and still am, very fascinated by the progressive rock scene of the seventies. Bill Bruford is one of my all-time heroes!

Naked City — Radio (Tzadik)

A big turning point. It was my kind of entrance to the jazz world. Not the most conventional way to do it, but very rewarding! Since then, Zorn has been a big influence, Painkiller, Masada, etc. Always creative and on the edge of styles.

Gorguts — Obscura (Olympic Recordings)

A mastodonic, dissonant and weird death metal masterpiece. One of my all-time favorite metal albums. I love all their albums. The latest, Colored Sands and Pleiades Dust are truly breathtaking.

Edgard Varèse — The Complete Works (Decca)

Varèse’s music is very important to me. He highlighted percussion in ways never explored before. I Can’t count how many times I listened to “Ionisation!”

Frank Zappa — Roxy and Elsewhere (Discreet)

I could choose a different Zappa album every day. A fascinating album with a bit of every Zappa-esques that I love. I used to play in a Zappa cover band and “Echidna’s Arf /Don’t you ever wash that thing” was a real challenge to learn and play.

Krzysztof Penderecki — “Symphony No. 1”

I’ve been obsessed with this symphony. I find it really fascinating and menacing at the same time. The way he uses percussion in the opening had a big impact on my approach to solo percussion playing. Although I could cite any of Penderecki's early avant-garde sonoristic works, somehow this work got me hooked the most.

[longliverockback]

Frank Zappa Frank Zappa for President 2016 Zappa ——————————————————————— Tracks: 1. Overture to “Uncle Sam” 2. Brown Shoes Don’t Make It  3. Amnerika 4. “If I Was President…” 5. When the Lie’s So Big 6. Medieval Ensemble 7. America the Beautiful ———————————————————————

Jim Black

Ray Collins

Roy Estrada

Bruce Fowler

Walt Fowler

Bunk Gardner

Mike Keneally

Ed Mann

Bobby Martin

Kurt McGettrick

Billy Mundi

Don Preston

Scott Thunes

Chad Wakerman

Ike Willis

Albert Wing

Frank Zappa

* Long Live Rock Archive

[avantpanda]

The Gordon Grdina Nomad Trio in action at Gig Space, Ottawa, January 11th 2020.

Last song of the concert, this was dedicated to Neil Peart, R.I.P.

Clip 3 of 3.

[jgthirlwell]

05.06.17 John Zorn led a stellar ensemble in a stunning performance of his legendary game piece Cobra at Roulette with  Eyal Maoz, Taylor Levine and Matt Hollenberg on guitar, Ikue Mori on laptop, Sylvie Courvoisier on piano, Michael Nicolas on cello, Brian Marsella on organ, Trevor Dunn on contrabass, Simon Hanes on electric bass, Ches Smith on vibraphone and timpani, and Tim Keiper, Kenny Grohowski and Jim Black on drums. The show began with a short version of another of Zorn’s game piece, Hockey, with Zorn himself on game calls Michael Nicolas on cello and Aaron Edgcomb on percussion.

[avantpanda]

The Gordon Grdina Nomad Trio in action at Gig Space, Ottawa, January 11th 2020.

Gord is on oud in this one, this was in the second set.

Clip 2 of 3.

[avantpanda]

The Gordon Grdina Nomad Trio in action at Gig Space, Ottawa, January 11th 2020.

Sorry these are so harshly lit.

Clip 1 of 3.