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Abrams, Joshua Quartet: Unknown Known (RogueArt)

The Chicago quartet of Joshua Abrams (double bass), David Boykin (tenor saxophone), Jason Adasiewicz (vibraphone), and Frank Rosaly (drums) performing an excellent set of modern jazz influenced by dream states.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Joshua Abrams-doublebass

David Boykin-tenor saxophone

Jason Adasiewicz-vibraphone

Frank Rosaly-drums


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




UPC: 3760131270457

Label: RogueArt
Catalog ID: ROG-0045
Squidco Product Code: 17354

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2013
Country: France
Packaging: Digipack
Recorded by Neil Strauch on December 12th, 2010 at Engine Studios, Chicago, IL.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Notice then how, in Unknown Known, "things" seem to settle in, so much so and so well they immediately freeze, before uncoiling, disintegrating, tearing apart, and come back as shadows. Notice how, on Boom goes the Moon, the theme is enmeshed then hypnotic, and the second part, like a harmonious cloud floats before imperturbably exploding. Notice how on Settle Down, a rooted melodico-rhythmical motif is unearthed in all possible ways: one after the other, the musicians take off embarking with them the whole thing, which eventually reassembles. Notice how on Look Through It, everything is centered around polarization: the dice are cast but nothing unfolds, everything changes, below, above, as if in a kaleidoscope where even after all the possible adjustments are made, the mobile fragments of colored glass don't produce any definite shape anymore. The approach, how we choose to listen, all are sowing needles. Notice then how, on Leavening, the music with its necklace of resonances sink into the ground, digs a groove, pries a breach open, splits a wound to show a myriad of fish. And within its net is a theme which arrives late, it sets off, it's a theme created to trigger shivers. Notice how, on Pool, the running waters are now within the sleeping waters. This music is at times called "creative" because it invents anew uncommon relationships between things and beings which have a reciprocal influence on each other. The music is right in front of you. Wander into the music."-Alexandre Pierrepont, excerpt from the liner notes


Artist Biographies

"Bassist, Composer Joshua Abrams has been in the thick of Chicago's vibrant music scene for fifteen years, playing & recording as leader & sideman in projects across the genres. he co-founded the "back porch minimalist" band town & country (thrill jockey/box media) & with Matana Roberts & Chad Taylor the trio sticks & stones (thrill jockety/482 music). He has released four records under his own name as well as two under the moniker "reminder" that navigate the realms of jazz & improvisation, electro-acoustic composition, beatmaking, minimalism and field recordings (eremite/delmark/eastern developments/lucky kitchen). He has appeared on over 50 recordings including records by Fred Anderson, Hamid Drake & Bindu, Bonny "prince" Billy, Nicole Mitchell Black Earth Ensemble and Black Earth Strings, Sam Prekop, Mike Reed's Loose Assembly, Ernest Dawkins Chicago 12, Savath & Savalis, Prefuse 73, Rhys Chatham, Rob Mazurek, Tortoise, the Roots, Edith Frost, Mia Doi Todd, Diverse, Joan of Arc, Lorren Mazzacane Connors, David Grubbs, David Boykin, Chris Conelly, & the Cairo Gang. He has performed with Roscoe Mitchell, Bill Dixon, Von Freeman, Fred Anderson trio, John Tchicai, the Exploding Star Orchestra, Henry Grimes, Axel Dorner, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Peter Evans, Damo Suzuki, Wilbert de Joode, Jandek, Walter Wierbos, Tony Conrad, Bobby Broom, Sean Bergin, Nate Wooley, Craig Taborn, David Stakenas, Fred Hopkins, Rhys Chatham, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Neil Michael Hagerty, Lin Halliday, Raymond Strid, Douglas Ewart, Toumani Diabate, the Chicago Underground Orchestra, Ron Dewar, Baby d, Kevin Drumm, Terry x, Frederick Lvunquist, Jim o'Rourke, Kurt Vonnegut, & Earle Brown. When in chicago he plays weekly with Jeff Parker and John Herndon."

-Nicole Mitchell Website (http://nicolemitchell.com/joshua-abrams)
9/10/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"David Boykin began studying music on the clarinet at the age of 21 in 1991 and first performed professionally in 1997. He has released 16 recordings as a leader; appeared as a featured guest on other prominent musician's recordings, such as Nicole Mitchell, Chad Taylor, Josh Abrams, and Mike Reed; performed at major international jazz festivals and smaller jazz venues locally and globally; and founded Sonic Healing Ministries, which is an organization dedicated to the spiritual evolution of humanity through music."

Awards and Grants: Individual Artist Program, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, City of Chicago, 2015; Midwest Nexus Touring Exchange, Links Hall, Chicago 2015; Artist in Residence University of Chicago Department of Arts and Public Life 2013/2014; Galaxy Award, Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, 2011; Illinois Arts Council Fellowship For Music Composition, 2005; CAAP Grant, Chicago Department Of Cultural Affairs, 2005; Arts International Fund For US Artists Performing Abroad, 2002;CAAP Grant, Chicago Department Of Cultural Affairs, 2000"

-David Boykin Website (http://davidboykin.com/bio.html)
9/10/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Jason Adasiewicz was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1977, but raised in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He studied jazz drums at DePaul University for three years. He only eased into the vibraphone after leaving school, playing it in the indie-rock scene around Chicago with bands like Pinetop Seven and the singer-songwriter Edith Frost.

In the early 2000s he began his collaboration with cornetist Josh Berman and drummer Mike Reed. Since then he was worked in the Chicago jazz and improvisation scene with multiple bands, including Rob Mazurek's Starlicker and Exploding Star Orchestra, Mike Reed's Loose Assembly, Josh Berman and His Gang, Nicole Mitchell's Ice Crystal, James Falzone's Klang and Ken Vandermark's Topology and Audio One.

Adasiewicz formed his Chicago-based jazz quintet, Rolldown, in 2004, while living in Madison. In 2008 he founded the trio Sun Rooms, with Nate McBride and Mike Reed."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Adasiewicz)
9/10/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Frank Rosaly (Francisco Javier Rosaly Amoros Rosello - b. 5/30/74 Phoenix, AZ) is a drummer and composer living in Chicago. He has been involved in the improvised and experimental music community since 2001 where he has become an integral part of Chicago's musical fabric, navigating a fine line between the vibrant improvised music, experimental, rock and jazz communities. He contributes much of his time to performing, composing, teaching, as well as organizing musical events, while also touring regularly domestically and internationally.

Frank is currently active in many projects throughout Chicago as well as New York and in Europe. Some groups include Bobby Bradford/Frode Gjerstad Quartet, Matana Robert's Chicago Project, Rob Mazurek's Mandarin Movie, The Rempis Percussion Quartet, Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten Quintet, Scorch Trio, Nicole Mitchell Ice Crystal Quartet, Jason Stein Quartet, Jeff Parker/Nels Cline Quartet, Josh Abrams' Natural Information Society, Fred Lonberg-Holm's Valentine Trio, Keefe Jackson's Project Project, The Fast Citizens, The Jeb Bishop Trio, Jason Adasievicz's Rolldown, Jorrit Dijkstra's Flatlands Collective, Chicago Lucern Exchange, Hearts and Minds, Slow Cycle, Outskirts, Darren Johnston's Chicago Quintet, Anchor and others."

-Frank Rosaly Website (http://fjrosalbio.blogspot.com/)
9/10/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Unknown Known 7:49

2. Boom Goes the Moon 11:14

3. Settle Down 8:19

4. Look Through It 6:25

5. Leavening 12:14

6. Pool 3:33

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Chicago Jazz & Improvisation
Quartet Recordings
Instant Rewards

Search for other titles on the label:
RogueArt.


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