The Squid's Ear Magazine


Platform 1: Takes Off (Clean Feed)

A first and exceptional release from the Platform 1 quintet of Chicago reedist Ken Vandermark, NY trombonist Steve Swell, European trumpeter Magnus Broo, Canadian ex-pat bassist Joe Williamson, and Amsterdamn based drummer Michael Vatcher.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Magnus Broo-trumpet

Steve Swell-trombone

Ken Vandermark-tenor saxophone, Bb clarinet

Michael Vatcher-drums

Joe Williamson-bass


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UPC: 5609063002553

Label: Clean Feed
Catalog ID: CF255
Squidco Product Code: 16357

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2012
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Cardstock gatefold foldover
Recorded in Coimbra, Portugal at the Salao Brazil on May 27th and 28th, 2011 by Joao Serigado Miranda.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Ken Vandermark can be a musician of many projects, but even the name "Platform 1" indicates that this is not simply one more band in his career. The title of the group's first album prepares you for what's coming with a bang- the sonic assault of this quintet is like the lift off of a rocket. Their music is the burning free bop you would expect from the people gathered here: Swedish Magnus Broo, a direct heir to trumpeters like Clifford Brown and Lee Morgan; American trombonist Steve Swell, a disciple of Roswell Rudd and the great cutting edge tradition he represents; Canadian, though now living in Stockholm, Joe Williamson, one of the most important double bassists working today in Europe; American, but for many years established in Amsterdam, Michael Vatcher, a drummer with extraordinary skills and exceptional groove. An American saxophonist and clarinetist influenced by the creative histories of both the States and Europe, Vandermark couldn't find better partners for the cosmic journey they've now started. Here they go, swinging throughout the planets and the stars..."-Clean Feed


Artist Biographies

"Magnus Broo (born 27 June 1965 in Husqvarna, Västervik, Småland, Sweden) is a Swedish jazz musician (trumpet) known from own recordings and collaboration with Norwegian jazz musicians like in the band Atomic.

Broo is the son of trumpeter, raised in Västervik, and participated in Visby big band before he attended musical training at North Texas State University (1984-1990). Back in Sweden, he was incorporated into Fredrik Norén Band (1991-1999), and also collaborated in the orchestra of Lennart Åberg.

Broo's expression is a continuation of free jazz and Ornette Coleman's style from the 1960'th, and he is central in the Norwegian/Swedish band Atomic (1999-). He also leads his own 'Magnus Broo Quartet with Torbjörn Gulz on piano, Mattias Welin on bass and Jonas Holgersson on drums. They released the albums Sudden Joy (1999), Levitaton (2001), Sugar Promise(2003) and Pain Body (2008). Moreover, he also collaborates in Fredrik Nordström Quintet."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_Broo)
3/25/2024

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

"Born in Newark, NJ, Steve Swell has been an active member of the NYC music community since 1975. He has toured and recorded with many artists from mainstreamers such as Lionel Hampton and Buddy Rich to so called outsiders as Anthony Braxton, Bill Dixon, Cecil Taylor and William Parker. He has over 40 CDs as a leader or co-leader and is a featured artists on more than 100 other releases. He runs workshops around the world and is a teaching artist in the NYC public school system focusing on special needs children.

Swell has worked on music transcriptions of the Bosavi tribe of New Guinea for MacArthur fellow, Steve Feld in 2000. His CD, "Suite For Players, Listeners and Other Dreamers" (CIMP) ranked number 2 in the 2004 Cadence Readers Poll. He has also received grants from USArtists International in 2006, MCAF (LMCC) awards in 2008 and 2013 and has been commissioned twice on the Interpretations Series at Merkin Hall in 2006 and at Roulette in 2012.

Steve was nominated for Trombonist of the Year 2008 & 2011 by the Jazz Journalists Association, was selected Trombonist of the Year 2008-2010 , 2012 and 2014-2015 by the magazine El Intruso of Argentina and received the 2008 Jubilation Foundation Fellowship Award of the Tides Foundation. Steve has also been selected by the Downbeat Critics Poll in the Trombone category each year from 2010-2016.

Steve is presently a teaching artist through the American Composers Orchestra, Healing Arts Initiative , Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center (Bronx), the Jazz Foundation of America and Leman Manhattan Preparatory School.

Steve was also awarded the 2014 Creative Curricula grant (LMCC) for the project: "Metamorphoses: Modern Mythology in Sound and Words" which was taught in a month long residency at Baruch College Campus High School in Manhattan."

-Steve Swell Website (http://www.steveswell.com/SteveSwellBio.htm)
3/25/2024

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

"Born in Warwick, Rhode Island on September 22nd, 1964, Ken Vandermark began studying the tenor saxophone at the age of 16. Since graduating with a degree in Film and Communications from McGill University during the spring of 1986, his primary creative emphasis has been the exploration of contemporary music that deals directly with advanced methods of improvisation. In 1989, he moved to Chicago from Boston, and has worked continuously from the early 1990's onward, both as a performer and organizer in North America and Europe, recording in a large array of contexts, with many internationally renowned musicians (such as Fred Anderson, Ab Baars, Peter Brötzmann, Tim Daisy, Hamid Drake, Terrie Ex, Mats Gustafsson, Devin Hoff, Christof Kurzmann, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Joe McPhee, Paal Nilssen-Love, Paul Lytton, Andy Moor, Joe Morris, and Nate Wooley). His current activity includes work with Made To Break, The Resonance Ensemble, Side A, Lean Left, Fire Room, the DKV Trio, and duos with Paal Nilssen-Love and Tim Daisy; in addition, he is the music director of the experimental Pop band, The Margots. More than half of each year is spent touring in Europe, North America, and Japan, and his concerts and numerous recordings have been critically acclaimed both at home and abroad. In addition to the tenor sax, he also plays the bass and Bb clarinet, and baritone saxophone. In 1999 he was awarded the MacArthur prize for music."

-Ken Vandermark Website (http://kenvandermark.com/2013/10/made-to-break-biography/)
3/25/2024

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

"California native Michael Vatcher, now residing in Amsterdam, quickly progressed from hitting household furniture to taking vibraphone and snare drum lessons as a child. In California, he played with reedist Michael Moore, with whom Vatcher has had a long musical relationship, John Handy, and Terry Gibbs. After spending a year in New York City, Vatcher moved to Holland in 1981.

Since arriving in Holland, Vatcher has played with such groups as the Tristan Honsinger Sextet, the Martin Altena Ensemble, John Zorn, The Ex, Roof (with Phil Minton, Tom Cora, and Luc Ex), and Van Dyke Parks. Vatcher is also a regular accompanist with the School for New Dance Development in Amsterdam, and has an ongoing musical relationship with dancers Katie Duck and Eileen Standley."

-All About Jazz (https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/michaelvatcher)
3/25/2024

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

Born 1970 in Canada, Joe Williamson has toured the world as a bass player in various setting and He moved to Europe in 1992 and has lived in Amsterdam, Berlin and London, and Stockholm. Projects include The Inconvenience, Trapist, Alex Ward and The Dead Ends, Tobias Delius 4tet, Weird Weapons, the Duck Baker Trio, King of Herrings, The Green Valley Players, Booklet, The 7 Seas Orchestra,The Wardrobe Trio... Past and present collaborators include Duck Baker, Steve Beresford, &c.

-Squidco 3/25/2024

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


Track Listing:



1. Tempest/2A>2B 7:13

2. Portal #33 6:53

3. Stations 10:33

4. Dim Eyes 8:57

5. Compromising Emanations 8:56

6. Deep Beige/For Derek's Kids 13:39

7. In Between Chairs 9:04

Related Categories of Interest:

Clean Feed

Improvised Music
Jazz
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Chicago Jazz & Improvisation
Ken Vandermark
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
Quintet Recordings

Search for other titles on the label:
Clean Feed.


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The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

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