The Squid's Ear Magazine


Ward, Greg Presents Rogue Parade: Stomping Off From Greenwood (Greenleaf Music)

Returning to his native Chicago after a stint in NYC, saxophonist Greg Ward (Tortoise) formed this new group with Matt Gold and Dave Miller (guitars & effects), Matt Ulery (bass), and Quin Kirchner (drums), recording this impressive album of modern jazz: lyrical, funky and perfectly paced, engaging but never indulgent, with unexpected compositional twists and turns.
 

Price: $14.45


Quantity:

Out of Stock

Quantity in Basket: None

Log In to use our Wish List
Shipping Weight: 2.00 units

Sample The Album:





product information:

Personnel:



Greg Ward-alto saxophone

Matt Gold-guitar, effects

Dave Miller-guitar, effects

Matt Ulery-acoustic, electric bass

Quin Kirchner-drums


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




UPC: 186980000695

Label: Greenleaf Music
Catalog ID: CD-GRE-1069
Squidco Product Code: 26811

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2018
Country: USA
Packaging: Digipack
Recorded at I.V. Lab in Chicago, Illinois, on August 5th and 6th, 2017 by Shane Hendrickson.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Chicago-based alto saxophonist and composer Greg Ward (Tortoise, Lupe Fiasco, Makaya McCraven) presents a new group, Rogue Parade, featuring a quintet of heavyweight creative Chicago musicians: Matt Gold and Dave Miller (guitar & effects), Matt Ulery (bass), and Quin Kirchner (drums).

Following his critically acclaimed Greenleaf debut Touch My Beloved's Thought in 2016, which was a re-imagining of the music of Charles Mingus, Stomping Off From Greenwood highlights Ward's skills as a writer and arranger with a set of eight new compositions (and a cover) that explore this unique two-guitar instrumentation, which blends the acoustic and electronic sonic worlds.

The group honed their ensemble sound during a month-long residency in Chicago, followed by extensive touring in the Midwest, before heading into the studio to capture the band's energy on record. In addition to the original material, the band presents Ward's moody arrangement of the jazz standard "Stardust". "-Greenleaf Music



"After a stint in New York, saxophonist Greg Ward was lured home to Chicago in 2016 by a project based on Charles Mingus's The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady (Impulse! Records, 1963). Ward's new vision of this record was widely acclaimed, not least for its performance with a ballet company, as Mingus had desired.

Around this time Ward began a jamming fellowship, aimed at "those who don't hate, but appreciate." Whether this hate/appreciate referred to race relations or music is unclear. But what seems obvious is Ward's increasing appeal for newcomers to modern jazz.

Rogue Parade's Stomping Off From Greenwood is a venture featuring guitarists Matt Gold and Dave Miller, along with Chicago stalwarts Matt Ulery (bass) and Quin Kirchner (drums). The album artwork evokes a world of graffiti and shabby chic apartments, with all the thrill of urban bohemia. (Greenwood is a street on the south side of Chicago, where Ward lived when he returned to town). And from the outset, on "Metropolis," Kirchner's drum juggling is like a soundtrack of citified footsteps. The guitars float by, one muted and one fluent, bringing a chilled harmony. Ward makes a languid entrance like someone who's blown in late off the sidewalk, smiling his apologies.

Never does the simplified feel more effective than in Ward's hands. Where others let their musical taps whistle and splutter, he knows when to let his faucet drip-drop with pure melody. The guitarist Ryley Walker refers to this process as letting the brain drain out. Even as life's rhythms scurry by, Ward's tuneful touch remains unhurried, like a free spirit among go-getters.

More seductive phrasing comes on "Excerpt 1," but now the percussion has turned ceremonial. "The Contender" is a union of frolicsome bass, nimble guitars and Ward's jittery solos, reaching a braying climax. Next comes "The Fourth Reverie" like a healing psalm from the streets. The company toots a single note on "Let Him Live," which unfurls into a spinning vamp; Kirchner burrows deep into his kit, then guitars and sax ping a sing-song phrase. Ulery scuttles across his bass during "Black Woods" until Ward finds a hooky chorus he's happy to repeat and we're pleased to receive.

A cover of Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" dresses Ward in top hat and tails, but Kirchner adds a more propulsive beat than, say, Gerry Mulligan's version. "Pitch Black Promenade" owns a sense of wandering darkly until there's an acceptance of shadows. Finally, guitars trill over a dusky drone and Kirchner's muffled drums on "Sundown" as Ward plays with great stealth, quietly investigating.

Ward was eighteen when he emailed Branford Marsalis for advice. Marsalis replied, "You don't find your voice. It finds you." Whatever mouthpiece has found a home in Greg Ward, it exists for those who don't hate, but appreciate. Stomping Off From Greenwood sings with a depth of harmony to crack the hardest heart."-Gareth Thompson, All About Jazz


Get additional information at All About Jazz

Artist Biographies

"Greg Ward is a saxophonist and composer that was born in Peoria, IL. Currently based in Chicago, Ward has had the opportunity to perform and record with a varied group of artists like Prefuse 73, Lupe Fiasco, Tortoise, William Parker, Andrew D'Angelo, and Mike Reed.

In 2000, Ward began his studies at Northern Illinois University where he worked with Steve Duke, Fareed Haque, Ron Carter, and Joey Sellers. Already interested in composition, having the opportunity to compose for NIU's jazz combos deepened his understanding of the inner-workings of music. Also, working with composer and arranger, Joey Sellers, equipped Ward with some important tools to further explore this new love.

Around his sophomore year in college, Ward started spending many nights performing in the jazz clubs of Chicago. Soon, he would meet another one of his mentors, saxophonist, Fred Anderson, who would later select him to host a jam session at the Velvet Lounge for four years. During this time period, Ward experienced much growth as a performer and composer and developed a vibrant community of performers, artists, dancers, and listeners.

After graduating from NIU in 2004 with a degree in Jazz Studies/Saxophone Performance, Ward moved to Chicago and took advantage of every opportunity that was offered to him. Composing two pieces for the International Contemporary Ensemble, performing a quartet composition for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Chamber Music Series, composing Wings for the Peoria Ballet Company, and being commissioned by the Jazz Institute of Chicago for a new composition, which was performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival in 2009, are just a few of the many experiences that shaped Ward during his years in Chicago.

In 2009, Ward decided to move to New York City. Almost immediately after he arrived in NYC, he began working with JazzReach, an NYC-based jazz education organization that shares multi-media programs throughout the US. In 2010, he would produce his first CD as a leader with his Chicago-based band, Fitted Shards. South Side Story received much critical acclaim, including "Recording of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune. Next, in 2011, Ward formed Phonic Juggernaut, which features Damion Reid on drums and Joe Sanders on bass. Together, they recorded and released a CD on Thirsty Ear Recordings that same year. Also, in 2011, Ward composed and performed a commission from the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra for a concerto for jazz quartet and string orchestra. In 2012, Ward was selected as one of the two New Music USA Van Lier Fellows. In 2014, he received a commission/residency from the Jazz Gallery and premiered Capturing Sunlight, which was an hour-long work for septet and included a short documentary by Diana Quinones Rivera. The Capturing Sunlight project was inspired by the life and work of Preston Jackson.

Recently, Ward has collaborated with another composer, sound designer, and performer, Caleb Willitz. First, they composed the film score for Beresford Bennett's film, Pinch, which was an official selection of the 2015 San Diego Black Film Festival. Second, Ward and Willitz will be releasing an electro-acoustic project, Gaps and Spaces: Synoptic Optiks."

-Greg Ward Website (http://www.gregwardmusic.us/about/)
3/13/2024

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

"Chicago-based guitarist Matt Gold has been praised for his adaptable sound and textural sensitivity, always finding a fresh and creative way to contribute to a musical situation. This adaptability is evident in his work with ensembles such as deturtle, a group he co-founded that brings together a jazz/worldbeat rhythm section and a contemporary classical string trio; and Sun Speak, a guitar + drums duo whose debut album Light Blue Light was released in 2014.

Matt has performed nationally and internationally at venues including Carnegie Hall, The Mozaretum in Salzberg, The Green Mill, The Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival, and numerous others. He has also appeared on television and radio, with performances on NBC, FOX, and NPR's "Around Noon." A simple twist of fate brought Matt to Oberlin College and Conservatory where he completed degrees in guitar performance and history. He has shared the stage with creative artists including Jamey Haddad, Sean Jones, Petros Klampanis, Vincent Davis, Dominick Farinacci, Paul Samuels, and J-Live. In addition to the guitar, Matt frequently performs on electric bass, drum set, viola, and steel pan."

-Matt Gold Website (http://mattgoldmusic.com/bio/)
3/13/2024

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

"Combining major stints in both New York City and Chicago and numerous tours abroad, Dave Miller has cultivated a truly unique, exciting, and inviting approach to songwriting, improvisation, and the guitar. After releasing three albums to wide acclaim with his experimental rock band, Algernon (Cuneiform Records), Miller has once again redefined his parameters and formed Old Door Phantoms with some of the most creative musical minds in Chicago, yielding fascinating results. This time around, Miller has drawn influence from the elegant melodicism of The Beatles, the psychedelic folk of Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and the raw power and improvisational spirit of guitarists Link Wray, Gabor Szabo, and Charlie Christian. The music, although fresh, forward thinking, and avant garde, is grounded in the art of classic songwriting. The melodies linger and the sounds are warm. The songs play out as mind-expanding textures, but always with an air of compassion and familiarity.

Tracked live at Steve Albini's famed studio, Electrical Audio, the album has the sound and feel of being in the same room as the band. At times, this off the cuff quality to the recordings recalls the instrumental swagger of The Band or Booker T the MGs, while juxtaposing this element with the pulsing experimentalism of Sonic Youth and ambient textures of Brian Eno."

-Dave Miller Website (http://www.davemillerguitar.com/)
3/13/2024

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

"Chicago based bassist/composer and bandleader, Matt Ulery, has developed an instantly recognizable sound. Known for his sweeping lyricism, unconventional phrase structures, expressionistic emotionalism, Ulery's music, from small, diverse chamber ensembles to full orchestras, is informed by the entire spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop, and folk- specifically American, South American, Balkan, and other European folk styles. He has been performing for 20 years on upright, electric, and brass basses.

For a decade, Ulery has been the leader of his own groups and frequent collaborator. Ulery has produced and released 7 critically acclaimed albums of all original music under his name including his most recent double album, "Festival," on his label, Woolgathering Records.

Ulery earned a Master of Music degree at Depaul University and Bachelors degree in music composition at The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and has played in bands with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Fareed Haque, Howard Levy, Patricia Barber, Goran Ivanovic, Jeff Parker, Zach Brock, Jimmy Chamberlin, Makaya McCraven, Marquis Hill and countless others. As a composer, Ulery has collaborated with ensembles such as Eighth Blackbird, New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago, Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, and Wild Belle.

When not touring parts of the U.S. and Europe, Matt appears regularly in the Chicago area music venues and has performed with his own groups at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Chicago Orchestra Hall, Millennium Park Pritzker Pavillion, Chicago Cultural Center, The Krannert Center, Jazz Showcase, The Metro and countless other fine music listening rooms. In addition to performing, recording, and writing, Ulery is on faculty at Loyola University Chicago and gives masterclasses and clinics nationwide."

-Matt Ulery Website (https://www.mattulery.com/about/)
3/13/2024

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

"Quinlan "Quin" Kirchner (born December 14, 1981) is an American jazz and improvisation musician (drums, percussion).

Kirchner received lessons from the age of ten at the Academy of Movement and Music and Merit Music Program of Chicago. With a scholarship from the Basin Street Scholarship, he studied at the University of New Orleans at age 18 with Ricky Sebastian, Jason Marsalis, Troy Davis and Johnny Vidacovich. He earned a bachelor's degree in jazz studies and worked in New Orleans u. a. with Jeff Albert, Irene Sage and Ed Petersen. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Kirchner moved to New York City, where he received his master's degree at the Manhattan School of Music under John Riley graduated before returning to Chicago. There he works since then u. a. with Jeb Bishop, Daniele D'Agaro, AJ Kluth, Greg Ward, Dave Rempis, Matthew Golombisky and the formations flashing., From Beyond (inter alia with Katherine Young, Tim Haldeman), Zing!, Lucky 7s and Elliot Bergman's NOMO. In Germany, Kirchner joined Georg Gräwe and Tobias Delius as part of RUHR.2010 - European Capital of Cultureon. In the field of jazz he was involved between 2006 and 2012 in five recording sessions."

-Wikipedia (Translated by Google) (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quin_Kirchner)
3/13/2024

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


Track Listing:



1. Metropolis 7:05

2. Excerpt 1 2:12

3. The Contender 8:27

4. The Fourth Reverie 4:42

5. Let Him Live 4:33

6. Black Woods 8:07

7. Pitch Black Promenade 11:08

8. Stardust 5:46

9. Sundown 8:24

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
Chicago Jazz & Improvisation
Quintet Recordings
Melodic and Lyrical Jazz
Staff Picks & Recommended Items

Search for other titles on the label:
Greenleaf Music.


Recommended & Related Releases:
Other Recommended Releases:
Clearfield, Rob / Quin Kirchner
Concentric Orbits [VINYL]
(Astral Spirits)
An active and creatively absorbing duo between Chicago drummer Quin Kirchner and French-based pianist Rob Clearfield, recorded spontaneously during the sessions of The Shadows and The Light, with one extended improvisation per side, alternating between percolating rhythms of quick witted exchanges to gorgeous lyrical moments of hanging piano figures.
Bennington, James Colour And Sound
Everlasting Belle
(ThatSwan!)
A tribute to legendary audio engineer George Belle (1948-2019) who worked with a who's who including Horace Tapscott, Jimmy Smith, Gene Rodenberry, &c., in a set of compositions from Mal Waldron, Albert Heath, Herbie Nichols plus original work from leader James Bennigton, saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi, saxophonist James Cook, and group improvisations.
George, Kazemde
I Insist
(Greenleaf Music)
A solid modern jazz album in the Blue Note tradition with a Latin angle, the title a reference to Max Roach's 1960 protest album We Insist! Freedom Now Suite, evoked through strongly melodic tunes composed by Brooklyn saxophonist Kazemde George and performed with vocalist Sami Stevens, keyboardist Isaac Wilson, bassist Tyrone Allen II, and drummer Adam Arruda.
Sanford, David Big Band (feat Hugh Ragin)
A Prayer For Lester Bowie
(Greenleaf Music)
Active since 2013, David Sanford's powerful 20-piece big band based in New York City presents six Sanford originals, along with an effusive arrangement of Dizzy Gillespie's bop composition "Dizzy Atmosphere", the focal point of the album a large and spiritual work composed by trumpeter Hugh Ragin dedicated to and inspired by late trumpeter Lester Bowie.
Stine, Tim Quartet
Knots
(Clean Feed)
After his debut on Astral Spirits, Chicago-based guitarist Tim Stine assembled this quartet with Nick Mazzarella on saxophone, Matt Ulery on bass, and Quin Kirchner on drums, all skilled as bandleaders themselves, to realize Stine's avant compositions, precise harmonically and rhthmically interesting works with a Threadgill feel in surprising shifts of direction.
Millevoi's, Nick Desertion Trio (w/ Jamie Saft)
Midtown Tilt
(Shhpuma)
Leaning more towards rock than jazz, but blending compelling blues-based improv, NY guitarist Nick Millevoi leads his Desertion project through a look at Wildwood, NY, the core of the trio as bassist Johnny DeBlase (Many Arms, Sabbath Assembly) and drummer Kevin Shea (Mostly Other People Do The Killing, Talibam!), with Jamie Saft on organ throughout.
Meridian Trio (Mazzarella / Ulery / Cunningham)
Triangulum
(Clean Feed)
A lyrical outing from the Chicago working trio of Nick Mazzarella on alto saxophone, Matt Ulery on doublebass, and Jeremy Cunningham on drums, performing live at the Whistler in Chicago, Illinois in 2016, recorded for this debut album of Mazzarella compositions, flexible pieces that balance jazz traditions with avant options for the players.
Wooley, Nate Quintet (Wooley / Sinton / Moran / Opsvik / Eisenstadt)
(Dance to) The Early Music
(Clean Feed)
Nate Wooley assembled his outstanding quintet of Josh Sinton on bass clarinet, Matt Moran on vibs, Eivind Opsvik on bass and Harris Eisenstadt on drums to present a non-ironic take on the early music of a trumpeter who inspired Wooley at an early age - Wynton Marsalis.
Lightcap, Chris Bigmouth
Epicenter
(Clean Feed)
Bassist Chris Lightcap's Bigmouth features 2 saxophonists--Chris Cheek and Tony Malaby, Craig Tabor on keys and Gerald Cleavers on drums, in 8 melodic tracks inspired by landmarks of NYC and influenced by jazz tradition, West African music, pop hooks, and more.
Rumback, Charles
Two Kinds of Art Thieves
(Clean Feed)
Drummer Charles Rumback in a quartet with Greg Ward & Joshua Sclar on sax, bringing together jazz tradition with the aesthetics of the eclectic Chicago scene.



Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought:
Carlson, Dustin (w/ Mitchell / Gentile / Hopkins / Morgan / Trudel / Gouker)
Air Ceremony
(Out Of Your Head Records)
A strong album of modern creative jazz from New York guitarist Dustin Carlson, in a septet with Matt Mitchell on synth, Kate Gentile on drums, Adam Hopkins on bass, Nathaniel Morgan on alto saxophone, Eric Trudel on baritone saxophone, Danny Gouker on trumpet, sophisticated, intricate, lyrical and compelling compositions driving the enthusiasm and exuberance of their "ceremony"!
Way Ahead, The (Roligheten / Alberts / Barno / Aleklint / Stahl / Hoyer / Ostvang)
Bells, Ghosts And Other Saints
(Clean Feed)
An incredibly informed and modern album of free jazz drawing on an Albert Ayler influence from the Norwegian and Swedish septet of Andre Roligheten on tenor saxophone, clarinet, Kristoffer Alberts on alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, Niklas Barno on trumpet, Mats Aleklint on trombone, Mattias Stahl on vibraphone, Ola Hoyer on double bass, and Tollef Ostvang on drums.
Hamar Trio (Holm / Faustino / Morao)
Yesterday Is Here
(Clean Feed)
Drawing from two live performances, one at Salao Brazil in Coimbra, the other at SMUP Parede in Lisbon, from the trio of Norwegian multi-reedist Klaus Ellerhusen Holm (Ballrog), and Portuguese double bassist Hernani Faustino (Red Trio) and drummer/percussionist Nuno Morao (The Selva), for four spontaneous improvisations of great depth and mastery.



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

© 2002-, Squidco LLC