Photo © Mephisto

Great news on David S. Ware’s search for a kidney donor!

Dear friends, fans and extended family of the AUM Community:

I’m very happy to report some great news on David’s journey.  The first of the beautiful people who came forward in response to the call for help – this particular beautiful person being Laura Mehr – has passed the screening process with flying colors, and a date – May 5th – has been scheduled for the kidney transplant operation.

In the 8 weeks leading up to this, David will of course continue his intensive daily dialysis regimen, and following the operation he will have at least a 3 month recuperation period.

In response to our initial email, a number of folks inquired about sending donations to David to help cover expenses during this time in which he has not been and will not be able to work.  For details on sending donations of support to David in this time, as well as note from and further info on donor Laura Mehr, and continued updates on the progress, please click and bookmark this page:
http://www.aumfidelity.com/david-s-ware-health.html

To all who forwarded and posted our original email with the critical news of his search, please do the same with this notice and the aforementioned URL so that the good news may be spread as well!

Thank you Laura(!) and to all once again for your emails and energy of support;
here’s to full-on success on May 5th and forward!

Steven Joerg
AUM Fidelity

From Aum Fidelity:

Dear friends, fans and extended family of the AUM Community:

It is with much happiness to report some great news on David’s journey. The first of the beautiful people who came forward in response to the call for help – this particular beautiful person being Laura Mehr – has passed the screening process with flying colors, and a date – May 5th – has been scheduled for the kidney transplant operation.

In the 8 weeks leading up to this date, David will of course continue his intensive daily dialysis regimen, and following the operation he will have at least a 3 month recuperation period.

In response to our initial email, a number of folks inquired about sending donations to David to help cover expenses during this period of time in which he has not been and will not be able to work. Any such donations would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to do so:

You can PayPal to this address/account: aum@aumfidelity.com
in which case, please include a simple note, “for David S. Ware support”
You can also send check or money orders made out to David S. Ware to:

……..AUM Fidelity
……..PO Box 170147
……..Brooklyn, NY 11217

To all who forwarded and posted our original email with the critical news of his search, please do the same with this notice and this URL: http://www.aumfidelity.com/david-s-ware-health.html, in order that the good news be spread as well!

The same chart features David S. Ware’s Shakti (AUM Fidelity) at #12, the slot it’s maintained for the past three weeks.

Here is where I post, at a frequency of about once a week, a list of the new music that has caught my attention that week. All of the releases listed below I’ve heard for the first time this week and come recommended.

E.R.A. – Introducing…the E.R.A. (2008, free jazz)
Reut Regev – This is R Time (2009, creative jazz)
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Omar – Se Dice Bisonte, No Bùfalo (2007, avant-rock)
Gerald Cleaver / William Parker / Craig Taborn – Farmers by Nature (2009, free jazz)
Bertram Turetzky / Damon Smith – Thoughtbeetle (2009, free jazz)
Alex Cline – Continuation (2009, jazz)
David S. Ware – Shakti (2009, free jazz)
Rick Helzer / Vinny Golia (Fancy Meeting You Here (2005, free jazz)
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey – Live @ Largo (2009, jazz)
Squadra Omega – Tenebroso (2008, free form jam)
Squadra Omega – Rennesle Chateau (2008, free form jam)
Michael Riessler – Mirage (2009, modern composed classical / jazz)

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• Ancestors And Shakti Reviewed In March DownBeat (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• Shakti Reviewed At PopMatters.com (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• Exclaim! Reviews Farmers By Nature (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• Cleaver/Parker/Taborn’s Farmers By Nature Out Today (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• Mirror Twins: Conversations with Nels and Alex Cline – PopMatters (netnewmusic.net)
• Farmers By Nature Reviewed By AMG, Free Jazz (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• PoD Reviews David S. Ware + Cleaver/Taborn/Parker (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• Music Review | Craig Taborn: Holding Jazz Electronica to a Higher Standard (nytimes.com)

“Prayer Wheel”

More On This Album

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• Nels and Alex Cline To Release Discs on Same Day (idiomag.com)

“The instrumentalists create with an insistent intensity as they journey to the singular aim of transcendence. The music comes across as imminent and immanent. Shakti operates as a call to remind people of their deeper essences.”

De andere platen die ik tegelijkertijd bestelde en intussen ontving – The Cedar Box Recordings van Cooper-Moore en Petit Oiseau van het William Parker Quartet – heb ik zelfs niet eens kunnen beluisteren. Dat zegt genoeg.

Label AUM Fidelity

Artist: Pauline Oliveros
Album: Four Electronic Pieces 1959-1966
Label: Sub Rosa
Review date: Feb. 10, 2009

Artist: David S. Ware
Album: Shakti
Label: AUM Fidelity
Review date: Feb. 9, 2009

Artist: Henri Pousseur
Album: Electronic Experimental and Microtonal 1953-1999
Label: Sub Rosa
Review date: Feb. 9, 2009

Artist: Giuseppe Ielasi
Album: Aix
Label: 12k
Review date: Feb. 6, 2009

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• Shakti Reviewed By Dusted And JazzTimes (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• Ancestors And Shakti Reviewed In March DownBeat (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• PoD Reviews David S. Ware + Cleaver/Taborn/Parker (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)

Just a quick reminder that four highly anticipated albums are out today. Efforts by Alex Cline and Nels Cline have been released on Cryptogramophone, and recordings by David S. Ware (actually released 2 weeks ago) and the trio of William Parker, Gerald Cleaver and Craig Taborn are out on Aum Fidelity.

And, all four are available now on eMusic. Surf, download, repeat.

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• Ancestors And Shakti Reviewed In March DownBeat (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• Shakti Reviewed By Dusted And JazzTimes (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)
• PoD Reviews David S. Ware + Cleaver/Taborn/Parker (improvisedcommunications.wordpress.com)

“Ware’s inventiveness burns as brightly as ever,” writes Marc Medwin in his review for Dusted, “his playing encompassing every dynamic and expressive shade. Shakti is a bold new statement from a true innovator.”

In the new March issue, JazzTimes‘ Steve Greenlee adds, “he is certainly employing a broader palette than he did in his younger days. Gone is Matthew Shipp, who helped sculpt the Ware sound, replaced with guitarist Joe Morris, who plays with much more subtlety, giving Ware more breathing room for his own solos…a new direction for Ware, one that promises to be equally fulfilling.”

This is so sad. For me Ware, together with Anthony Braxton, is the definition of jazz. They are the two most expressive saxophone players I’ve ever heard. I beg you, please, please do whatever you can to help. I’ll quote from Signal to Noise:

Ware is seeking interested donors who are under 60 years of age and who are in generally good health without diabetes and high blood pressure. The transplant would take place at New Jersey’s highly-regarded Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. If you think you can help, get in touch with Joerg at 718 854 2387 or at aum@aumfidelity.com.

You can read more about Ware on the Signal to Noise post or at his web site. I’m with you mentally and spiritually David, I need you, the world needs you!

Some highlights:

• 4 tracks in a row from the members of Go Home. Can you spot ‘em?
• David S. Ware‘s latest debuts on the show
• Interesting mainstream-ish CD from local electric violinist Yehudit.
• Played Marco Benevento again; he’s doing a month-long semi-residency at Yoshi’s Oakland.

Most album titles link into KZSU’s Zookeeper database; the icon means there’s a review or description there as well.

Artist	Track		Album/Label
Brinsk	A Hamster Speaks		A Hamster Speaks Nowt Records
Ware, David S.	Crossing Samsara		Shakti Aum Fidelity
Gilfema	Your World		Gilfema + 2 Obliqsound
Gang Gang Dance	Bebey		Saint Dymphna The Social Registry
Hunter, Charlie	Astronaut Love Triangle		Baboon Strength Spire Artist Media
Amendola, Scott Band	Valentine		Believe Cryptogramophone
Goldberg, Ben Quintet	Song And Dance		Door, The Hat, The Chair, The Fact, The Cryptogramophone
Miles, Ron	Erase Yourself		My Cruel Heart Gramavision
Malaby, Tony/Cello Trio	Warblepeck		Warblepeck Clean Feed
	– (4:00 p.m.) –
Holland, Dave Sextet	Double Vision		Pass It On Emarcy Records
Altschul, Barry	Another Time/Another Place		Another Time/Another Place Muse Records
Frazier, Colter Quartet	Late Again		Colter Frazier Quartet PfMENTUM
Benevento, Marco	Bus Ride		Invisible Baby Hyena Records
Halvorson, Mary Trio	Old Nine Two Six Four Two Dies		Dragon’s Head Firehouse 12
Mostly Other People Do The Killing	Two Boot Jacks		This Is Our Moosic Hot Cup
Dot Tape Dot	Slow Birds For Mayo T.		Tomavistas Other Electricities
Parker, Evan	Synergetics #16		Synergetics – Phonomanie Iii Leo Records
Rothkamm, Frank	21		Opus Spongebobicum Flux
	– (5:00 p.m.) –
Horist, Bill	Epilepticify [w/Eveline Muller-Graf]		Soylent Radio Unit Circle Rekkids
Cluster	Second Part [excerpt]		Berlin 07 Important Records
Vervloesem, Pierre	Roaccutane		Not Even Close Off
Romus, Rent / Jazz On The Line With Chico Freeman	Moons Of Neptune		Thundershine Edgetone Records
Mezzacappa, Lisa/Before and After	Push-Pull		n/a [taken from lisamezzacappa.com] n/a
Bates, Michael	Machinery		Clockwise Greenleaf Music
Yehudit	In The Zone		In The Zone Edgetone Records
Australian Bebop Ragas	Bollywood Fantasia		Snakes And Ladders Family Tree Music

The February issue of Point of Departure features reviews of AUM Fidelity’s two latest releases, David S. Ware’s Shakti and Gerald Cleaver/William Parker/Craig Taborn’s Farmers By Nature.

PoD’s editor/publisher Bill Shoemaker writes, “There are plenty of saxophonists who have a commanding presence; few have as many ways of establishing it as Ware. Shakti is both a successful turning of the page for Ware, as well as a reminder of just how compelling a figure he remains.”

In his review of Farmers by Nature, Ed Hazell notes, “everyone is listened to and supported and offers up suggestions and ideas that turn into fruitful directions for the band to explore. Like the farmers of the album’s title, this trio excels at planting kernels of sound and letting the music flower and flourish.”

El martes por la noche tuve el placer de disfrutar de una excelente sesión de jazz. El inigualable William Parker nos deleitó con una free jazz en un solo de contrabajo donde primó la improvisación realmente espectacular. La velada reunió todos lo elementos para hacerla perfecta, el local, el ambiente, el instrumento y, sobre todo, el ritmo del bajista y su creación de la música.

La sala fue Le Swing, un club privado de jazz en un segundo piso del centro de Madrid; no tendrá ni 300 metros y allí, sobre un mínimo escenario, se desarrolló la actuación. Los asistentes eramos poco más de cincuenta personas y, por supuesto, había una barra de bar con su barman preparando todo tipo de cocteles y el humo flotaba enrareciendo el ambiente. Hay que señalar que el concierto ha tenido lugar en este club dado que el Bogui Jazz, organizador del evento y que pretendía reabrir su sala de Barquillo, sigue cerrado, sin que aún se hayan solucionado los trámites administrativos. El cerrojazo se produjo el pasado mes de octubre por el Ayuntamiento de Madrid y desde esa fecha se convirtió en una sala nómada continuando sus actuaciones en otras salas.

Como ya he señalado anteriormente fue todo un espectáculo, William Parker subió al escenario sólo con su contrabajo y comenzó a tocar, suavemente al principio, sacando apenas unas notas del instrumento, poco a poco comenzaron a aparecer sonidos nuevos, con ciertos aires africanos que nos fueron transportando a la música negra y al soul, y la intensidad crecía. Con una increible capacidad técnica, utilizando para ello no sólo los dedos sino toda la mano y la muñeca, golpeando la caja hasta con el hombro, acompañándose inclusive de los pies como percusión del mismo escenario, murmullos casi imperceptibles que emitía con su boca, logró extraer sonidos insospechados en una vorágine de ritmo y música, prodciéndose la impresión de estar escuchando a toda una orquesta. Y así estuvo sin parar, sin tomarse un respiro más de cincuenta minutos, y trás una mínima pausa inició otra nueva improvisación.

William Parker, poeta, compositor y músico, es uno de los contrabajistas imprescindibles en el jazz actual. Según el Village Voice, es el “bajista de free jazz más consecuentemente brillante de todos los tiempos”. Nacido en Nueva York en 1952, está reconocido como lider de los jóvenes músicos del jazz del Lower East Side, la vanguardia neoyorquina, siendo compañero durante muchos años del pianista Cecil Taylor y del saxofonista David S. Ware, habiendo tocado también con el grupo de Peter Brötzmann. Parker ha grabado y actuado con otros muchos músicos.

The Mario Pavone Double Tenor Quintet’s Ancestors (Playscape Recordings) and David S. Ware’s Shakti (AUM Fidelity) each receive four-star reviews in the current issue of DownBeat.

In his review of Ancestors, Bill Shoemaker notes the “smart, well-hooked compositions and a sterling rhythm section rounded out by Peter Madsen and Gerald Cleaver.”  He adds, “Like its predecessors, the album has a rallying spirit and a progressive bead on traditional practice.  It is what jazz needs from its eminent leaders.”

Michael Jackson writes, “As with Sonny Rollins, although Ware is an entirely different player, there is an uncompromising individuality to Ware’s approach.”  He also singles out William Parker’s “deep-pawed bass”, Joe Morris’ “bulbous, bell-like sound” and Warren Smith’s “surround-sound polyrhythmic forest of splashes and rumbling toms”.

The BBC’s Chris Jones called Shakti “a mighty return for one of the greatest players alive today,” while Exclaim‘s Nilan Perera added, “Clear composition and strong, beautiful, connected improvising make this a most satisfying CD.”

David S. Ware © Mephisto

Good news from Steven Joerg this morning on the search for a kidney donor:

Dear Friends,

Thank You All for your notes and your energy of support in response to the critical news. This page has been created to keep you up to date.

The beautiful news is that a number of potential donors have stepped forward; deepest blessings. The first is in the process of being screened toward potential transplant surgery.

Medicare policy (David’s principal insurance) is rather evidently that only one donor at a time may be screened. It is both David and this donor’s hope that all may move toward this transplant. The screening process takes time as has been made apparent.

David is in stable condition and continuing peritoneal dialysis at home. His spirits have been brightened in the past week and a half by all of your responsive energy, and we remain optimistic. When the time comes, we will send out a notice in response to the many inquiries we’ve had for donations toward further direct support.

AGAIN: To All who have extended their positive energy and prayers and love to David in response to the call, Thank You. To more good news soon! 

–SJ/AUM/DSW

Dear Friends,

Thank You All for your notes and your energy of support in response to the critical news. This page has been created to keep you up to date:
http://www.aumfidelity.com/david-s-ware-health.html

The beautiful news is that a number of potential donors have stepped forward; deepest blessings. The first is in the process of being screened toward potential transplant surgery. Medicare policy (David’s principal insurance) is rather evidently that only one donor at a time may be screened. It is both David and this donor’s hope that all may move toward this transplant. The screening process takes time as has been made apparent. David is in stable condition and continuing peritoneal dialysis at home. His spirits have been brightened in the past week and a half by all of your responsive energy, and we remain optimistic. When the time comes, we will send out a notice in response to the many inquiries we’ve had for donations toward further direct support.

AGAIN: To All who have extended their positive energy and prayers and love to David in response to the call, Thank You. To more good news soon! And once again, please do forward this notice and webpage link:

http://www.aumfidelity.com/david-s-ware-health.html

to all who we haven’t yet reached with it. –SJ/AUM/DSW

Source: AUM Fidelity

I’m listening to Shakti, the much-lauded David S. Ware CD that officially got released this week, and I’m struck by the change in his style over the years. Shakti‘s quartet playing is still edgy but has such a warm, cushiony feel.

But wait — is this just me? I mean, I’ve recently sampled Dao and Cryptology, CDs from about 15 years ago: aggressive playing with pointy corners. Shakti is certainly different from that. But is it all that different from Ware’s work of five or even 10 years ago, when he got that brief contract with Columbia? Am I just being fooled because Matthew Shipp‘s marble-hall piano chords are replaced by Joe Morris‘ jazz guitar?

Time for a taste test. I go to Ware’s Live in the World and drop a 2003 disc into the CD player. I hit shuffle.

(OK, shuffle is bad: It picks “Lexicon,” three minutes of scorched-earth blasting. That’s the encore track, so it doesn’t count. Next.)

Here we go: “Sentient Compassion” does have a feel that a 2003 listener might call “mellow” compared with Ware’s early work. It’s got rippling deep-water piano, heavy on the sustain pedal, but the sax part has a declarative, regal feel — from around 1998 to 2006, Shipp and Ware had this Tyner/Coltrane air going. The bowed bass solo is furious, but not a hard blare, and backed only by slow and subtle piano. Sax comes back, soloing over slow, easy-to-follow chords, with a heavy importance.

Back to Shakti, then. “Crossing Samsara” gets into some twisty, throttling sax right away, but it’s not that regal feel; it’s earthier. The composed theme is more serene, without overdosing on the peace-and-love thing. Ware’s solo, though — it’s sounding different, but is that the solo itself, or the effect of Morris’ guitar?

“Reflection” might be a better comparison. Casual, swingy — actually, there’s a clear difference in temprament from the 2003 session, right from the first notes. Ware’s solo flows and weaves nicely, keeping up a dogged tenacity without shattering the relaxed mood of the piece. (Catchy themes aren’t anything new for Ware, though; 1998′s “Mikuro’s Blues” was a nifty number in 10/4 time.)

Something’s definitely coming through, though. Even the relative intensity of the title track, “Shakti” — which ends with high-intensity, high-register sax squealing — shows a kind of restraint that’s new, at least in my Ware-listening experience. In fact, the one Shakti track where Ware flashes his old-school self, “Antidromic,” turns out to be reprised from his first AUM Fidelity album, Wisdom of Uncertainty. And even then, “Antidromic” is presented with tact, keeping consistent with the rest of the album.

So, where’s the difference in Shakti? Part of it is the surroundings, guitar vs. piano. But I think Ware has matured in his attack, too, making it less complex in raw volume of notes (and in raw volume) but producing a more sophisticated package in the process. It’s softer, but that’s an oversimplification.

So, my amateur ears split Ware’s career into three phases. (And keep in mind, I’m ignorant of anything he did before 1994. He could have been doing Smiths covers before that, for all I know.) There’s the mid-’90s angry aggression; the grand, Coltrane-infused sound of the years around 2000; and now, possibly, a new phase drawn even more from spiritual roots, but in a more accepting way. It’s a confident wisdom instead of a furious quest. And while I still enjoy the bluster of those earlier albums, it’s great to hear Ware trying out new contexts for his work. Oh, and by the way, Shakti does sound great.

EPILOGUE:

This release, Ware’s fifth for the label and his first studio date since 2003, marks the recorded debut of a new working ensemble, his first since the disbanding of the long-lived and prolific David S. Ware Quartet (1989-2006).

Shakti presents a distinctive selection of Ware compositions written specifically for this group, which features guitarist Joe Morris, bassist William Parker and drummer Warren Smith, as well as a new interpolation of “Antidromic” from 1997′s Wisdom of Uncertainty (AUM001).

Here’s a sample of the press response thus far:

“Those who enjoy the music of David S. Ware can easily relate to this excellent recording of his new music concept, backed by equally extraordinary players who perfectly understand his vision and purpose.”
—Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

“Ware projects total conviction in the central role, his improvisations towering and incandescent.”
—Andy Hamilton, The Wire

“Joined by erstwhile bassist William Parker, Ware finds accord in two new ensemble mates, iconic guitarist Joe Morris and legendary drummer Warren Smith. A refreshingly lyrical and emotionally committed performance by masterful improvisers, Shakti ebbs with soulful intensity and inspired interplay, making this one of the most compelling, yet accessible, recordings of Ware’s career.”
—Troy Collins, AllAboutJazz.com

As you likely know, the release of this recording, which was intended to kick-off a year of celebrating Ware’s 50th anniversary as a saxophone player, comes at a time of declining health and the news he is in immediate need of a kidney transplant.

Thanks to all who have expressed their well wishes, especially those who have help spread the call for potential donors across cyberspace.  I hope to have positive news to share in the coming days and weeks.

David S. Ware! Feldman/Caine/Cohen/Baron! Borah Bergman Trio. John Zorn! David S. Ware!, Matt Shipp Trio! Trio 3 Irene Schweizer! Okkyung/Evans/Beresford! Aki Takase & Rudi Mahall! King Crimson – Live in Italy!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Flow Trio – Rejuvenation (ESP, 2009) ****

Tuesday, January 20, 2009
David S. Ware – Shakti (AUM Fidelity, 2009) ****½

Monday, January 19, 2009
Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pak Coalition – Apti (Innova, 2008) ****

Sunday, January 18, 2009
Erik Truffaz – Benares (EMI, 2008) ****

Saturday, January 17, 2009
Dennis González & Faruk Z. Bey – Hymn For Tomasz Stanko (Qbico, 2009) *****

Collins writes, “A refreshingly lyrical and emotionally committed performance by masterful improvisers, Shakti ebbs with soulful intensity and inspired interplay, making this one of the most compelling, yet accessible, recordings of Ware’s career.”