OTS is a series of jazz and improvised music events in Lexington, KY. The series tries to give a home to artists making music that doesn't fit with commercial sensibilities and to build an environment where artists and audience can interact more directly. It's a very informal undertaking.

Friday, September 23, 2005

review of last week's FME/Flaherty-Corsano show in today's Herald-Leader

A review of OTS/Event 053 from today's Herald-Leader. Glad to see that Walter took time to compliment Underlying Themes as well.

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Lexington Herald-Leader
September 23, 2005
Weekender section

"The week that was"
by Walter Tunis, contributing music critic

FME with Paul Flaherty/Chris Corsano Duo at Underlying Themes

The working dynamics of these two free jazz ensembles were fundamentally the same. Both emphasized monstrous saxophone voices while utilizing drummers to design rhythmic foundations that moved and shifted dramatically underneath. It was as if the music lived and breathed on a fault line.

FME (Free Music Ensemble) is fronted by the always- resourceful Chicago reed player Ken Vandermark. He punctured his trio's exchanges with muscular leads on baritone saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet but regularly recoiled so bassist Nate McBride and drummer Paul Nilssen-Love could supplement blasts of elegant cool (on Exit Republic) or transform a wild march into jagged funk (on the 35-minute Decoder). Almost continuously, FME played with a unison voice instead of as a rhythm section that conventionally trailed a soloist. But its resulting music, provocative as it was, still balanced improvisational might with grooves that were infectious and inviting.

Saxophonist Flaherty and Corsano presented music that was more purposely conversive. With no bassist to work off of, Flaherty would erupt with tenor and alto sax leads of frightening intensity, while Corsano came across as a rhythmic pressure cooker full of ideas that his hands (and legs) could barely keep up with. During the second of two 20-minute improvs, Corsano wound up with the soles of his feet grinding metal dishes atop a pair of drumheads while he scraped out sounds on the rims of his kit with violin bows. A true Kodak moment.

A thumbs-up, as well, to Underlying Themes, a new loft performance/gallery space atop Buster's at the corner of Main and Upper. The sound it offered was contained, clear and efficient, while its overall vibe was informal and immensely cordial. Although it's hardly a penthouse, the venue seems poised to be a prime vehicle for giving underground art a towering, visible downtown presence.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

take 1

awight, folks.
trying to create a new way for peeps to find out about upcoming OTS shows.
so, i guess we'll start with a list of upcoming shows ..

NEXT! Outside the Spotlight / Event 054
SARIS
Sara Schoenbeck - bassoon
Harris Eisenstadt - percussion
Saturday, September 24 @ Underlying Themes, 110 S. Upper (above Buster's, entrance next to Mia's)
8pm, all ages welcome, $3

Outside the Spotlight / Event 055
JACK WRIGHT-CAROL GENETTI-JON MUELLER trio
Jack Wright - saxophone
Carol Genetti - voice
Jon Mueller - drums
Wednesday, September 28 @ Firebird Studio, 359 W. Short St (near the corner of Broadway)
9pm, all ages welcome, FREE!

Outside the Spotlight / Event 056
MATT WESTON with BEN S. JACOB/ADAM P. SCHWEIGERT duo
Matt Weston - solo percussion
Ben S. Jacob/Adam P. Schweigert - violin + electronics
Thursday, October 6 @ Underlying Themes, 110 S. Upper (above Buster's, entrance next to Mia's)
8pm, all ages welcome, $3

Outside the Spotlight / Event 057
HUEBSCH's LONGRUN DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNIVERSE
Carl Ludwig Huebsch - tuba
Matthias Schubert - saxophone
Wolter Wierbos - trombone
Monday, October 17 @ Underlying Themes, 110 S. Upper (above Buster's, entrance next to Mia's)
8pm, all ages welcome, $3

Outside the Spotlight / Event 058
TIM DAISY's FESTIVAL QUARTET
Tim Daisy - drums
Josh Berman - cornet
Keefe Jackson - saxophone
Anton Hatwich - bass
Thursday, October 27 @ Underlying Themes, 110 S. Upper (above Buster's, entrance next to Mia's)
8pm, all ages, $3

Outside the Spotlight / Event 059
THE THING with JOE McPHEE
Mats Gustafsson - reeds
Inegbrigt Haker Flaten - bass
Paal Nilssen-Love - drums
Joe McPhee - reeds + brass
Monday, November 21 @ Underlying Themes, 110 S. Upper (above Buster's, entrance next to Mia's)
8pm, all ages welcome, $5

Outside the Spotlight / Event 060
** OTS 3rd Birthday Celebration **
SABIR MATEEN QUINTET
Sabir Mateen - reeds
Raphe Malik - trumpet
Raymond King - piano
Jane Wang - cello
Ravish Momin - drums
Friday, December 9 @ venue tba