Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey in Portland tonight.

From Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey:

Sat. Oct 16, 2010
JFJO in PDX w/Dead Kenny G's!
Doors: 8:30 PM | Show: 8:30 PM

JFJO returns to Portland to celebrate the new album Stay Gold at Mt. Tabor Theater with good friends the Dead Kenny G's as well as an opening set from Trio Subtonic

Mt Tabor Pub
4811 SE Hawthorne
Portland, OR 97215 

Recap: Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey Live

On Friday, Portland was treated with a great performance by JFJO. I was busy, out an about all day and arrived unprepared. No notebook, no camera. The group sounded great. They played two sets (I was only able to stay for the first), which consisted of three songs from "One Day In Brooklyn," a few brand new songs for upcoming releases, and a couple of tunes from prior releases.

They sounded even better in person then on record. Fierce improvised solos, amazing technicality -- while still not seeming like a robot, and a wonderful tightness with timing and flow of compositions. Overall, lots of energy and just fantastic musicianship. I'll look forward to future shows, hopefully they'll pop through Portland again during the summer after their June release. And I'll try to be more prepared to document it. They also mentioned a new 7" coming out in April for National Record Store day. Look for that as well.

If anyone who happens to pass by this post, and knows of/has any photo documentation of the show on 2/19 /10 at Mississippi Studios, I'd love to see if willing to share.

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey Live Friday Night

For those of you here in Portland who are able to check out this blog, I'd like to remind you that JFJO will be performing tomorrow night at Mississippi Studios. Doors open at 8pm. It should be a solid performance, and if you are aching to see some live jazz and need a little teaser before the epic Portland Jazz Festival, maybe this is the show for you.

Yesterday, to get myself pumped up, I spent a great deal of time watching some videos available on their site. Particularly, one that stood out was of the group playing Fables of Faubus -- and playing it really good.

"One Day In Brooklyn" - Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey

JFJO graces us with their newest EP of their own brand of jazz (stream it on their site right now for free). One Day In Brooklyn is a short yet solid collection of tunes that fall into a wide spectrum, covering many grounds.

Catch them live here in Portland on February 19th at Mississippi Studios. I missed them when they were in town back in September due to a Beer event (which was during their Music Millennium in store) followed by a Beer and Art event at the Portland Art Museum (which was during their performance at Jimmy Maks). Can life be all that bad when you have to choose between your three passions – jazz, beer, and art? Any-whos, I feel this will be a more suited venue as Jimmy Maks can put off weird vibes for me.

One Day in Brooklyn offers six tracks of rock, hip-hop, and classical influenced/infused jazz. "The Black and Crazy Blues and A Laugh For Rory (for Joel Dorn)" – [breath] – starts off with a slow building landscape if you will – picture the subtly building scenes of a spaghetti western – before evolving into a shuffle-like beat – the climatic showdown. To conclude the track the band kicks it in high gear with a faster tempo giving way to a shuffle that makes you want to boogie like Cajun or Zydeco music does.

Probably my favorite of the bunch is "Country Girl". An interesting mix of melodies, build ups and break downs. Each instrument stands unique here but relies on the others to create the definitive tone of the song. I know Alt-Country-Rock was a popular term a couple of years ago, but I think JFLO perfected Alt-Jazz, with a certain Country vibe, but that's what happens when you add the lap steel to the mix, and it's well received in this outfit.

The first two tracks give you the sense of a standard backbeat, where others offer straight ahead rhythms with accents on the third beat. "Imam" and "Drethoven" are examples of this heavier rock beat. And the third track, "Julia" a mildly building cut, takes a step back from the swingin' affairs of the other tunes. A balled if you will, fans of The Bad Plus will appreciate this one. The band performs with a feeling of being well rehearsed and are very tight nit, while still offering a free-in the moment feeling.

The album concludes with two endings. "Drethoven," is the epic, closing statement leaving the JFJO maker's mark (a composition inspired by Dr. Dre and Beethoven). Finally everything is smoothed out with the whimsical, "Four In One." A well recognized Thelonious Monk composition leaving the ears begging for more. Word is that JFJO will be having a full length release due out in June, which would mark their 20th record.

2009 - Kannara Records.

Brian Haas - Piano; Joshua Raymer - Drums; Chris Combs - Lap Steel; Matt Hayes - Bass.

New Releases

Just wanted to go over some newer albums I have taken a liken to and wanted to share.

I received word in my inbox by the great publication, Wax Poetics, of their debut album release as a label of the group 9dw. Self Titled is due to be released 09/09/09 but pre-orders for limited (1,500 pressings), hand numbered, clear color vinyl are now being taken. If you're like me, and obsess over the collectibility of rare, unique vinyl and dig talented musicians and chill backbeats, you may want to snag a copy. I would compare these guys to Tortoise like grooves colliding with the eclecticism of Aphex Twin, but definitely more funky.

Also, I've recently discovered a contemporary jazz group called Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. A wonderfully technical yet free flowing ensemble of piano, drums, bass, and slide guitar or lap steel. They often infuse the likes of traditional jazz stylings with modern math or noise rock and even as far as hip hop. You can download their entire current release, Winterwood, for free from their site. Fans of The Bad Plus and technical, progressive, melodic instrumental rock should give these guys a try.

I am going to do write up of Dave Hollands, Conference of the Birds coming soon.