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The Saxophone Cartel

Caught In The Act

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Caught in the Act: MP3 Samples

  1. David Miller Presents (full length MP3*)
    *This is a free, artist approved legal file.
    David Miller is a jazz/avant garde trumpet player and the jazz impresario of Bear's Place. Although "Caught in the Act" was recorded at a WFHB studio, we placed this live Bear's introduction on the album for fun, and to give the illusion of a live performance. This intro came from our February 12, 2004 show in which we split a bill with the Ben Himpel Quartet.

  2. Don't Look Back (Himpel) (sample MP3, quintet PDF, sextet PDF)
    Illustrating Ben's compositional style, DLB is an example of the group's avant meets melodic sound. A driving work that got faster as we kept playing it over several months. One compositional challenge for a cappella saxophone writing is, can one keep a piece interesting but without necessarily resorting to walking, 4/4 jazz-like basslines all the time? Ben acheived this through subtly related thematic development, rhythmic slap-tonguing, meter changes, metric modulation, and noise playing. He was inspired by several genres like fugue, avant garde expression, minimalism, and soul music. The chord changes are relatively standard and inviting for blowing; the rhythms are swung but somewhat atypical of the conventional bop/hard bop jazz rhythmic language. Instrumentation is soprano, alto/clarinet, three tenors, bass sax.

  3. Crook (Himpel) (full length MP3*, quintet PDF, sextet PDF)
    *This is a free, artist approved legal file.
    The "crook" refers primarily to the piece's 7/4 meter, and the feeling of dropping a quarter note from two bars of 4/4. This piece has kind of a contemporary jazz and poppish influence while retaining the chamber music quality. The harmony of Crook is structured around several common tones (notes that remain from chord to chord). Interwoven layers of rhythmic activity create a sensation of thrust and stasis. The tenor solo is accompanied by improvised vocal backgrounds. One of Ben's best works.

  4. Minstrels (free improvisation) (sample MP3)
    The title "Minstrels" was suggested by Matt Cashdollar. The name evokes the pastoral image of a distant troubadour singing, or a troupe of old-world minstrels spinning heartfelt, melancholy strains. This piece was spontaneously composed live on the air at WFHB on November 23, 2003.

  5. Passacaglia (Renick) (sample MP3)
    Colin's piece began life as an assignment in David Baker's IU Jazz Composition class. The task was to integrate a constantly repeating ground bass, some part of which must be present at all times as part of the piece's structure (the melody, the bassline, part of the harmony, etc). Colin's Passacaglia draws upon classical, Middle Eastern, reggae, and bossa nova influences. Colin, Michael, and Ariel are featured soloists. This is one of the most physically demanding tunes for the featured baritone soloist, and it requires almost continuous playing for nine and a half minutes, often controlled and dynamically restrained like a classical work.

  6. Ring Shout (free improvisation) (sample MP3)
    A 'ring shout' was an African-American ritual in which participants gathered in a circle, stomped their feet, danced, and sang together. Individuals entered the middle of the group circle to express their view as soloists. The title seemed appropriate, and is a nod to the whole family of great black music. Our "ring shout" also embraces an Eastern European folk feel, the blues, noise, and dissonance. Check out Cash's wonderful "Zornette" moment towards the end of the track. This track was completely spontaneous.

  7. If I knew (Himpel) (sample MP3,  quintet PDF,  sextet PDF)
    'If I Knew' is a piece that occupies an un-selfconscious ground between jazz and classical music, something which Ben excels at. He felt the title would suggest a contemplative atmosphere, a need to know life's purpose and meaning. Besides the memorable original theme and colorful orchestration, the other highlight is the dual tenor improvisation. Ben suggested thinking about J.S. Bach, organ playing, and sensitive group dynamics. The inclusion of the other woodwinds, especially the soprano, flute, and bass clarinet, leavens the sound a bit.

  8. The Old Man (Himpel) (sample MP3, sextet PDF)
    The composer offers a possible narrative interpretation: "The Old Man and Mr. Smith by Sir Peter Ustinov is a witty and highly enjoyable fable about God (The Old Man) and Satan (Mr. Smith) visiting earth for inspection. I don't feel my piece does justice to the book's ingenious storyline, but the music reminds me of the main character. In particular, it illustrates the appearance and the juvenile thoughts of The Old Man...It starts off with the heavy step of The Old Man and a soulful alto solo (Josh) on top of it. A collective bari (Ben) and alto (Matt) improvisation takes it from there until the soprano solo gives a sudden flashback into the childhood of The Old Man. Slowly his mind returns from his daydream..."

  9. Mr. Smith (Himpel) (sample MP3) inspired by Peter Ustinov's novel The Old Man and Mr. Smith
    Somewhat modern classical in its orientation. Ben initially created an opening phrase and some material to immediately follow it. The rest of the composition came later. Following the distant tenor solo, the group reiterates a melody which is interspersed with accelerando/decelerando passages. Matt and Colin are featured in a subtle dual improvisation, with gradually escalating horn backgrounds. Check out Colin's Dolphyesque bass clarinet.

  10. Newton's Nightmare (aka Falling Up) [free improvisation] (sample MP3)
    Imagine if Isaac Newton woke up in a cold sweat from a nightmare in which the laws of gravity were reversed. Gravity suddenly works backwards. Feet, bodies, and objects suspend skyward. All control seems lost until the breaking point - the bottom drops out - and everything comes crashing down to earth. This almost totally sound-based, spontaneous improvisation is one of our more musically and structurally satisfying. (Michael relates:'I can never help laughing when I hear Ben's deafening bari sax entrance - the band explodes into hellacious noise.') Other improvisations at the time tended to be more melodically and harmonically oriented. A disc highlight.

  11. La Cosa Latina (traditional, arr. Cartel) (sample MP3)
    This is a traditional latin American song called "Bajo La Luna"; originally we referred to it as "the latin thing". A catchy tango-like groove, we added indeterminate harmonies, individual solo features, brief quotes from the Ferling etudes, and modal group improv. Josh overdubbed the percussion later.

  12. Key of J.B. (Cashdollar) (sample MP3)
    Cash's dedication to the late great, hardest working man in show business, James Brown. This piece is a funky showcase written in a style reminiscent of James Brown's horn section arrangements, and it also began life as a composition assignment in David Baker's Composition class. Solos feature Josh, Michael, and Matt, with support from two baritone saxes, Colin and Ben. Key of JB has become a staple of live performances and is a highlight of our repertoire.

  13. Creation (free improvisation)(sample MP3)
    Thinking of a name for this improvisation, themes arose relating to life and existence. This spontaneously composed piece encompasses soulful folk-like melodies, clapping and vocalizing, and noise. We utilized found objects (neck strap, music stand) and employed non-traditional usages of the saxophone (playing on neck, mouthpiece alone, etc) to diversify our sound sources. Matt experimented with the "flutophone" (a saxophone body with a flute headjoint on it) and the "saxoflute" (a flute with an alto sax neck and mouthpiece on it). The saxoflute combination is heard on this track.

    The model for this page was influenced by the site for saxophonist Mike Zilber. Please consider visiting Mike's website, and purchasing his latest album, Crossroads: Brooklyn to Berkeley.

    SaxCarTriers: The DB Session

    A spontaneous series of free improvisations in the first-ever encounter between the full Saxophone Cartel and DJ Triers. We set up the microphone and started playing with no discussion or preparation. Hilarious, goofy, energetic, joyful music.

    Personnel:
      Morgan Price, soprano sax, vocals
      Matt Cashdollar, alto & tenor saxes, C melody sax, flute, triangle
      Michael Eaton, alto & tenor saxes, clarinet
      Peter Sparacino, tenor sax
      Colin Renick, baritone sax
      DJ Triers, Casio keyboard
    Engineered by Clark Wick and Robert Schoon.
    Recorded live in March 2006 at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University.
    Produced by DJ Triers and Michael Eaton, for Djeen Bors record label.

    1. All Types of Leans
    2. Some Leans
    3. Tallen Raises
    4. Bainen Races
    5. Waltz for Mrs. Carry Grabs
    6. 500 Facts
    7. The Slow Turner Swing Tune
    8. Fast Turner
    9. Slow Turners
    10. Nothing Like Facts like a Fast Turner March
    11. Some Types of Lain
    12. Characters (Colin Renick)

    download artwork (in Word format)

    For more information, to download any of the complete works of DJ Triers, or to download other music from Djeen Bors artists, please visit The Beautiful Bereish Wereish homepage.