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Jon Irabagon with Mike Pride: I Don't Hear Nothin' But The Blues

By Mark Corroto
June 5, 2009
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Jon Irabagon with Mike Pride: I Don't Hear Nothin' But The Blues

Without playing "name that tune," it is easy to mistake Jon Irabagon and Mike Pride's one song, 48-minute recording for one by

Bill Laswell

bass
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Laswell's Massacre. Same energy, same intensity, and volume, lots of volume.

Funny, because this is an acoustic duo between saxophone and drums, while Massacre is a trio of drummer Charles Hayward, Laswell (electric bass) and

Fred Frith

guitar
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Frith on electric guitar.

Unplugged, saxophonist Irabagon and drummer Pride bring that much ferocity.

Irabagon was the most recent winner of the

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition (a prior winner was

" data-original-title="" title="">Joshua Redman), but might be best known for his work in the self-described "bebop cyborg terrorist band," Mostly Other People Do The Killing. He also leads Outright!, Starship's Journey (a 1980's covers band), and a

Sonny Rollins

saxophone
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Rollins tribute trio. He is also a co-leader or sideman in 10 other ensembles.

Drummer Pride is likewise a busy colleague, leading bands with the likes of

Mary Halvorson

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Mary Halvorson (MPThree),

Bill McHenry

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill McHenry (Whoopie Pie),

Jamie Saft

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jamie Saft and

Andrew D'Angelo

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrew D'Angelo, and a sideman in bands led by

Tony Malaby

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Malaby,

Sonny Simmons

saxophone, alto
1933 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Simmons and

Jack Wright

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack Wright, to name a few.

This duo bridges rock and blues by way of improvised jazz. Pride sticking with his stadium rock rhythm, making large gestures that echo off the scoreboards and t-shirt vendors. It's riotous, somewhat farcical, and intoxicating. Irabagon is up to the challenge, filling in the drawn-out gaps left by Pride. Alternating between honk and wails that draw very little from free jazz. The grind is the blues, Pride altering time throughout, jumping into heavy metal drumming, then bebop, then funk, and rock. Irabagon glues the affair together with his repetition of themes.

Ok, nobody will be shouting "I Don't Hear Nothin' But The Blues" instead of "Free Bird" or "Bohemian Rhapsody," but at least it provides something to think about.

Visit Jon Irabagon and Mike Pride on the web.

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Track Listing

I Don't Hear Nothin' But The Blues.

Personnel

Alex Lucini

Jon Irabagon: tenor saxophone; Mike Pride: drums.

Album information

Title: I Don't Hear Nothin' But The Blues | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Loyal Label

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