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Joe Fonda: Joe Fonda & Bass Of Operation

By Mike Jurkovic
May 25, 2025
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Joe Fonda: Joe Fonda & Bass Of Operation

Only bassist /composer

Joe Fonda

bass
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Fonda—who cut his teeth and honed his humor in the company and camaraderie of such global visionaries as

Wadada Leo Smith

trumpet
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Wadada Leo Smith,

Anthony Braxton

woodwinds
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Braxton,

Barry Altschul

drums
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Barry Altschul,

Paul Bley

piano
1932 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Bley, and

" data-original-title="" title="">Annette Peacock—?can stand defiantly at the? epicenter of a free jazz and classical quartet and ease the ensemble through either door with the deceptively sly and boozy opener "Deja Vu for DC."?

It whirls. It twirls. It is a whole lot of fun and a particularly grand way of kicking off an album. As a quartet of individuals, Fonda,

Michael Rabinowitz

bassoon
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Rabinowitz (bassoon),

Jeff Lederer

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Lederer (clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, piccolo) and

Harvey Sorgen

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Harvey Sorgen (drums) take "Deja Vu for DC" for a ride, and what a woozy ride it is. As is "Magic," as was "Soon to Know," with "Fast" pulling up the rear.?

It is simply a cynic's joy to hear a bassoon cut and swing like it does throughout? Joe Fonda & Bass of Operation. Rabinowitz excels, Lederer is valedictory, Fonda is Fonda as you would expect, Sorgen? Well, Sorgen has that rock n' roll touch to make you think

Jimi Hendrix

guitar, electric
1942 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimi Hendrix with Band of Gyspies, and he intuitively knows when to throw it in the mix.

"Fast" could make any listener swear to the truth of this review. If not "Fast" then certainly the chugging closer "Mosaic." A roller coaster gone awry, each man has his moment,?and that moment is a thing to hear. Ditto Joe Fonda & Bass of Operation.

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Track Listing

Deja Vu for DC; Soon To Know; Magic; MGJ; Fast; What Do You Think; Mosaic.

Personnel

Joe Fonda

bass

Michael Rabinowitz

bassoon

Jeff Lederer

woodwinds

Harvey Sorgen

drums

Album information

Title: Joe Fonda & Bass Of Operation | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Self Produced

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