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Alex Coke-Carl Michel Sextet Release 'Situation' on Play On Records

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Source: All About Jazz
February 4, 2025
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The Alex Coke-Carl Michel Sextet features Coke (woodwinds) and Michel (guitar) with

Elaine Barber

harp

" data-original-title="" title="">Elaine Barber (concert harp),

Bob Hoffnar

guitar, steel

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Hoffnar (pedal steel guitar),

" data-original-title="" title="">James Suter (acoustic bass) and Carolyn Trowbridge (vibraphone). This distinctive six piece composer��s forum from Austin, Texas, breaks down barriers of musical genres, fearlessly exploring the possibilities involved in combining musicians from diverse musical backgrounds. The music is consistently cinematic and offers listeners a warm, modern, propulsive sound expressed through colorful timbres and solid musicianship.

For their third recording, Situation, the six versatile musicians perform six originals by the co-leaders and one composition by Hoffnar, the playful ��Let��s Go To The Park.�� Originals by the co-leaders include the quietly adventurous ��Sketchy,�� The Seeker,�� (listen for a fiery, melodic tenor solo), two group improvisations ��Suikinkutsu 2�� and ��Suikinkutsu 3��. Other originals include the mysterious ��Situation�� (with solo statements from each musician), ��221�� with its strong forward momentum, and the impressionistic ��Sea And Sky,�� Situation features ��Crepuscule With Nellie,�� an homage to

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk. Additional arrangements include: ��440,�� a catchy melody by

Carla Bley

piano
1938 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carla Bley; a haunting version of

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter��s ��Miyako��; a melancholy rendition of Respighi��s ��Pines of Rome��; and the magical ��Aquarium�� from Saint-Sa?n��s Carnival of the Animals.

Alex Coke}} was an original member of the Creative Opportunity Orchestra, performed as part of the legendary Willem Breuker Kollektief for a decade, worked extensively with Tina Marsh, and has led such groups as New Visions, the Live Action Brass Band, the Leadbelly Legacy Band, New Texas Swing, and The Worthy Constituents. Guitarist Carl Michel}}, who was also a co-leader of the Creative Opportunity Orchestra, worked with the Madison Music Collective, composed many soundtracks, and led a series of albums for PlayOn Records including a set of

Paul Motian

drums
1931 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Motian compositions titled Music In Motian. Elaine Barber, Principal harpist of the Austin Symphony, is a regular guest with the San Antonio Symphony, and performs a wide variety of music including jazz and early music. Pedal steel guitarist Bob Hoffnar runs a live concert performance series (the Liminal Sound Series) that commissions new works and features musicians and performers in Austin, Texas. Carolyn Trowbridge, who grew up in the Czech Republic and Norway, is a percussionist who plays vibraphone, marimba, steel pan, and world percussion. Carolyn is well-versed in many musical genres from jazz and funk to rock and soul. Bassist James Suter has shared the stage with many top jazz artists including

Gary Burton

vibraphone
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Burton,

Chris Potter

saxophone, tenor
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Potter,

Branford Marsalis

saxophone
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Branford Marsalis,

Jimmy Heath

saxophone, tenor
1926 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Heath,

Joe Lovano

drums
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Lovano, and

Joey Calderazzo

piano
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey Calderazzo among others.

Following the success of their first two albums (The Emissary and Emergence), the Alex Coke-Carl Michel Sextet continues its creative evolution. Situation weaves together the individual members contributions in a collaborative offering that could only be theirs.The Alex Coke-Carl Michel Sextet features Coke (woodwinds) and Michel (guitar) with

Elaine Barber

harp

" data-original-title="" title="">Elaine Barber (concert harp),

Bob Hoffnar

guitar, steel

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Hoffnar (pedal steel guitar),

James Suter

bass

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk. Additional arrangements include: ��440,�� a catchy melody by

Carla Bley

piano
1938 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carla Bley; a haunting version of

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

Alex Coke

woodwinds
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Coke was an original member of the Creative Opportunity Orchestra, performed as part of the legendary Willem Breuker Kollektief for a decade, worked extensively with Tina Marsh, and has led such groups as New Visions, the Live Action Brass Band, the Leadbelly Legacy Band, New Texas Swing, and The Worthy Constituents. Guitarist

Carl Michel

guitar
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Michel, who was also a co-leader of the Creative Opportunity Orchestra, worked with the Madison Music Collective, composed many soundtracks, and led a series of albums for PlayOn Records including a set of

Paul Motian

drums
1931 - 2011

Gary Burton

vibraphone
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Burton,

Chris Potter

saxophone, tenor
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Potter,

Branford Marsalis

saxophone
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Branford Marsalis,

Jimmy Heath

saxophone, tenor
1926 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Heath,

Joe Lovano

drums
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Lovano, and

Joey Calderazzo

piano
b.1965

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Track Listing

440; Sketchy; The Seeker; Suikinkutsu 3; Introduction To Aquarium; Aquarium; Situation; 221; Sea And Sky; Let's Go To The Park; Crepuscule With Nellie; Pines Of Rome; Miyako; Suikinkutsu 2.