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James Falzone / Klang: Tea Music

By Mark Corroto
August 10, 2009
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The much-admired 1950s work of clarinetist

Jimmy Giuffre

clarinet
1921 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Giuffre is the inspiration for James Falzone's quartet, known as Klang. But like most things emanating from the insular world of Chicago jazz, the signature is never forged.

Falzone, a clarinetist, has explored many musical forms, from classical and chamber music to French folk and jazz. He has played with

Jorrit Dijkstra

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jorrit Dijkstra's Flatlands Collective and collaborated with

Steve Lacy

saxophone, soprano
1934 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Lacy,

Joe Maneri

saxophone
1927 - 2009

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

Fred Lonberg-Holm

cello
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Lonberg-Holm. Klang formed in 2006 when Falzone and vibraphonist

Jason Adasiewicz

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Adasiewicz, a member of twenty working bands including the

Nicole Mitchell

flute
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicole Mitchell Quartet, improvised one night along with bassist

Mike Mechem

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Mechem (

Mike Reed

drums
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Reed's People, Places, and Things, Tigersmilk, The Flatlands Collective), and drummer

John Purvis

" data-original-title="" title="">John Purvis (Vandermark 5, Rempis Percussion Quartet, Dragons 1976). The group released a limited-edition disc on Luminescence Records, but this disc is their first studio date.

The music, written by different players, is sly and smart, centered on composition and cleverly precise. Their collective approach to improvisation is passionate and sharp; Falzone's orderly clarinet and Adasiewicz's crisp vibraphone travel to another plane. It's the sort of chamber jazz that 1960s musicians such as

Bill Dixon

trumpet
1925 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Dixon,

Eric Dolphy

woodwinds
1928 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Dolphy and

Bobby Hutcherson

vibraphone
1941 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Hutcherson might appreciate. The quartet can open up a composition such as "Oolong With Multiplicity," with its freedom from time signatures; it also exposes the urgency of a track like "Fickle" by expanding and contracting time to create a quite precipitous pulse.

Roebke and Daisy, two musicians whose development is easily tracked through a succession of recent recordings, have blossomed into than simple time keepers. This recording showcases their contributions as equal players to the front line of clarinet and vibes. It's an extraordinary recording from an outstanding quartet.

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Track Listing

G.F.O.P.; Fickle; Lament On Ash Wednesday; Oolong With Multiplicity; No Milk; Giants; #32 Busonius; Klang; Dwarfs; Last Love Song; China Black; Klang...reprise.

Personnel

James Falzone

clarinet

James Falzone: clarinet; Jason Adasiewicz: vibraphone; Jason Roebke: bass; Tim Daisy: drums and percussion.

Album information

Title: Tea Music | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: AllosDocuments

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