David Berkman in town...

[LarryCurleyMoe]

WOW - just heard David Berkman's quartet here at the University of Illinois Jazz Forum today...didn't even realize he was in town! Going to play at Green Mill this weekend I think - A MUST HEAR for those of you in the Windy City - Jimmy Greene on Tenor is just MIND BLOWING! This quartet rocks and takes the music to a level of sophistication and groove that I haven't heard in a LONG TIME - again A MUST HEAR if you're in Chicago!

BTW - I recommend Berkman's "Handmade" cd as a great intro Brian Blade, Steve Wilson, Tom Harrell...some heavy shit!

[relyles]

Jimmy Greene is from my corner of the world and I have enjoyed following his development since first seeing him in an in store performance at a local record store shortly after he participated in the Monk competetion. I heard Berkman live a couple of years ago at the Litchfield Jazz Festival. At the time the performance did not make a signigicant impression on me, but I have since become a fan of his music.

[Clunky]

David's not to be missed, I've seen him now perhaps 8 times in the last 4 years and it's always a pleasure. His compositions sit on the right side of weird and he has a keen sense of orchestration event if it's only a quartet he's leading. I've not seen him play with Jimmy Greene, most recently it's been Dick Oatts ( underrated IMO) or Phil Bancroft on saxes.

Edited March 3, 2006 by Clunky

[Big Wheel]

Dick Oatts may be underrated by the critics, but he certainly isn't underrated by the young alto players I know.

[sal]

I saw Berkman last year at the Green Mill with Dick Oatts, Ugonna Okegwo, and Gerald Cleaver. It was a fantastic show. Was looking forward to seeing him this weekend, but I've come down with a nasty cold and the Green Mill is one of the smokiest places in chi town.

Edited March 4, 2006 by sal