Chuck Nessa Posted July 17, 2014 Report Posted July 17, 2014 Thursday, July 31, 2014 NRG Ensemble (Ken Vandermark, Mars Williams, Brian Sandstrom, Kent Kessler, Steve Hunt)The Hal Russell Story A drummer, saxophonist, trumpeter and bandleader, Russell was one of the most colorful, flexible and fiery jazz musicians to ever work in Chicago. His long-running NRG Ensemble was formed in 1980 and became a major influence on the free jazz and improvised music scene of the 90s. The original lineup—reedist Mars Williams; bassist, guitarist, and trumpeter Brian Sandstrom; bassist Kent Kessler; and drummer Steve Hunt, along with reedist Ken Vandermark (who often subbed in the band) and cellist/trumpeter Fred Lonberg-Holm—reunites to play the last album they made with Russell: The Hal Russell Story (ECM, 1992), an autobiographical exploration of the leader's life in music. Academy Award-Nominated actor Michael Shannon will perform the original texts delivered by Russell on the album for this one-time event. http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park3.html We will be there. Quote
king ubu Posted July 17, 2014 Report Posted July 17, 2014 Would love to be there --- even though I can't quite imagine anyone subbing for Russell. He's so spot-on on the album, it begs for silly phrases like "accept no substitute" ... anyway, where it around the block from me, I'd definitely attend! Quote
Leeway Posted July 18, 2014 Report Posted July 18, 2014 Very cool! Certainly a must-attend if one is anywhere near Chicago. Quote
Steve Reynolds Posted July 18, 2014 Report Posted July 18, 2014 If I was halfway to Chicago, I would be there. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted July 18, 2014 Report Posted July 18, 2014 As above, sorry to be nowhere near this. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted July 18, 2014 Author Report Posted July 18, 2014 Y'all notice Michael Shannon will be delivering Hal's words? Quote
B. Clugston Posted July 18, 2014 Report Posted July 18, 2014 Y'all notice Michael Shannon will be delivering Hal's words? He's a fine actor. Wonder how he got involved? Quote
uli Posted July 18, 2014 Report Posted July 18, 2014 I run into Brian Sandstrom earlier this week. He told me that they start rehearsing this week. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted August 4, 2014 Author Report Posted August 4, 2014 Here is a review - http://www.artsjournal.com/jazzbeyondjazz/2014/08/ferocious-memorial-to-good-humored-avant-gardist.html and an image: Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted August 4, 2014 Author Report Posted August 4, 2014 The recreation of the Hal Russell Story was amazing - better than I could imagine. All the guys played their asses off and Michael Shannon "was" Hal Russell. Quote
johnblitweiler Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Michael Shannon sounded like Hal and used a megaphone like Hal did, but I wish Kent Kessler's hilarious impression of Hal could have been heard. Everyone sounded great and it was the most fun I've had at a concert since the last NRG Ensemble Hal-oween concert I heard. Surely Hal was smiling down from heaven. Quote
Head Man Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Nice venue indeed! Wish I could have been there..........I'm green with envy Quote
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