Yoshie Fruchter’s Pitom Releases Blasphemy and Other Serious Crimes

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Grunge, Guitar, Jazz, John Zorn, Noise-Rock, Yoshie Fruchter

Second Album on John Zorn’s Tzadik Records – February 2011

“This [is] a fiery and soulful CD that you will listen to again and again. Intense new Jewish music from this exciting quartet of young rebels. – John Zorn

Yoshie Fruchter - Blasphemy and Other Serious Crimes

Coming off a critically acclaimed and highly successful debut on Tzadik records, Pitom continues to evolve the unique brand of music they call “punkassjewjazz” with Blasphemy and Other Serious Crimes, their second release for Tzadik. Composed by bandleader and guitarist Yoshie Fruchter as a sonic homage to the Jewish day of repentance, Yom Kippur, the music is an intense exploration of the mental and spiritual intensity associated with this holiday.

“On ‘Pitom’ (Tzadik), guitarist Yoshie Fruchter mixes grunge, jazz, Zappa, noise-rock and a dollop of surf music with Jewish modes and scales to create a loud, raucous album full of noise and virtuosityŠ A dazzling debut.” – Jim Fusilli, Wall Street Journal

Produced by Pitom bassist and virtuoso noisemaker Shanir Blumenkranz, Blasphemy takes the band into a deeper, darker and heavier territory – showcasing their penchant for gut-wrenching grooves, while never letting go of their catchy melodic phrasing. Like the Melvins, Nirvana and other bands of the late eighties/early ninteties punk/grunge era, this record is somber and full of angst, but with an underlying stream of wistfulness and humor.

PDX Jazz Supports Jazz Films

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Concord Music Group, Jazz, John Zorn, Vince Guaraldi

PDX Jazz, the presenting organization of the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by U.S. Bank, is proud to announce the screening of four jazz documentaries in the coming weeks:

· The Anatomy Of Vince Guaraldi via the 28th REEL MUSIC FESTIVAL (presented by the Northwest Film Center)

· Two Sides of John Zorn’s Masada presented by the Oregon Jewish Museum, featuring two films: Electric Masada and Masada String Trio

· Icons Among Us: jazz in the present tense via the 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by US Bank

See below for more information on all films, screening dates/details, etc.

Masada Quartet feat: Joe Lovano -][- Book Of Angels: Stolas Vol. 12

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Dave Douglas, Jazz, Joe Lovano, John Zorn, Masada Quartet

Masada Quintet - Book of Angels - Stolas Vol12

Masada Quartet feat: Joe Lovano -][- Book Of Angels: Stolas Vol-12 – [Tzadik, 2009]

Stolas: The Book of Angels, Vol. 12 is the newest installment in John Zorn’s ongoing Book of Angels series, and possibly the best yet. For most Zorn fans, I would imagine that this part of the series would be particularly exciting, as it features the studio return of the Masada Quartet (Zorn on alto sax, Dave Douglas on trumpet, Greg Cohen on bass, and the great Joey Baron on drums), with some augmentations; Joe Lovano on tenor sax replaces Zorn and pianist Uri Caine is added. Despite the relative change in the lineup, the Masada Quintet plays with all the tightness, taste and musical intuition of a band together for years. Lovano adds a more round, even tone, and isn’t as aggressive or abrasive in his playing as Zorn (although he is capable of some fire). This makes for a more relaxed, evenly-tempered Masada. Uri Caine’s piano adds a lot of harmonic flavor without limiting the players, and adds some interesting solos like the Cecil Taylor-like one on “Sartael”.

The pieces, all by Zorn, feature memorable themes, fun grooves, and plenty of space for both the individual and the ensemble to shine, as well as some entertaining, interactive out playing, although nothing really on the level of the fiery, intimidating previous Masada quartet releases. (The only things that come close are “Sartael”, a speedy, energetic blowing session driven by Baron’s forceful drumming, and “Rahtiel”, the only piece that features Zorn on alto.) Cohen and Baron are a world-class rhythm section as always, adding plenty of propulsive force, groove, and melodic color. This is a worthy addition to the Masada catalog and a rewarding listen. —Art Johnson | Amazon.com

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..