24 July 2010

Day 2 of Okka Fest begins with a full rehearsal with Topology, adding
Joe McPhee to the ensemble. Things sound really good, Joe making
helpful suggestions about the phrasing of the melodies, and I make some
last adjustments to the arrangements, getting help from the band as
well with ideas. Afterwards I catch Joe McPhee with Kent Kessler and Michael Zergang at the Palm Tavern.
Originally it was to be that rhythm Antibiotics section with Fred Anderson, but Joe
filled in since Fred passed. It was a beautiful concert, Joe playing my
tenor (Continental smashed the octave mechanism on Joe’s horn enroute
to Milwaukee…), incredible and incredible music! In the evening it
was back to the Sugar Maple for the Engines (Bishop, Rempis, McBride,
Daisy) and Guts (Brotzmann, McPhee, Kessler, Zerang); both sets were
powerful examples of the new music. Cootie Williams birthday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S6Pt4FqKLU