Jun 12, 2014
Bassist/Composer Michael Formanek will take up residency at The Cornelia Street Cafe for three nights, June 12-14, featuring three distinct and formidable ensembles:
Thursday, June 12, 8:30 & 10 PM - Michael Formanek's Elusion Trio featuring Kris Davis (See Podcast 419) (piano), Michael Formanek (bass) and Ches Smith (drums)
Friday, June 13th, 9 & 10:30 PM - The Michael Formanek Quartet Featuring Tim Berne (see Podcast 257) (alto Saxophone), Craig Taborn (see Podcast 345) (piano), Michael Formanek (bass) and Dan Weiss (drums). The Michael Formanek Quartet has, since 2010, received numerous accolades including consecutive Five Star reviews in DownBeat magazine for their ECM releases The Rub and Spare Change (2010) and Small Places (2012). The great drummer and composer, Dan Weiss will be joining the band for this special concert.
Saturday, June 14th, 9 & 10:30 PM - Michael Formanek's Resonator Sextet featuring Loren Stillman (alto & soprano saxophones), Andrew Bishop (tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute), Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Angelica Sanchez (piano), Michael Formanek (bass), Tyshawn Sorey (drums). The Resonator Sextet is an expanded version of Resonator that premiered at the Cornelia Street Cafe in August of 2013. This assortment of amazing musical personalities should provide the basis for a truly unique and engaging evening of music.
Formanek has been truly busy as of late. He’s been receiving strong notices for his work in the three piece co-op band Thumbscrew with Brooklyn guitarist Mary Halvorson and drummer Tomas Fujiwara. Their eponymous debut CD earned 4 ½ stars in Downbeat .
I spoke with Michael as he was leaving for the airport to join his fellow Thumbscrew-ers in Europe for a series of dates. We talked about the freedom that a three day residence brings to a jazz artist, the strength of his various collaborators, especially his long-time friend and collaborator Tim Berne, and his next recording projects, including a big band date. Podcast 431 is our conversation, including musical selections from the Formanek catalog, including:
The Michael Formanek Quartet - “Inside the Box“ from The Rub and Spare Change
The Michael Formanek Quartet - “Pong“ from Small Places
Tim Berne - "Scanners" from Snake Oil.
Thumbscrew -
"Falling Too Far" from
Thumbscrew.