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| KEN VANDERMARK
If you're from Chicago you've undoubtedly heard of Ken Vandermark. Since his arrival in the Windy City in 1989, Ken has played tenor saxophone/clarinet in some of the most influential music groups of the decade including the NRG Ensemble (Delmark 485), DKV Trio, The Vandermark 5, and the Peter Brotzmann Chicago Tenet, just to name a few. Since that time Ken has released numerous records and is currently celebrating his second release on the Delmark label with his innovative group the Sound In Action Trio, entitled Design In Time(Delmark516). The group features Tim Mulvenna on percussion and the legendary percussionist Robert Barry, best known for his work with Sun Ra''s Arkestra not to mention Sonny Stitt, Von Freeman, Lin Halliday and Johnny Griffin.The Sound In Action Trio, provides a vehicle for expression unlike any other group that Ken has led. While the instrumentation gives him the harmonic freedom to stretch musically, the presence of Robert Barry adds an historical foundation to the music that can only be accomplished with a player of Barry's stature.Design In Time will undoubtedly become known as one of Ken Vandermark's greatest accomplishments to date. Born on September 22, 1964 in Rhode Island, Ken Vandermark was exposed to Jazz and Classical music at an early age. While growing up in Boston, Ken and his father went to nearly every jazz concert whether it be swing, be bop, or avante-garde. Ken started playing trumpet in the 4th grade, but upon hearing Joe McPhee's "Tenor" album he decided to switch to playing tenor saxophone at age 17. Ken attended McGill University in Montreal to study film, but upon graduating in 1996 he decided to pursue music full-time. Through his dedication, unyielding will, and endearing persona, Ken has succeeded in reviving the avant music scene, inspiring a younger generation to support jazz and avante music in Chicago and around the world. This year Ken's achievements were recognized on a national level when he received the prestigious MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant".
“...a bright, articulate, unflinchingly committed tenor saxophonist;
clarinetist, composer and bandleader whose presence has been a major defibrillator for the
city since he “One of the most talked about jazz musicians to emerge in Chicago “Vandermark's sound embraces honking R&B, lyrically swinging pre-
and post-bop, “the hardest working man on the Windy City's free-jazz scene.”
LINKS
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