I thought this would make a good poll; in general, what do you feel about the music of Ken Vandermark, considering that he was given the MacArthur grant.

I'd say somewhere inbetween the first and second option.

For the Ken Vandermark fans.

A new 12 cd box set of live recordings from the Vandermark 5.

It's being released by a Polish label. I emailed them on the price and with shipping to the U.S., the price is $129.99, which for that many cd's and shipping from Poland is actually not bad. Although, I am going to wait a bit and see if any of my favorite U.S. sites offer it at a better price.




http://www.nottwo.com/PelnaPlyta.php?Id=296


Their email address for those in different countries, that want to find out shipping costs.

nottwo@nottwo.com


I wonder why this wasn't released on the usual Vandermark related labels like Atavistic or Okka Disk. I will have to check, but I am 98% sure that all the previous V5 releases were on Atavistic.

Has the guy Dutch, Flemish or German origins maybe?

He was born in the U.S. However, I know the name Vandermark is of Dutch orgin.



Checking his tour schedule, he is actually in the same Polish city of Cracow today for another 3 day performance, on the one year anniversary of the box set recordings. He is even performing in the same place Alchemia, which is also the title of the box set.


I wonder if it is some sort of yearly festival in Poland. He generally tours in Europe when not in Chicago. That is not unusual in the Jazz/avant/free world. The musicians usually tour in Europe and a few place in the U.S. in the East Coast. Every so often they will go to the West Coast. They generally don't go past Texas too often. If they do go out West it is usually the Northeast, which makes it possible for them to also go to Vancouver.

The only unusual thing in all of this is that it isn't being released on his usual labels. If it is a festival, it could be like the Victo fest in Canada, which puts out releases of some their live performances.


http://www.kenvandermark.com/

It sounds Dutch indeed, although I haven't heard that name myself...

Aren't you in Sweden now? He is playing in Malmo, Sweden for a doublebill on April 2nd, with Atomic. Vandermark's other group School Days' recording with Atomic, which came out last year was killer.

http://www.okkadisk.com/releases/od12049.html

I am, but Malmö isn't quite nearby and I don't know anything by this guy...

I think his site has live recordings you can listen to. He has so many bands/projects there should be something downloadable online.

Living in chicago, it's nice to be able to see Vandermark a good amount with dozens of
groups, alot of testrun outfits live, and easy to find his discs around town. I have the
feeling now, being that i've heard him many many times, that he has found his niche and
keeps doing it, like many jazzcats. Some would say that his sax sound is limited to the
thick, gruff and squeling tumultuous-->>minimal->crazy again freething, and nothing more,
but groups such as Spaceways Inc (Drake, McBride) bring it back home for me (sun ra and
parliament covers). His groups cover a wide spectrum of subniches around experimental,
freejazz...and honesly, jazz needs someone like him currently, a flamebearer of 60's-70's
era classic free-sound. and I'd rather it be Vandermark to receive the McCarthy award than
say...Mark Whitfield, Josh Redman, Brad Mehldau. I love jean michelle pilc, but i don't think
he'd do a 1/3 as much as the hardworking Vandermark. so Ken...props and respekt!