New recordings

Two recordings that I've made contributions to have recently been released.

The first is James Falzone's recording of Steve Reich's multilayered clarinet work, New York Counterpoint, for which I contributed the bass clarinet parts. He's released it as a digital single on his Allos Documents label. You can hear some excerpts below:



The second is More or less, a recording of works by Swiss composer Jürg Frey performed by the members of a.pe.ri.od.ic. It will be released on New Focus Recordings on September 9.  We'll celebrate the release with a concert at Constellation on September 20, as part of the Chicago Wandelweiser Festival.  You can listen to an excerpt here.

 

The name by which the world knows them

Mythic Birds (an improvising group with fellow bass clarinetists Keefe Jackson and Jason Stein and electronicist Brian Labycz) has released our debut recording on Peira, The name by which the world knows them. It's available in CD or digital formats.

We'll be celebrating with a record release show at the Hideout on Wednesday, May 23 at 10pm.  The evening will open with a duo set by cellists Fred Lonberg-Holm and Tomeka Reid.  Peter Margasak was kind enough to review the CD as a preview for the show for the Chicago Reader:

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/fred-lonberg-holm-and-tomeka-reid-mythic-birds-jim-dorling-dj-set/Event?oid=6302825

May News

Some upcoming concerts I'm excited about:

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Sun, 5/6: Solo 

The Empty Bottle

1pm, FREE

I will play a solo set, then composer Michael Mroz presents some new chamber music

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Thu, 5/17: Duo with Jaimie Branch + joining Emil Strandberg, Brian Labycz, Fred Lonberg-Holm and Frank Rosaly 

Elastic Arts

9pm, donation suggested

Jaimie and I dust-off our duo project, then participate in some mixed groupings with Swedish trumpeter Emil Strandberg and esteemed locals.

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Sat 5/19: Charm Offensive (trio version) 

Heaven Gallery 

10pm, donation suggested

Here I present a trio version of my quartet music with Keefe Jackson and Jason Roebke. Marc Riordan opens with a solo piano set.

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Wed 5/23: Mythic Birds record release show

the Hideout

10pm, donation suggested

Mythic Birds (w/ Keefe Jackson, Brian Labycz & Jason Stein) celebrates the release of The name by which the world knows them on Peira.  Fred Lonberg-Holm and Tomeka Reid open.

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Fall News -- New Quartet CD

I'll be spending much of October in residence at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, in Florida, where I'll have the amazing opportunity to work with Roscoe Mitchell. I'm looking forward to having some time away from Chicago in warmer environs to work on some new music.  On the way down to the residency, I'll play a solo set in Columbia, SC at Conundrum Music Hall on October 9.

I'm also excited to announce the release of my quartet's debut recording, Charm Offensive, in November. The CD features Keefe Jackson on tenor sax, Devin Hoff on bass, and Marc Riordan on drums, performing five of my pieces and one of Marc's.

cover photo by Noah Vaughn

We'll be celebrating with a CD release show at the Hideout on November 9, though Jason Roebke and Frank Rosaly will be anchoring the rhythm section in place of Devin and Marc.

July News

Some news about some upcoming concerts. On Saturday July 9 at Heaven, I'll play duets with Fred Lonberg-Holm. On Friday the 22nd, I'll play duets with Keefe Jackson in celebration of Heaven Gallery's 11th Anniversary Party.

On Saturday the 23rd, in a departure from the music I ordinarily play, I will be performing a short set of late Renaissance viol music arranged for clarinets, with the amazing clarinetist Kurt Bjorling, at Cafe Mustache in Logan Square.

I've always had a deep love and appreciation for Early Music, though have struggled to find repertoire suited to my instrument and an appropriate ensemble to perform it with. However, for the past year and a half, Kurt and I, as well as a few other clarinetists, have gotten together several times a month to read through and rehearse music originally written for viols, which Kurt has adapted for clarinets. This will be our first public performance, featuring music by Thomas Lupo, Orlando Gibbons, Giovanni Coprario and others. Marc Riordan will open with a solo piano set, playing music by Scott Joplin.

In other news, I've been selected to be an Associate Artist at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in October, where I'll have the opportunity to work with Roscoe Mitchell. I'm honored to have been chosen, and look forward to working with one of my heroes.

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Saturday, July 9 - 10pm
Duo with Fred Lonberg-Holm @ Heaven Gallery

Friday, July 22 - 9pm

Duo with Keefe Jackson @ Heaven Gallery

Saturday, July 23 - 8pm
performing late Renaissance viol music arranged for clarinets, with Sophie Creutz - clarinet, and Kurt Bjorling - basset horn. Marc Riordan opens with music by Scott Joplin. @ Cafe Mustache