Cuong Vu and 9th + Lincoln @ Dazzle

Had the pleasure of seeing a very cool show here last night. Vu (Pat Metheny, Laurie Anderson, David Bowie and others) is working with Tyler Gilmore and the 9th + Lincoln jazz orchestra. They did three shows and are recording a CD at a separate studio this week.

Gilmore composed four new pieces for these shows with Vu that incorporate popular melodies from the '30s and '40s but with a modern spin. Gilmore in Westword: "Its going to be a sound combining these standard melodies with my electronic and chamber music influences along with some very Cuong Vu-ish moments. It will be a departure for the band toward a more textural and dynamic sound."

Imagine Vu's electronic trumpet pallet playing with a modern age, experimental big band who at times aren't afraid to go a bit abstract with their sound. It was very inspiring! Tears were brought to my eyes a couple times. Really. (OK, a couple yummy vodka martinis may have helped). They closed the show playing one of Vu's original pieces but arranged for the big band. Gilmore described Vu's trio recordings as some of his favorite music on the planet. Nice to see more fans around here.

For more 9th + Lincoln info and sound samples click here for MySpace

I have a set of photos up HERE.



I got Vu's autograph on the show poster too. Yay! Nice guy!



Really looking forward to hearing this CD!

Moonspeed 12-5-09 @ Larimer Lounge

Really neat to see a project such as this coming out of the Denver indie-music scene. They are an indie rock symphony, so to speak, in that each member performs the parts as written by frontman Jeff Suthers. Nine of their eleven members were on stage, in sit down fashion, to perform their debut CD "Flowers Of the Moon" in it's entirety, plus one "new" track. I have a collection of PICS most of which were taken while holding the camera over my head because the room was so packed so some aren't the most stellar in quality. Good to see such a great turnout! The band did a great set. Looking forward to more from this ensemble. Check out their MySpace for more info.

There's also a YouTube Video: