Live at the Noe Valley Ministry [Live]

About the Artist
Pianist Joel Futterman is recognized internationally as one of the foremost pioneers in the musical genre of free jazz and collective improvisation. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Futterman resides now in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He began studying classical piano at an early age and grew up playing bebop in Chicago’s after hour jazz clubs as a teenager. Joel quickly migrated to freer and less structured forms of musical expression. He owes a musical debt to such early piano innovators as Cecil Taylor, Keith Jarrett, and Andrew Hill. However, he stamps his own unique personality to his music by combining adventurous voicings, impassioned energy, and spectacular technique. His masterful technique is the product of a practice regiment of 8-10 hours a day on the piano. But for Joel, technique is invisible. It is only the means for total expression unencumbered by physical limitations.

Describing his approach to improvising, Futterman has said he anticipates only one or two phrases ahead of what is he is playing---the third phrase becomes clear only as he begins his second phrase. His improvisations unfold unpredictably, yet are guided by a strong sense of purpose and coherence. His piano style relies on his uniquely developed technique of rapid overlays and looping hand cross-over techniques such that a first time listener to his recordings might think that multi-track recording was used. In recent years, he has introduced a new dimension to his music when he leaves the piano to pick up the curved soprano saxophone or Indian wooden flute.

Joel has performed around the world with many jazz greats including Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Jimmy Garrsion, Jimmy Lyons, Joseph Jarman, Richard Davis, Edward "Kidd" Jordan, William Parker, Hal Russell, Fred Anderson, Al Fielder, and Hamiett Bluitt. He has amassed a discography of over 30 recordings.

Representative Recent Concerts & Performances Tampere Music Festival, Finland Visions Music Festival, New York Berlin Jazztage Festival, Berlin, Germany New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Music Festival, New Orleans, LA Nickelsdorf Jazz Festival, Nickelsdorf, Germany North Sea Jazz Fest, Netherlands Chicago Underground Jazz Festival, Chicago, IL

Sample Discography 2001 The Present Gift, The Joel Futterman/Ike Levin Duo, IML 26-003, 2001 Paul Murphy-Joel Futterman Quartet, Kali Records 0111, 2000 InterView, The Joel Futterman/Ike Levin Trio with Randall Hunt, IML 26-00, 2000 Alabama, Greg Foster and Joel Futterman, Shipwreck, GFJ010, 1999 Authenticity, Joel Futterman, William Parker, and Jimmy Williams, Kali, 0109 1999 Relativity, Joel Futterman and Jimmy Williams, Kali, 0110 1999 Revelation, Joel Futterman and Kidd Jordan, Kali, 0108 1998 Southern Extreme, Joel Futterman & Kidd Jordan, Drimala, 98-001 1997 New Orleans Rising, Joel Futterman-Kidd Jordan with Alvin Fielder, Drimala, 98-0107 1996 Nickelsdorf Konfrontation, Futterman/Jordan Quintet, Silkheart 143 1995 Silhouettes, Joel Futterman, Progressive, PCD-7096 1994 Naked Colours, Joel Futterman Quartet with Hal Russell, Silkheart 135 1992 To The Edge, Joel Futterman, Raphe Malik, & Robert Adkins, Ear-Rational, ECD 1028 1990 Moments, Joel Futterman Quartet with Jimmy Lyons, Ear-Rational Records 1024 1990 Inner Conversations. Joel Futterman Trio with Jimmy Lyons, Ear-Rational Records 1019 1988 Vision in Time, Joel Futterman Quartet with Joseph Jarman, Silkheart 125

Representative Media Coverage "Pianist Futterman is insightful, blending many styles to create an aura which transcends pinpointing…" Fred Jung, Jazz USA

"Intellect…connects with the feelings and desire… In full communication with himself." Nat Hentoff, Village Voice

"Futterman invents both aesthetic and composition, his work is entirely his own. His artistry is a symphony of brilliance." Canadian Broadcasting Company

The beauty of Futterman’s approach is that his technique is always contained within the music, serving as a conduit for the development of ideas, not

Product Description
IML Records proudly announces the release of Live at the Noe Valley Ministry, The Joel Futterman/Ike Levin Trio with Kash Killion. This follow up to the Trio's release last year of their CD LifeLine is a jam packed 75 minutes plus that captures the passion and kinetic energy of their concert performance last summer in San Francisco at the intimate, acoustically warm and vibrant Noe Valley Presbyterian Church. Hard driving, high voltage charged pieces combine with meditative melodic inventiveness to form a compelling, electrifying, and imaginative performance. These two challenging sets meld the improvisational talents of three virtuoso musicians who display an uncanny sense of connection as they create a series of spontaneous compositions that develop in unpredictable directions while maintaining cohesiveness of sound and purpose.

Live at the Noe Valley Ministry,Joel Futterman & Ile Levin,IML Records,Free Jazz,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Rock Music: