Deep Focus

Mitch Goldman hosts drummer Will Calhoun for a Deep Focus on their mutual hero, Elvin Jones. Specifically, their focus is on the band Elvin had in the early ’80s with guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly. Although this band, as such, never made an album, with Bourelly’s utterly distinct approach to his instrument, it was perhaps the most groundbreaking ever led by Elvin in his long, storied career. Even more significant to this show, the experience of hearing this band in person had a profound and lasting impact on both Will and Mitch. Sparks will fly.

In a breathtaking act of discographical discovery, they will be playing never-before-broadcast recordings of this magnificent though little-known band. Oh, this is going to be fun!

Composer/bandleader Eric Person learned his craft from some of boldest who ever played the game.  Dave Holland was an influence, Chico Hamilton had a major impact but Ronald Shannon Jackson is the one who inspired Eric to lead a band playing compositions that Jackson wrote.  The work is unmistakeable– filled with history, mystery and suspense– and Eric will bring some astonishingly rare recordings to life.  

Many artists are admired but few are elevated to the status of icons. Eric Dolphy's rich yet austere tone, his thorny compositions and especially his daring solos, with their intervalic leaps and note choices so wrong they're perfect, set him apart from the crowd even now, over 50 years after his death. The urgency and absolute sincerity that he conveyed still set a standard that few artists achieve to their own satisfaction.

Jorge Sylvester is one of the great students of Dolphy's (Unlike the case of, say, Miles Davis or Sonny Rollins, I don't know anyone who is inclined to refer to him by his first name). Like Dolphy, he is a bandleader, a composer and a multi-reed master who goes his own way.