Aug 11 2012
Mostly I’m Just Irritated: Todd Sickafoose at the Iowa City Jazz Festival
So, I haven’t exactly hid the fact that I believe Todd Sickafoose‘s 2008 release Tiny Resistors is, in my opinion, one of those albums that signals a leap forward in Jazz music. I wrote a few things about the album on Bird is the Worm, in case you’re interested (and you should be). In short, the album perfectly illustrates the growing influence of modern rock-pop music (often called Indie Music) on modern Jazz, and no album does a better job representing it in terms of an outstanding listening experience.
Well, anyways, much to my bitter disappointment, there has been no follow-up album to Tiny Resistors, yet, and furthermore, I have yet had the opportunity to see the ensemble play live. So when I saw this video of Todd Sickafoose’s Tiny Resistors ensemble performing live at the Iowa City Jazz Fest, I could help but think, hey, screw Iowa, buddy. Get in the damn studio and give me a new album. And if you can’t do that much for me, then make a left turn at Chicago and get down to Louisville so I can see your ensemble live.
Yeah, fine, whatever, I sound shallow and selfish and petulant. I don’t care. I want what I want, and if being the lesser, smaller person gets me that, then so be it.
Anyways, here’s that video.
It’s a stripped down version of the ensemble that performs on the album. As best as I can tell from looking at it, that’s definitely Allison Miller on drums (she has some great jazz under her own name, too), Erik Deutsch on keys (he’s got some print on this site in a few places), Todd Sickafoose, obviously, on bass, and I’m pretty sure that’s Steve Cardenas on guitar. And after some poking around the internet, it turns out it’s Ara Anderson on trumpet, who is a member of the Tin Hat Trio. Coincidentally, I’ll be reviewing Tin Hat Trio as part of an article that highlights some of my favorite albums that fuse Jazz and Folk, as well as straight Folk recordings by Jazz musicians.
State of Iowa, I don’t even know what to say to you. “Lucky bastards,” I suppose.
Drew Williams
August 14, 2012 @ 8:13 pm
I think he recorded a new album late last year!
davesumner
August 14, 2012 @ 9:57 pm
Are you telling me that there is a new Tiny Resistors ensemble album that is going to be released soon? I hope hope hope that’s what you mean, because I’m pretty sure that Tiny Resistors is the last he recorded with that group. Todd has definitely been a part of other musicians’ albums since then.
In any event, thanks for dropping by the site, Drew. If, however, you are, in fact, the first person to give me a heads-up on a forthcoming Sickafoose’s Tiny Resistors album, then you just became my favorite site visitor of all time.
Cheers.
Drew Williams
August 15, 2012 @ 12:17 am
I study with Alan Ferber and he told me about recording some overdubs on a new Todd Sickafoose record around 6 months ago. My timeline could be a little off. That’s all the information I have though! Hopefully it comes out soon!
davesumner
August 15, 2012 @ 10:44 am
That is awesome news! Hopefully it means a new one is on the way.
P.S. Thanks for the Ferber mention. I have his name on one of my many lists of artists/albums to further investigate, and your post reminded me of his Chamber Songs album. I’ve got that playing right now, and intend to get a review typed up quick. I had forgotten about that album, but listening to it now, I remember why I put it on one of my Save For Later lists. It’s really good.
Cheers.
Jim Viner
October 26, 2012 @ 3:34 pm
Hi Dave –
Jim Viner here. I’m the stage manager for the Iowa City Jazz Festival. Cool post!
There is a jazz station in Cedar Rapids Iowa – KCCK-FM – that records the entire jazz fest every year. Here’s a link to interviews with last year’s acts: http://www.kcck.org/?s=JazzFest
I don’t know when they run the actual music from the fest on-air. You may have to email someone at the station to find that out…
The Iowa City Jazz Fest has some pretty remarkable acts yearly….and it’s free….
davesumner
October 26, 2012 @ 5:04 pm
I hope people around there realize how awesome you are for getting Sickafoose’s outfit to perform at the festival.
Thanks for stopping by to say hello.
Cheers.
davesumner
October 26, 2012 @ 5:14 pm
P.S. I added a link to your festival site. If it’s the wrong one, let me know and I’ll change it to wherever it should lead.