School Days – In Our Times

Musicians

Ken Vandermark reeds

Jeb Bishop trombone

Kjell Nordeson vibraphone

Ingebrigt Hker-Flaten bass

Paal Nilssen-Love drums

Cover and Artwork

Cover photo: Joel Wanek
Graphic design: Louise E. Molnar

Songs

1. Another Double (Vandermark/ASCAP) [for Hvard Wiik] (8:26)

2. Off the Top (Vandermark/ASCAP) [for Larry Young] (9:39)

3. What About (Vandermark/ASCAP) [for Bobby Hutcherson] (9:17)

4. Shift (Vandermark/ASCAP) [for Miles Davis] (11:54)

5. Octopus (Bishop/BMI) (8:00)

6. Loose Blues (Bill Evans/Folkways/BMI) (8:13)

7. Elephantasy (Don Cherry/Eternal Music/BMI) (7:22)

Total Time: 62:50

Recording Info

Produced by: School Days
Executive producer: Bruno Johnson
Recorded: live in performance at Bl in Oslo, Norway on November 24th26th, 2001
Mixed: on February 10th, 2002 by Thomas Hukkelberg

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Martin Revheim and staff at Bl.

Modern jazz for the millennium — what else can you term it? Hard-hitting, filled with joy, and yet somehow unpretentious, School Days produces sounds splendidly and even magnificently. Vandermark and Bishop are both in top form for this concert recorded live in Norway. Has School Days ever recorded anything less than exciting? By the time of this recording, the group was so tight, so well-prepared, and so immersed in a tradition of free jazz that all the pieces sound logically self-evident which of course none really are. Jeb Bishops trombone is more upfront and in-your-face than on previous recordings by the group, and he shows a more confident and aggressive side than is customary: He growls and cajoles, his exposed (though clearly well-practiced) sound rough and raw. His raunchy punches transcend the moment with a secretive view toward the future, while Vandermark (who is also in tiptop shape) appears relieved to share the responsibilities of leadership. The real sleeper is vibraphonist Kjell Nordeson, who infuses his instrument with invigorating structures. At its heart, School Days is about melody and its ability to stretch and bend, which it does here with uncanny regularity. The roots go back to Ornette Coleman an obvious influence but School Days takes them to another dimension with a more varied palette and a more diverse instrumentation, not to mention some extraordinary writing and soloing. For those who enjoy Jeb Bishops talking trombone or Ken Vandermarks offbeat saxes, this one just cant be beat. Even among the remarkable discography of School Days and of Ken Vandermark, it stands out as a prime release.

Steven Loewy, All Music Guide