DESCRIPTION:
Jerome Harris (acoustic bass) Bobby Previte (drums)
Recorded live at the Knitting Factory Old Office, New York, New York from December 9-12, 1999.
After a seven-year recording hiatus, Ehrlich's Travelers Tale quartet revives the spirit of that band with new material and a couple of older faves. Fellow saxophonist Tony Malaby, electric bass guitarist Jerome Harris, and drummer Bobby Previte are in the fold for these highlights of a four-day club date at the Knitting Factory/NYC. Except for the Julius Hemphill post-bop cartoonish, off-kilter harmonic line "Pigskin" with Harris's two-note bass and Bob Dylan's pop ballad alto feature for the leader "Tears of Rage," this is a program of Ehrlich's original, modern creative music. A boppish paeon to Ornette Coleman "Rhymes" kicks off the date, with the two saxes separate and equal. "Story" lines from the soprano (Ehrlich)/tenor (Malaby) front lines with an ostinato bass groove weave through the intricate title track for Malinke Elliott, spaced alto and soprano unison lines swim in funky or swinging marinade during a recapitulation of "North Star," while Ehrlich's signature pungent alto leads Malaby's agreeable tenor in the free, open terrain, traded extended lines of "Line on Love." Based on the changes of "I Remember You" is "Bright Remembered," a solo alto line building with bass, then drums popping and swinging on snare as Malaby decides to go for it as well. Ehrlich's most memorable writing is heard on "The Cry Of," as churning hand drums with ostinato bass in measures of repeated five's and four's extend an invitation to Ehrlich's flute and Malaby's tenor in a mysterious Middle Eastern feel, a rather calmed swirling dervish. The familiar but modified "Willy Whippoorwill" tacks on "Steals a Bow," merging from visceral funk to free bridge squawking, a 6/8 counterpoint section, 4/4 unison, and a reggae feel. Ehrlich continues to assert himself as a premier purveyor of current-day jazz, and this is another clear example of his high status in this modern age. Recommended.
~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
Originally from Tucson, Arizona ,Tony Malaby has been permanently based in New York since 1995 and has been a member of many notable jazz groups including Charlie Hadens Liberation Orchestra, Paul Motian's Electric Bebop Band, Mark Helias' Open Loose, Fred Hersch's quintet and Walt Whitman project, Michell Portal's Birdwatcher, various projects with Daniel Humair and bands led by Mario Pavone, Tim Berne, Chris Lightcap, Kris Davis, Angelica Sanchez, Michael Attias and Marty Ehrlich.

His debut cd "Sabino"(Arabesque) made the NY Times and Philadelphia City Paper's top ten jazz lists for 2000. He has a brand new release: "Tamarindo" with bassist William Parker and Nasheet Waits on drums. It is available on the Clean Feed label. His other releases include: "Adobe" available on Sunnyside in the US, featuring Drew Gress and Paul Motian; Apparitions" on the Songlines label featuring Tom Rainey, Mike Sarin, and Drew Gress; and "Alive in Brooklyn Vol. 1 and 2" featuring Angelica Sanchez and Tom Rainey.

Tony leads several projects of his own including: APPARITIONS featuring: Drew Gress, Tom Rainey and Mike Sarin. The Tony Malaby CELLO TRIO, featuring Chicago cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm and percussionist John Hollenbeck. The quartet PALOMA RECIO(Loud Dove) with Ben Monder, Eivind Opsvik and Nashhet Waits. The trio TAMARINDO featuring bassist William Parker and Nasheet Waits on drums. Tony co-leads the Malaby Sanchez Rainey Trio.
; 55 Bar, Ari Hoenig, Avishai Cohen, Ben Monder, Ben Street, Bill McHenry, Birdland, Brad Shepik, brooklyn jazz, David Binney, Douglas Bradford, Drew Gress, Eesti Maja, Fat Cat, Gary Wang, jam session, Jason Lindner, Jazz Gallery, Jazz Standard, John Beaty, John Ellis, John Escreet, Kristjan Randalu, Mark Ferber, Mark Guiliana, Mark Guiliana's Thing, Mike Moreno, Mike Severson, Nasheet Waits, Nick Anderson, Nir Felder, no cover, Park Slope, Prospect Park, Rose, Rose Live Music, Smalls, Solo Kitchen Bar, Spike Hill, tasuta joogid, Tea Lounge, the Stone, Tim Collins, Village Vanguard, Williamsburg.