PROJECT BLUEBIRD

[Ya Sam]

Keeping a band alive from different towns has become easier. But spanning 
that divide is more difficult when the music is composition-based jazz—with 
flourishes of improvisation—and the element of sitting next to your 
colleagues is essential. PROJECT BLUEBIRD, a new group playing at KINGS on 
Wednesday, Nov. 29, is such a unique beast. The band is a Charlotte-Triangle 
collaboration with Brent Bagwell (reeds) and Ben Kennedy (cello, violin) of 
Pyramid, Ron Brendle on double bass, Carrie Shull of pulsoptional (oboe), 
and reeds by ubiquitous local improviser Crowmeat Bob. Bob says they 
rehearse in Charlotte but send charts of pieces by e-mail with notes on 
staffs where improvisation occurs; each player composes pieces. He likens it 
to serial music, with one piece by Brendle adhering to that form's 12-tone 
principle. "It's chamber oriented, and ends up kind of floating since 
there's no drummer," he says. "It's also energetic in different parts."

As for the group's mysterious name—taken from a secret term for a CIA 
mind-control program using LSD—he says it was Bagwell's idea, but one to 
which we can all relate these days. "He's into Pynchon, so there's the 
general idea of paranoia." —Chris Toenes

http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A40481

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! 
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/