MARK DRESSER QUARTET - NOURISHMENTS

A singularly accomplished bass innovator in the fields of jazz, free improvisation and new music, Mark Dresser has devoted himself in recent years to pushing the capacities of solo bass performance even further. In "Nourishments," his first quintet recording in almost two decades, he shifts his attention back to another longtime creative commitment, ensemble exploration with a team of master improvisers possessing unmistakable sounds.

Featuring Rudresh Mahanthappa, Michael Dessen, Denman Maroney, and, in turns, Tom Rainey or Michael Sarin--all leaders in their own right and players deeply versed in Dresser's music--the quintet delves headlong into his richly suggestive compositions. More than anything, Dresser creates vehicles for beautifully modulated interaction via counterpoint, cyclical organization, timbre sculpting, and all the unexpected combinations of pitch and noise or meter and texture. He developed several pieces with trombonist Michael Dessen while they were in different cities through telematics, fiber optic-facilitated remote performances that have opened up new astounding new possibilities for international collaborations.

By whatever means, "Nourishments" is the work of artists who connect musically, emotionally and intellectually with unusual power and grace.

Below is a schedule of Dresser's tour dates with his East and West Coast quintets as well as in solo and other performances. One highlight is the November 9 performance at the Umbrella Festival in Chicago, during which Dresser will perform in a collective with Roswell Rudd and Bobby Bradford, the latter two performing together for the first time.

o Tues. Sept. 3 - Mark Dresser Solo - Le Poisson Rouge, NY, NY
o Thurs. Sept. 5 - Mark Dresser Solo - 61 Local, Brooklyn, NY
o Thurs. Sept 12 - Mark Dresser Solo - Greenwich House, NY, NY
o Fri. Sept 13 - Mark Dresser's East Coast Quintet - Cornelia Street Café, NY, NY
Featuring Marty Ehrlich, reeds; Michael Dessen, trombone; Denman Maroney, piano; Michael Sarin, drums;
Mark Dresser, bass and compositions.
o Fri. Oct. 4 - with Nicole Mitchell's Ensemble - Angel City Jazz Festival, LA, CA
o Wed. Oct. 23 - Mark Dresser West Coast Quintet - Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA
Featuring Ben Schacter, tenor sax; Michael Dessen, trombone; Joshua White, piano; Kjell Nordeson, drums; Mark Dresser, bass and compositions.
o Thurs. Oct. 24 - Mark Dresser's West Coast Quintet - Blue Whale, LA, CA
Same personnel as Oct. 23.
o Fri. Oct. 25 - Mark Dresser's West Coast Quintet - Dizzy's, San Diego, CA
Same personnel as Oct. 23.
o Sat. Nov. 9 - Mark Dresser, Roswell Rudd, Bobby Bradford - Umbrella Festival, Chicago, IL
Collective concert featuring three of the great improvisers of our time: Mark Dresser, Roswell Rudd and Bobby Bradford.
o December 13 - Mark Dresser's East Coast Quintet - Firehouse 12 - New Haven, CT
Featuring Rudresh Mahanthappa, reeds; Michael Dessen, trombone; Denman Maroney, piano; Michael Sarin, drums; Mark Dresser, bass and compositions.