Pete Robbins’s Unnamed Quartet | Live in Brooklyn | Not Two Records

Not Two, 2011 | MW 845-2 | CD

Pete Robbins – alto saxophon | Nate Wooley – trumpet | Daniel Levin – cello | Jeff Davis – drums

All tracks © Pete Robbins (Hate Laugh Music, BM1), Note Wooley (Fouiwordseamusic, BMI), Daniel Levin (Black Bear Industries, ASCAP), Jeff Davis (Punch Proof Music (BMI) – 2010 Recorded April 27, 2009 at Bar 4 (Brooklyn, NY).

Recorded by Barry Komitor. Mixed and mastered by Max Ross at Systems Two Studios (Brooklyn, NY) Front graphics by Rick Caruso. Photos by: Tomas Ramon (Pete Robbins} / Bryan Murray (Jeff Davis); Luciano Rossetti (Daniel Levin) / Peter Gannushkin (Note Wooley)

Tracklist: 1. Improvisation 1 [08:34] 2. Improvisation 2 [09:31] 3. Improvisation 3 [13:15] 4. Improvisation 4 [11:21] 5. Improvisation 5 [07:23]

Pete Robbins

The experience of playing

completely improvised music can completely run the gamut. When the performance isn’t working Ifor reasons that are only somewhat predictable), there are few situations that are more uncomfortable and less enjoyable. But when the music really IS working, ifs a feeling of privilege and of pleasure that can otherwise be hard to come by.

Particularly in New York, musical collaborations come and go all the time, and often their longevity or the frequency with which they showcase their work don’t necessarily correspond to how compelling the music might be. The group heard on this recording had only performed a handful of times (and only in front of a handful of people) when this concert was documented. But the fact that I felt moved to have this gig recorded is testament to the special nature of this lineup of musicians. It is truly rare to stumble upon a group where each of us can be so comfortable being both active and re-active, primary and complementary. This is a function of the respect that each of us has for one another as creative agents, sponges for sonic information, and partners in crime. I hope the music is as enjoyable to listen to as it was to create.— Pete Robbins

Pete Robbins

grew up in Andover, Massachusetts (outside of Boston). He started playing piano at age 6, clarinet at 9, guitar at 11, and alto sax at 12. He’d listen to Miles, Bird, and Dexter with his dad; he’d check out Yes, Living Colour, and Tower of Power with his friends. Robbins moved to Brooklyn in 2002 after attending Phillips Academy (Andover), Tufts University, and New England Conservatory, where he studied with Paul Bley, George Garzone, John McNeil, Allan Chase, George Russell, and others.

He has since performed or recorded with John Zorn, Mark Dresser, Craig Taborn, Ben Monder, Mario Pavone, Kenny Wollesen, and countless others, and has performed at festivals and clubs in nine different countries.

Robbins’ leads “an ambitious ensemble that combines spacious avant-gardism with the melodic punch of rock” (New York Times), and has been called a “style master” (AllAboutJazz.com), “fiercely creative” (Time Out New York), and “a real force” in jazz (pianist Paul Bley). His studio releases “Waits and Measures” (Playscape) and “Do The Hate Laugh Shimmy” (Fresh Sound/New Talent) were both named as top-10 jazz releases in 2006 and 2008, respectively; Robbins’s fourth album as a bandleader will be released on May 25, 2010 on his own Hate Laugh Music label.

Robbins has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, JazzTimes, JazzWise, Jazzman, and National Public Radio. For his compositional achievements, Chamber Music America recently awarded Robbins with their prestigious “New Works: Creation and Presentation” grant as well as their “New Works: Encore” award on behalf of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Robbins was also a 2009 guest adjudicator for the Brooklyn Arts Council regrant program.

Jeff Davis

Daniel Levin

Nate Wooley

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