Jazz: The Second Century Series
OWCHARUK 5
July 22, 2010
Chapel Performance Space
Good Shepherd Center
Michael Owcharuk leads his spirited quintet in tunes that, as much as yak milk or those funny furry hats, is redolent with the Cossack camps of the steppes and the sodden plains of the Ukraine, but all steeped in the Western aesthetics of Latin jazz, blues, punk rock, and more.
With a fearsome swagger and swing, the Owcharuk 5 formed in 2007 and just released the album Kobzar.
Owcharuk performs on accordion and piano, as well as vocals. He also directs the Seattle Jazz Composer’s Ensemble; performs with Le Trio, The Distract Band, and other ensembles, and accompanies ballet classes. He has released three albums of original work.
Joining him on clarinet and highly idiosyncratic vocals is Beth Fleenor, leader of the group Figeater, and member of Double Yoko, Bling, and Chick Influenza. On trumpet, Jim Knodle, a veteran of many Seattle bands, plays with the kind of command that has made him a valued collaborator for the likes of Perry Robinson, Vinnie Goila, and Michael Vlatkovich, among many others. Bassist Nate Omdal co-directs the Seattle Jazz Composer’s Ensemble, is a founding member of Soul Kata, and performs with MC Spekulation, the Jay Thomas Big Band, and Ronin. Drummer Cody Rahn is a founding member of War Pigeon, works as a sideman, and has been session musician at Studio X, Bear Creek, and Ironwood.
No comments:
Post a Comment