Bloodcount

Artist Description

Alto/baritone saxophonist Tim Berne has been at the centre of the New York downtown scene for over twenty years, defining the cutting edge of jazz in the city. He formed the group Bloodcount in 1992 along with drummer Jim Black, bassist Michael Formanek and tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Chris Speed. The foursome's high level of musical empathy was characteristic of the best long-term working ensembles. Bloodcount has served as an outlet for Berne's interest in extended-form pieces blending composed and improvised passages. His compositions for Bloodcount -- some of which are in the 40- to 50-minute range -- indeed have remarkable continuity and maintain an almost cinematic, narrative flow. The listener is taken on a wide-ranging ride through Berne's idiosyncratic melange of post-jazz, chamber music, funk, rock, and creative improvisation.

This concert at Joe's Pub will be their first public performance since 1998 and kicks off a 5-concert tour of the east coast. The band will be premiering all new compositions written by Tim especially for this occasion.