I realize I have been rather negligent with resuming these profiles of the musicians who contributed to the recording of Infernal Machines. To be honest I have been so involved with mixing the record that there has been time for little else. But today we return with a focus on the Society's most recently inducted co-conspirator, Laurie Frink.
Laurie is new to this band but she is hardly a neophyte. She has been a freelance trumpet player in New York City since the 1970’s. She has performed and recorded with an amazing array of musicians: Benny Goodman, Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis, Bob Mintzer, John Hollenbeck, Dave Liebman, Andrew Hill, and Kenny Wheeler, and of course she is a regular member of the Maria Schneider Orchestra. In addition to her active private studio, she is a member of the faculties of New York University, New School University and the Manhattan School of Music. She and (frequent Pulse collaborator) John McNeil co-authored FLEXUS --Trumpet Calisthenics for the Modern Improvisor, and she is well known for her insightful ability to solve physical difficulties experienced by many brass players.
It would be hard to overstate Laurie's reputation among trumpet players, especially for her teaching. Here's what no less a figure than Dave Douglas recently wrote about Laurie on the Greenleaf Music blog:
Laurie has been my trumpet teacher for over a decade, and I know many other trumpeters who rely on her for advice and counsel. She is the kind of gifted teacher who takes a personal interest in her students, crafting exercises specifically to their needs. She has also made herself available in emergencies -- I once called her for advice from Zurich, in panic on the day of a recording session. She called right back and listened to me play over the phone. She gave me several exercises to do to work out the issues. Something about it really clicked, though I would be hard pressed to tell you how... I did go into the studio with Tiny Bell Trio that day to record Constellations.
In recent years she has been teaching me how to figure out the solutions for myself, and she has had a major influence on the way that I teach and craft the program at Banff. [...] And recently Laurie started a new practice, taking appointments for private lessons via the internet using ICHAT/video or SKYPE/video. I have seen her do it and it is pretty amazing.
When I found myself needing to find one more trumpet player for the recording, I knew it would have to be not just a great player -- someone which great time and great intonation who could be relied on to nail the parts cold -- but also someone with tons of recording experience, a player who would not be fazed by the inevitable frustrations of the recording process. I was delighted when it turned out Laurie was available. She didn't know this at the time, but I was hoping she'd act as a stabilizing influence when the long stressful days in the studio inevitably began to take their toll on everyone (most definitely including me). She didn't disappoint. Anyone who has hung out with Laurie knows about her bone-dry sense of humor, and on several occasions her cutting wit turned out to be the perfect thing to defuse a tense moment on the studio floor.
As part of our fundraising efforts for our upcoming recording, Infernal Machines, we are offering you the opportunity to sponsor a Secret Society musician. Click here if you would like to sponsor Laurie's appearance on our debut album.
IMPORTANT: The deadline for sponsoring a musician (or becoming our Executive Producer) is February 15, 2009. However, you can continue to make individual donations (and have your name listed on our Thank You Page, if you wish) right up until the album is released in May.
We are also very pleased to announce a new sponsorship! Sam Sadigurksy has been sponsored by Suzi Beyerstein. It is individual contributions from supporters of independent music that are making this recording possible, and we are grateful beyond words to all of our generous supporters.
PREVIOUSLY...
Rob Wilkerson
Matt Clohesy
Jennifer Wharton
Mike Holober
Ingrid Jensen
Josh Sinton
Mike Fahie
Sam Sadigurksy
Sebastian Noelle
Nadje Noordhuis
Ryan Keberle
Erica vonKleist
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Darcy James Argue's Secret Society is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions in behalf of Darcy James Argue's Secret Society may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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