Many thanks to all who attended last night's Big Band Blowout on the Bowery. The Industrial Jazz Group put on a hell of a show and it was a real pleasure to share the stage with them, especially in front of such a large and appreciative crowd. I am in awe of IJG mastermind Andrew Durkin's ability to put together an east coast tour for his group. The logistics of trying to set up a Secret Society gig in, say, Philly, still seem incredibly daunting to me -- let alone pulling off a regional tour on the other side of the country.
As those who attended the show know, I found out shortly before the gig that one of my most valued co-conspirators, Sam Sadigursky, found himself stuck in a Florida airport with no way to get back to New York in time for the gig. Luckily, the incredible Marc Phaneuf was able to step in at the last minute and read the music cold. Marc has played some of my music before, but only in Pulse -- he's never seen the Secret Society book. But he sat down just before we hit and played like he had all the charts memorized. Marc is one of the most outstanding musicians in town -- not just a phenomenal reader but a first-rate improviser as well -- so if you get the opportunity to hear him play, fercrissakes go.
I'll have the full run-down, with audio and photos, up soon, but until then, here are the "show notes" -- followup on a couple of things I mentioned during the set:
MP3: Michael Brecker's solo on "Foxy Trot" (from Kenny Wheeler's Double, Double You
As I mentioned, this track was my first exposure to Brecker's playing. At the time, I thought it was the most exciting jazz solo I'd ever heard, and after revisiting it the other night, I still think it kicks six kinds of ass.
Video: Maher Arar talks about his ordeal. A Canadian citizen, fellow McGill alumnus, telecommunications engineer, husband and father of two young children, in 2002 Arar was passing through JFK airport on his way home from a family vacation in Tunisia when he was taken aside and detained by the INS. A few days later, he was secretly deported to Syria, where he was imprisoned in a grave-like 3' by 6' underground prison cell. The only time he saw the outside of that cell was when he was taken to the torture room and beaten. Arar remained in Syrian custody for over 10 months until, thanks to the efforts of his family and the international human rights community, his release was finally secured. Arar was never charged with any crime and no evidence of any wrongdoing has ever been produced. A Canadian commission charged with looking into the matter found "there is no evidence to indicate that Mr. Arar has committed any offence or that his activities constitute a threat to the security of Canada."
More info at maherarar.ca and Wikipedia.
"Habeas Corpus" is devoted to Maher Arar and those like him all over the world who have been illegally detained and tortured.
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