8–9 December 2017
“[Joe McPhee] and drummer Paal Nilssen-Love enact the aesthetic of total improvisation as living music by leaving it open to past and future, to newer techniques as well as ancient-sounding cries... This music may survey history, but it also inhabits the moment so completely that past and present, and hope and despair, evaporate in the incandescent heat of the present moment.” – Dusted Magazine
Joe McPhee and Paal Nilssen-Love have provided so many of the standout moments in Cafe OTO's history that it seems remarkable that we've never hosted their long-running duo collaboration until now. Playing at a level of deep rapport only possible through an ingrained sense of each other's method and approach, honed over many, many hours of collaboration, the duo have a seemingly effortless lightness of touch that belies the levels of complexity interwoven beneath the surface. These should be an unmissable couple of nights from two absolute masters of their craft.
Joe McPhee grew up in New York, is a multi-instrumentalist and plays since the late 60ties within the creative and free jazz music world. His play is energetic, demanding and breathtaking sensitive - still with over 80 years! He learnt to play trumpet as a kid and - inspired by John Coltrane, Albert Ayler and Ornette Colemann - he thought himself saxophone in his thirties. McPhee's first recording was with Clifford Thornton in 1967 on the album "Freedom and Unity". He became involved and known in Europe in the midd 70ties and since the 90ties he also plays with a younger generation from Chicago and New York. He played/plays regular for example with Ken Vandermark, Peter Brötzmann, Evan Parker, Mats Gustafsson, Dominic Duval, Jay Rosen, Jeb Bishop, The Thing, Clifton Hyde, Jérôme Bourdellon, Raymond Boni, Joe Giardullo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_McPhee
Nilssen-Love has, during the last couple of years, established himself on the international scene as a powerful drummer with high energy and creativity. In 2002 he was "Artist in Residence" at Molde International Jazz Festival, a title Chick Corea and Pat Metheny held in previous years. After 7 days and 9 concerts at the festival, Down Beat stated, "His week at Molde proved a revelation: Nilssen-Love is one of the most innovative, dynamic and versatile drummers in jazz."
