Radiate

Radiate is the long-anticipated new release from guitarist Liberty Ellman, his first since 2006 s critically acclaimed Ophiuchus Butterfly. He has chiefly been known in recent years as a member of Henry Threadgill s Zooid, a collaboration that has been ongoing for almost 15 years. The New York Times has called Ellman s music 'complex, meticulous and challenging... but also groovy, contemporary and sleek'.

With a guitar sound that is thoroughly modern yet rooted in greats like Grant Green and Pat Martino, Ellman also works with some of the most important figures in jazz today such as, Myra Melford, Vijay Iyer, Greg Osby, Joe Lovano, as well as the singer Somi. Radiate is a collection of eight original compositions that bristle with vitality. Ellman has an uncommon ear for counterpoint and rhythmic convolution with each piece grooving in its own audacious way. Of particular note is his clear interest in electronic music, and much of his work here finds the perfect balance between the energy and textural variety of that music and the driving swing of jazz.

Ellman s supremely accomplished band made up of some of the top musicians on the New York scene expertly replicates electronic music s deep bottom end and crackling odd-metered rhythms. The way he shapes his action-packed compositions, the arc of his quizzical melodies, the criss-cross rhythms, the roll and tumble of the bass and tuba, all remind us that Ellman is a highly individual composer and guitarist who demands to be heard. Total Run Time 42:30

Key Performers:
Liberty Ellman guitar
Steve Lehman alto saxophone
Jonathan Finlayson trumpet
Jose Davila tuba, trombone
Stephan Crump bass
Damion Reid drums