I first saw pianist Jim Baker and drummer Steve Hunt perform in very early 1994 after moving to Chicago. They helped form a core of musicians who were involved in a mini-Renaissance of the jazz scene in Chicago from roughly 1992-99. This jazz scene had deep roots with the Chicago rock scene of the time and included such musicians as Ken Vandermark, Mars Williams, Hamid Drake, and Kent Kessler. Also extremely important to that scene was author John Corbett, whose regular gig as a DJ on Northwestern University radio station WNUR had a galvanizing effect on the spread of left-field avant garde free jazz in the city.
Still quite active, the pair have now teamed up with the young bassist Jakob Heinemann, who originally hails from Madison. The trio recently released a CD of their music on the Clean Feed label entitled Horizon Scanners and were in town at the venerable Sugar Maple for a CD release show.
I was able to use a pair of delightful wide cardioid microphones made by the Swedish company Line Audio along with a Shure SM58 placed inside the house piano.
Guitarist Matt Lajoie had an early stage slot on May 6 at the Milwaukee Psych Festival, but despite the sunlight pouring down on him, came prepared to play with plenty of fiery psychedelic sounds.
He hails from Maine and is quite prolific -- his bandcamp page is filled with solo releases as well as various projects including Herbcraft and Ash and Herb (who performed outdoors at the 2018 Psych Fest).
His set was one continuous cloud-like piece which allowed Matt to explore various textures. He was most impressive when alternating sections of pure sonic bliss with some fierce shredding.
Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in NOS on stand in balcony next to mixing desk Additional source: mono SBD feed from Behringer X32 Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96 Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct
