Medeski Martin and Wood Jam At Hunter Center on November 12th.

This power trio has been making music for as long as I have been breathing Earth’s fresh air, that does not however mean that they are outdated like many artists from the early 90’s. MMW is a force that can not be altered, continually evolving in ways that keep them 10 steps ahead of everything else around them. These three have a serious understanding of musical energy and flow.

Martin (left) and Wood (right) of MMW on November 12th at the Hunter Center, MASS MoCA

November 12th marked the extravagant return of Medeski Martin & Wood back to the western Massachusetts sanctuary, MASS MoCA. The last time that MMW had played the Hunter Center, they sold it out in a blizzard. This time we were fortunate that they came before snowfall, but the place was still packed.

Since the beginning MMW has been indescribable with words commonly associated with music. They literally defy conventional boundaries of style and experiment with every aspect of their sound.

Wood (left) and Medeski (right) at MASS MoCA on November 12th.

The crowd that arrived was not typical to the place. MoCA workers looked about anxiously as the place filled with loud, enthusiastic post-hippie types who outwardly showed their anticipation.

MMW generally draws an audience of varying interests. From fringe jazz listeners to budding drummers to fans of funky extended jams. There is something for everyone at one of their shows and this is a rarity these days with many groups focusing on one specific genre or direction.

The trio is riding the wave of the last installment of their latest project, Radiolarians. Radiolarians are microscopic creatures who grow gorgeously colored skeletons outside of their soft inner core. This concept is what brought about the year long, 3 tour & 3 album project. They started with a rough idea of where they were headed and continued to develop on these ideas at live performances, making note of what they felt worked until it grew a beautiful outer shell.

Each member had time built in dedicated to expressing exactly as they play individually or whatever it is they are feeling at that moment in time, like with most jazz groups. I captured Billy Martin’s drum solo:

Many of the people who attended this show were out of state and had never been to MoCA before but checked out the galleries before hand and were amazed.

There was no opening act and they went right into playing for us. Martin surrounded by percussive instruments from across the globe. Wood in a sea of pedals which he attached his stand up and electric bass to. And Medeski was in a cave of pianos and processors.

I also captured a short video of their song Amish Pinxtos off of Radiolarians II.

Another element that separates MMW from other musicians is that they really love to play music. Medeski has played with John Zorn’s Electric Masada and Wood plays regularly with his brother in the Wood Brothers. They stayed after the show and signed anything we had to offer.

Here are a few shots from the show that I took:

Billy Martin

Chris Wood

Medeski (right) and Wood (left)

Billy Martin

Chris Wood

Martin (left) and Wood (right)

Martin (left) and Wood (right) of MMW on November 12th at the Hunter Center, MASS MoCA

Wood (left) and Medeski (right) at MASS MoCA on November 12th.

MMW

Radiolarians: The Evolutionary Set will be available December 8, 2009. The Evolutionary Set includes all three Radiolarians CD’s, 2 Double Vinyl LP’s, a live cd, a remix cd and a documentary on the making of Radiolarians directed by Billy Martin himself.

Preorders available here:
Radiolarians: The Evolutionary Set

The group’s next show will be in Vermont at Higher Ground.

Thursday, December 3, 2009
Higher Ground Ballroom
Burlington, VT
Info: (802) 652-0777 and Higher Ground
Doors:
MMW Showtime: 9:00 PM
Tickets Available: venue Higher Ground

Hornsby, Noisemakers and the Brothers Wood.

Tuesday October 6th was an absolutely beautiful day to be in the Berkshire Hills. The temperature was a near perfect 55 and the sun sent illustrious beams down through the falling leaves.

Nestled in the hills in the hip town of Great Barrington, named by Boston Magazine as one of “New England’s Best Small Towns”. Directly at the town’s epicenter lies The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. The Mahaiwe was opened in 1905 and is one of the oldest remaining theaters in the country. In it’s day the theater has held greats such as John Philip Sousa along with countless touring vaudeville acts. “It was transformed into a movie palace in 1930 and has been in continuous operation for over 100 years. Celebrated for its splendid acoustics, the theatre has played an important role in the life of the area.” In the recent years the Mahaiwe has undergone over $9 million in restoration.

On this cool evening singer/composer/band leader/Berkeley graduate Bruce Hornsby took the stage with his band of Noisemakers.

However, The Wood Brothers took the stage before Hornsby made his mark. A stand-up bass and electric guitar were all they needed to captivate everyone present.

Medeski, Martin & Wood- Mass MoCA

Medeski, Martin & Wood at Mass MoCA
North Adams, MA, USA

Medeski, Martin & Wood

“The legendary jazz/funk trio returns to North Adams with a full head of steam, having just released Radiolarians III, the third installment of its 2009 3-album, 3-tour project Viva La Evolution. Last time they were here with what Mojo magazine calls their “freaky funk, free interludes, amazing group chemistry and chops that slacken the jaw,” they sold out in a blizzard. Will Hermes of the Village Voice says, “Medeski, Martin, & Wood are the leaders of this new school [of jazz], if anyone is—working the groove, probing the cosmos, and avoiding jazz-lite clichés.” –Mass MoCA event page.

The trio began to take form in 1991 in New York City. Medeski and Wood were students of New England Conservatory of Music. They played the Brooklyn underground scene, or known as D.U.M.B.O. (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass).
Each member belongs and actively participates in a multitude of projects spanning from solo piano recitals to the likes of John Zorn.

Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:00 pm
Hunter Center
$25 advance/$29 day of show/Members 10% discount

Be sure to make it to MoCA for MMW’s return to North Adams.

You can also read a preview I wrote about the event for Berkshire Fine Arts here:

Jazz Funk Trio Medeski Martin & Wood Play Mass MoCA

I will also be attending this event and writing for Berkshire Fine Arts and this blog.