Best in Jazz: Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
Not long ago, we called the state’s reigning alt-jazz act “the QuikTrip of eclectic, often improvisational fusion jazz.” For the Tulsa-based Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, that label [...]]]> With thousands of votes submitted, the people have spoken! Here are your winners of Oklahoma Gazette’s Woody Awards for 2012!

Best in Jazz: Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
Not long ago, we called the state’s reigning alt-jazz act “the QuikTrip of eclectic, often improvisational fusion jazz.” For the Tulsa-based Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, that label has long fit, but don’t dismiss the outfit as a novelty. The group’s most recent album dealt with the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 — heady stuff for (a different kind of) heady music.

http://okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-14717-getting-a-woody.html

Who knew such whacked-out music could come from Tulsa? Hell, anywhere! The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey formed in 1994 in Oklahoma, playing a form of jazz that quite literally doesn’t sound like anyone, at any [...]]]> Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey – Race Riot Suite – Kinnara Records
Click Here to visit the Ink19 website

Who knew such whacked-out music could come from Tulsa? Hell, anywhere! The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey formed in 1994 in Oklahoma, playing a form of jazz that quite literally doesn’t sound like anyone, at any time. You could see Charlie Mingus leading this band, with perhaps the riotous Rahsaan Roland Kirk on whatever he could his hands on, alongside the piano and lap steel guitar. Think of it as prog-jazz — a sort of Primus meets Zappa in the French Quarter.

The title, Race Riot Suite refers to the 1921 Tulsa race riot that was kept largely from the white residents’ eyes and erased from the history books. Two days in the end of May saw the wealthiest African-American community in the United States burned to the ground. The “official” death toll was 35, but black residents say it was up to ten times higher than that. Written and arranged by guitarist Chris Combs, the music captures the horror of the night, entirely instrumental. Keyboardist Brian Haas overdrives his Fender Rhodes electric piano until it bleeds, while the rhythm section of Jeff Harshbarger on double bass and Josh Raymer on drums provides a rock-solid foundation. The five-piece horn section sounds at times like a New Orleans brass band, stomping and swaggering until you almost think the music will explode — much like Tulsa did back in 1921.

This is easily the album of the year for 2011. Nothing comes close in execution or expression. In a time when jazz music is either smooth elevator blandness, or well-mannered retreads of 50-year-old legends, this is jazz with a pulse. To hear what the JFJO sounds like live, download their Noise Trade EP Under The Belfry. Be warned: this ain’t your parents’ jazz. No, Race Riot Suite and the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey are too revolutionary for that. This is music that makes you think, react and be astonished. Essential listening.

Miles Davis’ “Bitches Brew” was in full swing over the sound system when local rockers Something in [...]]]> There is an old joke that jazz is five musicians playing five different songs at the same time. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey managed to both prove and disprove that statement during their set at 2720 Cherokee on Saturday.

Miles Davis’ “Bitches Brew” was in full swing over the sound system when local rockers Something in the Water took the stage and did a brief sound check before beginning their set. They ran through a 45-minute set of jazz-tinged blues-rock. Often sounding like a cross between Stone Gossard and Jimi Hendrix, Wayne Kimler handled his guitar like a pro. I was impressed with how clean the guitar tone was throughout the set, especially with some of the fuzz-laden and overdriven sections.

Drummer Kevin Helmsing pounded the skins as well as handled the vocals, keeping great time and adding some nice fills without overpowering the rest of the group. Bassist Ben Wheeler had the groove well in place, but some of his high-end sound was lost in the mix. He was knocking out some tasty upper register notes and four string chords, but everything above the 12th fret on the A and E strings was inaudible.

Despite some minor power issues (it looked like the bass/drums were vibrating the leads for Wayne’s pedal board out of the power strip), Something in the Water knocked out a pleasant, groove-laden set.

After a short delay, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey set up shop and proceeded to blow minds and offer new perspectives for the next two hours. JFJO has been in existence for 18 years and has 21 albums under its belt. Despite having such a long history and catalog of music, it is still nearly impossible to describe them. You can call their performances experimental, improvisational or avant-jazz, but those terms don’t even begin to scratch the surface.

Click to read the full article

BY JON PRINS – MARCH 1, 2012
POSTED IN: PHOTOS, REVIEWS, SLIDESHOW ARTICLES

Energy: A
Sound: A
Musicianship: A+
Stage Presence: A+
Set/Light show: N/A

Overall: A

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REVIEW

The A Side consists of a short & condensed solo piano version of a song from The Race Riot [...]]]> Starting on February 19, 2012 Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey began releasing a special series of A & B sides. These lo-fi unmastered tracks capture a raw, distilled, and reconstructed version of The Race Riot Suite material.

The A Side consists of a short & condensed solo piano version of a song from The Race Riot Suite as interpreted by Brian Haas. The B Side has a remixed version of the A Side as produced by The Race Riot Suite producer, Costa Stasinopoulos.

This video previews the first A/B Side release, Cover Up:

Cover Up is now available to stream via SoundCloud, as well as available as mp3 download in exchange for your email address. All other A/B side releases will be available for purchase direct from JFJO.COM for .99 cents for the A/B pair. Or, get all 14 tracks for just $4.99:

Get all 7 A/B side releases for $4.99

Black Wall Street (A/B side for $0.99)

Grandfather’s Gun (A/B side for $0.99)

Lost in the Battle for Greenwood (A/B side for $0.99)

The Burning A/B side for $0.99

Eye of the Dove A/B side for $0.99

…and the Number One Jazz CD of 2011:

1. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey’s “Race Riot Suite” (Royal Potato Family)
An African-American community in Tulsa was basically wiped out over two days in 1921, and then the riots were promptly wiped [...]]]> Nippertown has named The Race Riot Suite the #1 jazz album of the year!!

…and the Number One Jazz CD of 2011:

1. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey’s “Race Riot Suite” (Royal Potato Family)
An African-American community in Tulsa was basically wiped out over two days in 1921, and then the riots were promptly wiped from state history books. JFJO slide guitarist Chris Combs’ epic suite harnesses every emotion that could come from such a horrific act. Jacob Fred’s unique neo-fusion gets more muscle from a heavyweight horn section featuring Jeff Coffin and Steve Bernstein. A required “history listen.”

http://www.nycjazzrecord.com/

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Band

JFJO may be touring internationally and garnering praise worldwide, but the ensemble returned home to Tulsa — both literally and figuratively — for The Race Riot Suite. Recorded at The [...]]]> Thanks to Urban Tulsa Weekly for listing Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey as part of their Hot 100 of 2011:

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Band

JFJO may be touring internationally and garnering praise worldwide, but the ensemble returned home to Tulsa — both literally and figuratively — for The Race Riot Suite. Recorded at The Church Studios, it tells the story of Tulsa’s 1921 race riot and is one of the most moving releases of 2011, regardless of genre.