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Northwoods Improvisers

Northwoods Improvisers first came together in 1976. Early versions of the band played totally collective electro-acoustic improvised music. Around 1980 the band switched to an all acoustic instrumentation which has remained to this day. Mike Gilmore and Mike Johnston were founding members of the ensemble. Nick Ashton joined in 1986.

In the 1980's the band published several homemade cassette tapes of various live performances. in 1987 the band played several gigs with Canadian saxophonist (and Coda Magazine editor) Bill Smith.

In 1994 Northwoods released their 1st recording Fog and Fire on Trevor Watts Arc label. In 1996 Northwoods began recording on the Michigan based Entropy Stereo label owned by violinist Mike Khoury.

In 2000 the group began colaborating with Detroit saxophonist Faruq Z. Bey. Mike Carey a long time Bey collaborator joined the ensemble in 2002.

Complete History

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145
Album Review

Northwoods Improvisers: Lightning Darkness

Read "Lightning Darkness" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


The Northwoods Improvisers are basically the same troupe as the Remote Viewing Ensemble (see May 99 AAJ review). Lightning Darkness features a similar approach to RVE; however, some of these pieces are constructed against firm rhythmic structures; although, the main thrust and conceptual approach is that of, improvisation.

The opener, “Lightning Darkness” is at times eerie and tense. Vibes and various percussion instruments steer the way into dark, mysterious places featuring rich yet varied tonal colors, which emit a sense ...

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179

Performance / Tour

Faruq Z. Bey with Northwoods Improvisers Featuring; Mike Carey and Skeeter Shelton at Cliff Bell's

Faruq Z. Bey with Northwoods Improvisers  Featuring; Mike Carey and Skeeter Shelton at Cliff Bell's

Source: JazzStage Productions

Faruq Z. Bey, a founding member of Griot Galaxy, a band referred to as 'the best band that never left Detroit', has been active on the Detroit music scene as a performer since the early 1970s. He started his career as a professional musician in 1960. Since then he has performed with Abdullah Ibrahim, Leroy Jenkins, Roscoe Mitchell, Anthony Braxton, Roy Brooks, and Archie Shepp. Northwoods Improvisers first came together in 1976. Early versions of the band played totally collective ...

"The music exists in a space cleared long ago by Coltrane's tireless modal searching and Sun Ra's insinuating pulse, yet it still appears fresh and purposeful - a music pleasingly at ease with it's own history".
Julian Cowley ; The Wire Feb. 2007.

"Pristine earth soul jazz".
Thurston Hunger; kfjc on-line reviews 2007

"Michigan's Northwoods Improvisers have, for over a decade, provided the underground with some of the most satisfying, confounding, and totally inventive music on the scene, though they are seldom acknowledged for it...

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Constellations

Arc Records
2008

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Velvet Box

Arc Records
2008

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Journey into the...

Entropy Stereo
2008

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Star Garden

Arc Records
2000

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Lightning Darkness

Entropy Stereo
1999

buy

Fog And Fire

Arc Records
1994

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