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Marty Ehrlich

Marty Ehrlich is one of the most celebrated artists of his generation, critically acclaimed as both composer and player. Equally fluent on clarinet, saxophone, and flutes, Ehrlich has been hailed as “one of the most formidable multi-instrumentalists since Eric Dolphy…the jazz dream musician” (The Village Voice). The New York Times calls him “one of the premier melodicists of his generation,” and The Nation “one of his time’s most original thinkers (with) a rare and wonderful talent, a now yearning, now biting attack and a stunningly voice-like expressiveness.” Jazz Zeitung states: “If there is a believable poetic sensibility in jazz, you will find it with Marty Ehrlich.” The Jazz Journalist Association honored him as Wind Player of the Year in 2001 and as Clarinetist of the year in 2003. In 2004, Ehrlich was awarded a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship in Composition.

Since moving to New York in 1978, Ehrlich has performed his compositions throughout America, Europe and Canada with numerous ensembles. Marty’s latest recording on Palmetto Records, “News on the Rail” features a sextet and is being hailed as one of the best albums of 2005 (JazzTimes). The Traveler’s Tales Group is a quartet of two horns and rhythm section. Its most recent recording, Malinke’s Dance, was chosen as one of the ten best recordings of 2001 in the Village Voice. The Dark Woods Ensemble features Ehrlich’s woodwinds with cello and bass. Its most recent release, Sojourn, received an award from Absolute Sound Magazine as one of the three best recordings of the year. Ehrlich has recorded 14 CDs with these ensembles on the Palmetto, Enja, New World, Omnitone and Tzadik labels.

In 2003, Ehrlich released a CD of an extended composition for 23 musicians called The Long View. During 2002, this work was played in exhibition at Harvard University with the paintings of a long time collaborator of Ehrlich’s, the visual artist Oliver Jackson. The Boston Phoenix called the piece “one of a handful of integral long-form works in jazz, standing beside those of the likes of Hemphill, Mingus and Ellington.”

Ehrlich has also been active as a collaborator with other composers. He currently works with pianist Myra Melford in the Melford/Ehrlich Duo and in a trio with Andrew Cyrille and Mark Dresser, called C/D/E. The duo recently released Yet Can Spring on Arabesque, and the trio a self-titled CD on Pao. He has also released duo recordings with Muhal Richard Abrams, Mike Nock, Anthony Cox and John Lindberg.

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Liner Notes

Christy Doran: in The Corner Of The Eye

Read "Christy Doran: in The Corner Of The Eye" reviewed by Ian Patterson


For forty years, Irish-born, Lucerne-based guitarist Christy Doran has recorded prolifically for numerous labels. Inevitably perhaps, many of his earlier works are out of print, so it's cause for celebration that this release brings together the very best of Phoenix (hat Art, 1990) and What a Band (hat Art, 1992), two long-neglected yet essential Doran recordings. The majority of Doran's releases have been with bands, from the seventies jazz-rock/free jazz group OM to New Bag, his main working ...

7
Album Review

Warriors of the Wonderful Sound: Soundpath

Read "Soundpath" reviewed by Mark Corroto


If we alter President John F. Kennedy's 1962 moon spaceflight speech just a bit, it easily fits the big band adaptation of Muhal Richard Abrams' magnum opus Soundpath, “We choose to perform this composition not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept." Accepting the challenge was band leader Bobby Zankel and ...

2
Album Review

Warriors of the Wonderful Sound: Soundpath

Read "Soundpath" reviewed by Giuseppe Segala


Nel 2011 il sassofonista di Filadelfia Bobby Zankel, leader della big band The Warriors of the Wonderful Sound e promotore di laboratori di musica contemporanea, propose a Muhal Richard Abrams un lavoro compositivo che avrebbe dovuto essere affidato alla band, con la direzione dello stesso pianista. Operazioni di questo tipo erano già state realizzate da Zankel negli anni precedenti con le musiche per big band di Julius Hemphill, dirette da Marty Ehrlich, poi con composizioni di Rudresh Mahanthappa e Steve ...

Extended Analysis

The Boyé Multi-National Crusade For Harmony

Read "The Boyé Multi-National Crusade For Harmony" reviewed by Stefano Merighi


Che trionfo per Julius Hemphill! A dispetto delle poche pagine--o righe--che le recenti storie del jazz dedicano al maestro di Fort Worth, Hemphill emerge da questo cofanetto di inediti come sassofonista-improvvisatore-compositore tra i più profondi della musica afroamericana nei decenni compresi tra gli anni '70 e '90. E questa preziosa edizione non solo torna a far luce su repertori e organici già conosciuti dai cultori, ma porta in superficie una gran mole di musica fresca, sorprendente, che ...

10
Album Review

Julius Hemphill: The Boyé Multi-National Crusade For Harmony

Read "The Boyé Multi-National Crusade For Harmony" reviewed by Mark Corroto


There is something inherently objectionable when a billionaire acquires an artistic masterpiece by say, Leonardo DaVinci or Claude Monet, only to sequester it from public view. You might feel the same about Julius Hemphill's recordings Dogon A.D. (Mbari, 1972) and 'Coon Bid'ness (Arista/Freedom, 1975). Both five star recordings, now out of print, cost a small fortune to acquire. Years ago saxophonist Tim Berne, a disciple of Hemphill, endeavored to rescue the saxophonist's Blue Boyé (Mbari, 1977) by rereleasing it in ...

10
Extended Analysis

Soundpath

Read "Soundpath" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer


Muhal Richard Abrams (1930-2017) was a revered pianist, composer and teacher of great capability and range who, in addition to his own achievements, inspired and influenced many jazz musicians in both the mainstream and avant-garde categories. Largely self-taught as a result of a personal decision to follow his own path, and early on pursuing church music, big band, blues, bebop and avant-garde jazz in his home city of jny: Chicago, he grasped music from its roots, and so was able ...

5
Album Review

Marty Ehrlich: Trio Exaltation

Read "Trio Exaltation" reviewed by Troy Dostert


After his previous release, 2013's magnificent big-band disc A Trumpet in the Morning (New World Records), it was unclear whether multi-instrumentalist Marty Ehrlich would continue down the path of large-scale composition or return to the small-to-medium-sized ensembles he's used for most of his recorded output over the years. Well, he's gone small all right: all the way down to a trio, something he's not done since 2000, when he teamed up with Andrew Cyrille and Mark Dresser on C/D/E (Jazz ...

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Recording

Composer-Arranger Oded Lev-Ari - Producer Of Anat Cohen, Marty Ehrlich, Duchess And More - Makes Leader Debut With Inspired Chamber Jazz Of Threading

Composer-Arranger Oded Lev-Ari - Producer Of Anat Cohen, Marty Ehrlich, Duchess And More - Makes Leader Debut With Inspired Chamber Jazz Of Threading

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Threading - to be released via Anzic Records on April 28, 2015 - presents Lev-Ari's instrumental and vocal works played by an all-star 11-piece band including Anat Cohen and Matt Wilson Composer-arranger-producer Oded Lev-Ari has crafted acclaimed albums by the likes of hit band 3 Cohens, clarinet icon Anat Cohen and woodwind sage Marty Ehrlich, as well as rising-star singers Amy Cervini, Melissa Stylianou and vocal trio Duchess. Now the Tel Aviv-born, New York-based Lev-Ari steps out with the first ...

Recording

New World Records Proudly Releases Saxophonist/Composer Marty Ehrlich's New Recording, A Trumpet In The Morning

New World Records Proudly Releases Saxophonist/Composer Marty Ehrlich's New Recording, A Trumpet In The Morning

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Available on November 12, 2013 A Trumpet in the Morning is Ehrlich's first recording in 13 years devoted entirely to his large ensemble compositions, featuring J.D. Parran, Ron Horton, James Zollar, Howard Johnson, Ray Anderson, Jerome Harris, Uri Caine, Drew Gress, Eric McPherson, Matt Wilson & many others MARTY EHRLICH STONE RESIDENCY @ The Stone, NYC, November 12-17 New World Records proudly announces the release of A Trumpet in the Morning, the new recording from saxophonist/composer Marty Ehrlich, ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: The Bad Plus Plays Stravinsky, Marty Ehrlich's Rites Quartet, the Brubeck Brothers, Laurence Hobgood and Ernie Watts, and More

Jazz This Week: The Bad Plus Plays Stravinsky, Marty Ehrlich's Rites Quartet, the Brubeck Brothers, Laurence Hobgood and Ernie Watts, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

The good news is that it's another busy week for jazz and creative music in St. Louis, including some very attractive free events. The bad news is that, absent time travel, cloning or some other fictional technology that doesn't exist, it's probably impossible for one person to hear it all. Nevertheless, to help you decide which shows are worth checking out, here are StLJN's picks for the week. Tonight, Dizzy Atmosphere plays swing and Gypsy jazz at The Shaved Duck, ...

Video / DVD

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: A Marty Ehrlich Sampler

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: A Marty Ehrlich Sampler

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week StLJN's video spotlight shines on multi-instrumentalist, composer and former St. Louisan Marty Ehrlich, who will be performing with his Rites Quartet in a concert presented by New Music Circle at 7:30 p.m. next Friday, October 4 at the Kranzberg Arts Center. Ehrlich, who's 58, grew up in University City and was influenced early on by the music of St. Louis' Black Artists Group and Human Arts Ensemble, with saxophonist Julius Hemphill serving as a particularly important example and ...

Performance / Tour

Marty Ehrlich, William Parker to be Featured in New Music Circle's 2013-14 Season

Marty Ehrlich, William Parker to be Featured in New Music Circle's 2013-14 Season

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

In the spring, the thoughts of performing arts presenters often turn to the announcement of the next season's schedule. Here in St. Louis, the Sheldon Concert Hall already has announced their various 2013-14 season series, and Jazz St. Louis is set to release next year's schedule for Jazz at the Bistro and the Touhill before the end of the month. Meanwhile, although New Music Circle isn't quite ready yet to make a formal announcement of their own, NMC administrator Jeremy ...

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Radio

The Jazz Session #134: Marty Ehrlich

The Jazz Session #134: Marty Ehrlich

Source: Michael Ricci

Marty Ehrlich is everywhere. Since moving from St. Louis to New York in 1978, Ehrlich has established himself as both an in-demand sideman and a leader with a distinct and multi-faceted musical vision. His CD Things Have Got To Change (Clean Feed, 2009), finds Ehrlich leading his Rites Quartet through a program of music written by, or inspired by, saxophonist Julius Hemphill, with whom Ehrlich played. In this interview, Ehrlich talks about his pan-stylistic approach to composition; the influence of ...

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Recording

Notes from the Net: New Releases from Marty Ehrlich and Keyon Harrold, Plus News, Reviews, Interviews, and More

Notes from the Net: New Releases from Marty Ehrlich and Keyon Harrold, Plus News, Reviews, Interviews, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Here's the latest compilation of assorted news briefs and links related to jazz, improvisation, and creative music in St. Louis, including news of musicians originally from the Gateway City, recent visitors, and coming attractions, plus assorted other items of interest.* In the latest Miles Davis-related news, the Associated Press has distributed a feature story about the 50th anniversary of Kind of Blue, with remarks from Jimmy Cobb, Quincy Jones, Chick Corea, Ron Carter, Chris Botti and others.

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Performance / Tour

Composer Portrait: Julius Hemphill Bobby Zankel's Warriors of the Wonderful Sound Featuring Marty Ehrlich

Composer Portrait: Julius Hemphill Bobby Zankel's Warriors of the Wonderful Sound Featuring Marty Ehrlich

Source: All About Jazz

Ars Nova Workshop presents: Tonight! Thursday, February 26, 7:30pm (doors at 6pm) Composer Portrait: Julius Hemphill Bobby Zankel's Warriors of the Wonderful Sound Featuring Marty Ehrlich Marty Ehrlich, alto saxophone; Bobby Zankel, alto saxophone; Elliott Levin, tenor saxophone; Dan Peterson, reeds; Dan Scofield, alto saxophone; Bryan Rogers, tenor saxophone; Bart Miltenberger, trumpet; Adam Hershberger, trumpet; Patrick Hughes, trumpet; Tom Madeja, trumpet; Larry Toft, trombone; Dan Blacksberg, trombone; George Barnett, French horn; Adam Lesnick, French horn; Matt Davis, el. ...

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Performance / Tour

Marty Ehrlich/Myra Melford Duo Coming to Firehouse 12 October 26th

Marty Ehrlich/Myra Melford Duo Coming to Firehouse 12 October 26th

Source: Improvised Communications

On Friday, October 26th, the long-standing duo of reed player/composer Marty Ehrlich and pianist/composer Myra Melford will perform at New Haven's Firehouse 12 in support of its new CD, Spark! (Palmetto Records). This is the second release by this pairing of acclaimed veteran talents, who have been performed together as a duo since 2000. Critics called their 2001 debut, Yet Can Spring (Arabesque Recordings), “revelatory" (David R. Adler, All Music Guide) and “the ultimate duet recording...another triumph for two outstanding ...

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Performance / Tour

Debut Concert of Metropolis Ensemble featuring jazz great Marty Ehrlich

Debut Concert of Metropolis Ensemble featuring jazz great Marty Ehrlich

Source: All About Jazz

The Metropolis Ensemble, a new chamber orchestra bringing together the talents of an emerging generation of performers who have already begun to reshape the sound and feel of music making in New York, will present their first concert on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 8 pm at the Angel Orensanz Foundation Center for the Arts, 172 Norfolk Street. For its debut concert, “Voices of Night", the Metropolis Ensemble joins forces with two musicians, saxophonist Marty Ehrlich, “one of the premier ...

Alberto Pinton
saxophone, baritone

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Boyé...

New World Records
2021

buy

Soundpath

Clean Feed Records
2020

buy

Trio Exaltation

Clean Feed Records
2018

buy

In The Corner Of The...

Hat Hut Records
2016

buy

Things Change

Via Veneto Jazz
2015

buy

A Trumpet in the...

New World Records
2014

buy

Blues for Peace

From: A Trumpet in the Morning
By Marty Ehrlich

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