Kanreki: Reflection and Renewal
A career-spanning project by American trombonist Steve Swell, one of the most prolific and respected voices in contemporary free jazz, marking his kanreki — the Japanese term for the sixtieth birthday, a traditional milestone of renewal. Released by Not Two in 2015, Kanreki: Reflection and Renewal gathers a large cast of Swell's collaborators to celebrate six decades of life and a long, generous musical career, one of the most personal statements in his substantial body of work for the label.
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In Japanese culture Kanreki s the celebration of one’s 60th birthday. It is a time of reflection of one’s past experiences and renewal of one’s energies while moving forward into a new chapter of one’s life with clarity and determination. This CD would not have been possible without all the musicians here, Marek Winiarski and the love of Barbara Manes.
(Steve Swell)
- 1Dragonfly Breath: Live at Zebulon (CD 1)
- 2Essakane (CD 1)
- 3Schemata and Heuristics for Four Clarinets (CD 1)
- 4News from the Upper West Side (CD 1)
- 5Splitting Up is Hard to Do (CD 2)
- 6Live at the Hideout #1 (CD 2)
- 7Live at the Hideout #2 (CD 2)
- 8Live at the Hideout #3 (CD 2)
- 9Composite #8 (CD 2)
- C. Spencer Yehviolin, voice (CD 1, track 1)
- Darius Jonesalto saxophone (CD 2, track 5)
- Fred Lonberg‑Holmcello, electronics (CD 2, track 4)
- Guillermo Gregorioclarinet (CD 1, track 3; CD 2, track 4)
- James Ilgenfritzbass (CD 2, track 5)
- Joe Williamsbass (CD 1, track 2)
- Jonathan Golovecello (CD 2, track 5)
- Ken Vandermarktenor saxophone (CD 1, track 2)
- Magnus Brootrumpet (CD 1, track 2)
- Michael Vatcherdrums (CD 1, track 2)
- Miguel Mallaclarinet (CD 1, track 3)
- Omar Tamezguitar (CD 2, track 5)
- Paul Flahertytenor saxophone (CD 1, track 1)
- Steve Swelltrombone; composer (CD 1, tracks 1, 2, 3, 4; CD 2, tracks 1, 4, 5)
- Tom Bucknervoice (CD 1, track 4)
- Weasel Walterdrums, percussion (CD 1, track 1)
- Zara Acosta‑Chenclarinet (CD 1, track 3)
