Jazz Mandolin Project
"Tour De Flux"


Jon Fishman joined Jamie Masefield (mandolin) and Chris Dahlgren (bass) for the
Jazz Mandolin Project's "Tour de Flux".
January

Mon 26 - Jim Porter's

Louisville, KY
Tues 27 - Be Here Now
Asheville, NC
Wed 28 - Cat's Cradle
Carrboro, NC
Thur 29 - Georgia Theater
Athens, GA
Fri 30 - Zydeco (U of AL)
Birmingham, AL
Sat 31 - Contemp. Arts Cent
New Orleans

John Dozier's JMP Pictures

Pierce Cube's Pictures
February

Mon 2 - Stubbs

Austin, TX
Tues 3 - Stubbs
Austin, TX
Thur 5 - Smiths Olde Bar
Atlanta, GA
Fri 6 - Ace of Clubs
Nashville, TN
Sat 7 - (Not Cancelled?)
Syc. Gar, Cincinatti, OH
Sun 8 - Grafitti Showcase
Pittsburgh, PA

Reviews


Another triumphant effort from Jon Fishman, except this time, Page, Trey, nor
Mike were anywhere to be found. He was accompanied by two other talented
gentlemen. Louisville's Jim Porter's GoodTime Emporium was stacked full of
Phisheads dancing their little twists and turns, among a scanty few suits, not
expecting to see the homemade garnments around them. By the end, the entire
forum of individuals, white-collar and hangout threads, spit-shoe shined and
birkenstock, barbershop and dreadlocked, "staff"-guarded and
"audience"-willin', were all awestruck by the JMP's most recent performance at
the Emporium in Louisville, making the tour a worthy see.
Masefield, tearing through his mandolin, recalls (although impossibly
matching) the great Bela, with a sound to challenge the great banjoist. He was
so feverishly picking his 'lin that he snapped a string during the encore, and
kept playing soaringly for minutes on end, with the same intensity, as if
nothing had impeded his performance. Dahlgren, with the bass in arm, exchanged
melodic bow string tones to searing, funky picking rhythms. The range of this
musician was the highlight of the concert. Fishman, with his almost
untouchable instincts and flavor with the drums, made the concert so inviting
with his solid support of the two. Along with Dahlgren, he would generate the
crecendos of Mansfield with such finesse and style, making the concert so
satisfactorily rhythm-driven, an earmark of Phish shows.
The three came out for their encore with facemasks like WWF rejects; Fishman
did a frontal pec-flex, imitating Bret "the Hitman" Hart, or something. It was
quite amusing, which along with his octopus-like drum ability, makes him one
of the most energetic and entertaining drums musicians around. Some of the
more "refined" guests were a tad confused here.
The show was alive with the spirit of the unexpected, which is so evocative of
jazz performance. Out of adagio, a spirited alegre appears, allowing no one to
corner the turns before the musicians' intents were realized. Phenomenal this
concert was, with an emotionally tangible excitement and yet a detached
intelligently orchestrated structure that makes the JMP an outstanding act.

The Birchmere: Seats 500. Restaurant style seating. Complete waitstaff. First set: Jamie said "Flux" (not sure if he was talking song or tour) Jamie broke a string during the first song - Fishman rapped with the crowd (about Clinton - "Free Willy! Which one?!") while Masefield reloaded, "Twang Guru" (cover: Abduhl Ibraham), "Buddha" - a ballad, "Chateux", "Nimbus" (The band really clicked halfway thru the first set and lit it up throughout the second. You could see they hadn't played together that much but there was lots of eye contact between the performers. The improvisation was fantastic.) Second set: Not sure, "Feur Elise"-->"Good & Plenty" (Masefield plucked Feur Elise on the mandolin and the band jumped in on Good & Plenty, "Clip" (Jamie explained their deal with the ice-storm, how they were stuck up at Fishman's for a week - said Jon was a gracious host but he could tell they wore on their hosts' hospitality by the end of the week - seemed like total tongue & cheek.) , A song that really sounded like Magilla - probably was, ? Encore: ? - had a real Dixie sound, ? another song sans name I. Flux (?), Twang Guru, Buddah, Chateux, Nimbus II. ?, Feur Elise-> Good and Plenty, Clip, Magilla, ? E: ?, ?
I got to check out the JMP show last night at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. I'd highly recommend checking this incarnation of the group out. Jamie repeatedly remarked about how much he was enjoying being able to play with such "fine musicians," and his enthusiasm was evident in his performance. The venue is rather interesting. The Birchmere is a restaurant/theater. You pretty much have to stay at your table (if you stand up, unless you're along the wall, you're blocking people's view). Everyone stays seated throughout the performance. For those of you accustomed to seeing jazz bands in dinner/theater type settings, you know what I'm talking about. For those of you who are hoping for a Phish-show type of scene, you're not going to get it here. Anyway, on to the music. I was amazed at how well-rehearsed they sounded. Jamie gave the same schpiel that someone mentioned in a previous review, about how they were stuck in Fish's house together for a week during the ice storm. Well, it shows. They are really tight. Jamie does his usual superlative job. He is just so graceful with that mandolin. Absolutely beautiful. He really does a great job guiding his band. He's not too domineering, but just keeps everything pointed in the right direction. All while playing the hell out of his mandolin. Fish was, for the most part, playing standard (don't take standard as an insult, he sounded great) jazz drums. He was given a few chances to shine, and he did just that. He kept a solid backbone to the whole evening, while adding the expected Fish pinch of flair. There was one song where he throws in a fill every, I believe, eighth measure, for a couple of minutes, and he really hammed it up. It was great. Body contortions, funny faces, etc. I haven't been that close to him having that much fun in several years. The bass player (I believe his name is Chris, but I'm embarrassed to say I don't remember off the top of my head), was also extraordinary. It seemed that he wrote as much as half the material they were playing (Jamie often mentioned who wrote the songs). Anyway, he plays a stand-up bass, and plays it well. He uses his bow quite a bit (this is where Fish really shined, as he really kept things going during these tunes). Most of the tunes he bowed in, he sound very ethereal and experimental. When he returned to the good ol' pluckin' of the bass, he would catch quite a groove. His style definitely resembles, to some degree, that of Chris Wood. I guess that's where people have come up with the MMW references I've seen. They don't really sound like them, unless you consider the fact that they both play jazz and don't sing a similarity. Anyway, the only songs I recognized, or that they named, were Chateaux and Nimbis (last two songs of the first set) and Good & Plenty and Arabia (second set). Arabia is a Garcia/Grisman tune (I don't know if it's theirs, but they used to play it) that closed the second set and was great! Well, I guess that about sums it up. They mentioned that tonight's (Friday) show was already sold out, and last nights show was sold out as well. So, get your tickets in advance. And, definitely check these guys out if you get the chance. You'll be sorry if you miss it. Cameron swrangler@hotmail.com
Hi Andy. Just thought I'd throw a few comments your way about the JMP show at the Knitting Factory last night. Feel free to share my comments with the rest of the rest of the community. First of all, for any of you that haven't seen a show in NYC or the KF, this place is one of the best atmospheres for catching a live improvisional type band. The show started with an opening act called Freegrass. They were very talented - guy on banjo, guy on mandolin/clarinet, & guy on drums/xylophone. But the real action came when JMP came on board. There were a few chants for fishman. The paparazzi was there too! (actually many fans taking pix left and right) So there should be plenty of photos circulating around. Few tapers as well (look forward to getting a copy soon, which I'd be happy to share). The music was phenomenal. Unfortunately, I was only able to catch the first set (my ride was leaving early). So, the rest of the show will have to be told by others or wait for the tapes! My favorite part was the way the band members reacted to one another - the communication was just great. It's so great to see the guys really get into it. KF will be the only venue with standing room only vs. theater type seating, Jamie was proud to state this. Very nice rapport with the crowd. I definitely recommend catching these guys! Enjoy the show- Glenn BTW, the lineup reminded me of MMW; except instead of an organ/keys you had one of the best mandolin players I've seen (aside from Grisman & Garcia of course). Congrats boys for a fine performance!
I was at the Jazz Mandolin Project concert tonight in Philadelphia, and got to see Fishman up close. I had second row seats and wasn't more than twenty feet from the stage and had a good view of the action. The band came out and played a song, and then the band was introduced, and lead mandolin player Jamie Mansfield explains about this new tour they are starting. He told a story about, two weeks ago I guess the band was up at Fish's barn practicing, and the ice storm hit. And he starting talking about how there was no place to do, or things to do except play. He started talking about eating all of Fish's oats and barley, pretty funny stuff. The band then plays five songs for its first set. And I've got to tell you, this is a band worth seeing. I originally went to this concert to see Fishman closer than I normally could at a Phish gig, but was very happy with the music from the entire group. The second set was great too. At one point Fishman was toying around in the back with these padded mallets, and he blurted out, "I just found out about these." (holding up the mallets). He then starts banging himself on the head with the mallets, which makes this deep thumping sound. Jamie then walks over and pulls the mike down to pick up the sound. Another great moment. Another five song set, with two encores ended a great evening of music. The TLA holds maybe 600 people, so it was cool to see these guys so close. Definetly pick up their cd it's worth it. Matt Latuchie

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