Artists' Quarter Review of Koplant No

Joel Vanderheyden and Koplant No (10/28): Thirty minutes after the last notes of Figment, I found myself across the river in St. Paul, at the Artists Quarter for the local debut of Koplant No, a very young (it seemed) quintet led by native Twin Citian and now Iowa resident Joel Vanderheyden. Joel finished a doctorate in classical saxophone at the University of Iowa in Iowa City and has stayed on, leading Koplant No (he says the name comes from a bumper sticker, “Coal Plants – No!”) and recording his first CD (Complete Life) with the quintet and a few additions including veteran Iowa guitarist Steve Grismore. Koplant No plays all original music, much of it contributed by Vanderheyden, much of it integrating acoustic and electronic elements (and some vocalization) into generally melodic wholes. There’s injections of humor everywhere, particularly in the titles that are somewhat reminiscent of Bad Plus monikers, “Stubby McGhee is Somewhat Less Than Confrontational” being my favorite title. Often the music has an ECM ambience but there’s also that Midwest down-home comfort feel in the midst of the loops and pedals and tonal eccentricities. Koplant No will be on the main stage of the Iowa City Jazz Festival next summer.

Btw...we're a quartet, not a quintet.

BIG thanks to Andrea Canter for the photos and the nice review!

Read the full review HERE.

zSHARE - thereWillBeTebowTears2.mp3

zSHARE - thereWillBeTebowTears2.mp3

John Hollenbeck - Eternal Interlude

Twitter and Facebook don't give me enough space to write about this piece of music. Last spring, prior to the release of this album, I met John Hollenbeck. He came to workshop some of the music that Johnson County Landmark (one of the big bands at the University of Iowa) had played the previous semester. I'm not normally interested in big band music, but Johnson County Landmark has played some of the most interesting big band music that I've ever heard and I was always glad to be a part of it. Anywho, John Hollenbeck is one of my favorite musicians, or composers, or musician-composers...whatever you want to call it. All the Claudia Quintet music is awesome and it has had a huge impact on me, so when Johnson County Landmark had the opportunity to play some of John Hollenbeck's music, I was very excited. I think some of the musicians in the band weren't exactly into it at the time but I loved it. Then again, I'm a huuuge nerd.

I met Hollenbeck the day that he came to do the workshop. He was traveling with Theo Bleckmann at the time. That night, they performed as a duo at the Sanctuary Pub in Iowa City. It was a great show. Theo Bleckmann was fantastic. After the performance, I approached Hollenbeck and sort of tried to explain to him what his music has meant to me. This is something I almost never do. Listening to certain music is a deeply emotional thing for me, so speaking with the musicians who make that music is just...weird. But he was floored that anyone outside of NYC could be that much of a fan. I responded simply by encouraging him to put out more albums, specifically albums with the Claudia Quintet.

I just listened to this album today for the first time. The John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble. The album is called The Eternal Interlude. The title track is definitely one of the more beautiful pieces of music I've heard in a long time. This track comes just shy of 20 minutes, so if you're gonna listen, relax, maybe get some coffee, take it all in. But do it, you won't be disappointed.

Eternal Interlude - John Holle...

Btw...Real Records has plenty of copies of Complete Life by Joel Vanderheyden. :)

Tall Enough

Free Clinic and all ages show feat Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Koplant No - October 21 at the Iowa City Yacht Club

Contact: Lee Burress

Events Advisor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 563-349-0939

Wednesday, October 7, 2009 leeburress@gmail.com

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia hosts free clinic and all ages show

featuring Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey - October 21 at the Iowa City Yacht Club

Iowa City, IA. – The Iota Gamma Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at the University of Iowa presents a free clinic with the musicians of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Wednesday, October 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Old Capitol Recital Hall on the first floor of the Old Capitol Mall on the University of Iowa campus. The Iowa City Yacht Club will then hold a unique 8:00 p.m. show that is open to all ages. Local talent Koplant No will kick off the evening performance.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to get the best seats and meet the band before the free clinic at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the evening show will be available for $10 at the entrance to the Yacht Club, 13 South Linn St, Iowa City. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (JFJO) is a progressive quartet from Tulsa Oklahoma that brings their jazz approach to the different musical styles of today’s generations to clubs and festivals the world over. They specialize in infusing modern instrumentation and techniques with their jazz background, in order to create a direct relationship between what area music students learn in school and the music they listen to in their everyday lives. Experienced educators, JFJO still continues to take time to connect with and inspire local youth after 15 years of touring. No strangers to the Iowa City music scene, JFJO is a veteran of the main stage of the Iowa City Jazz Festival whose last trip to town in 2008 received an enthusiastic welcome from a full house.

Koplant No is comprised of local alumni of the University of Iowa’s Jazz programs. This forward-thinking ensemble incorporates elements of jazz, electronic music, and progressive rock into their modern sound. Their recent showing at the Iowa City Jazz Festival has garnered international attention for their work on the album: Complete Life.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is a collegiate social fraternity for men with an interest in music. The Fraternity has created over 200 active collegiate chapters and inducted more than 150,000 members since its founding in 1898, making it the largest and oldest secret society in music. The Iota Gamma Chapter at the University of Iowa is an active promoter of music and music education in the Iowa City region, embracing the spirit of Phi Mu Alpha’s purpose statement:

“The Object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the best and truest fraternal spirit; the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students; the advancement of music in America and a loyalty to the Alma Mater.”

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The Roots - "How I Got Over"