Quintet For a Day, 1999



WHAT WE LIVE is a West Coast based trio that has recorded several recordings. It is made up of the trio of Lisle Ellis (bass), Larry Ochs (the "O" in ROVA) and Donald Robinson. All three were members of the late Glenn Spearman's Double Trio. They have built their sound around group improvisation that demands upon constant attention to the other members of the ensemble in order to determine each player's contribution to the whole. They will often invite other improvising musicians to participate (among the past invitees have been William Winant, Paul Plimley, India Cooke). In this case, trumpeters Wadada Leo Smith (right channel) and Dave Douglas (left channel) round out the group on this recording.

The music on this recording is entirely improvised but it isn't "ball to the walls" cacophony (not that there's anything wrong with that). The five players weave in and out of the pieces contributing to the direction of each work whenever they see fit to join in. Ellis is really the only musician to play through the entirety of each piece.

Enjoy!  

They Have a Word For Everything, 1999



Let me begin by saying I think the cover of this recording might make the final round in a "Most Boring Record Cover" contest. I almost didn't pick it up when I was shuffling through the bins at my favourite record store. But my eye caught the names Dave Douglas, Andy Laster (a wonderful horn player) and Kermit Driscoll (the original bassist for Bill Frisell's early quartet). And it was on the Knitting Factory Label. Naturally, I picked it up.

Get past the cover and listen to the music.

Enjoy!