The Musicians

Photo by Andrea Canter

Chris Olson is also a dedicated jazz educator. Since earning a master’s degree in jazz studies/performance from the University of North Texas, he’s taught guitar, jazz history and improvisation as well as directing jazz ensembles at UW-Stevens Point, Wausau Conservatory of Music, UW-Marathon County, and Inver Hills Community College. Currently on the guitar faculty at McNally/Smith College in St. Paul, he also teaches guitar lessons and jazz combos at the MacPhail Center for Music and summer programs at the Shell Lake (WI) Arts Center. Chris has performed with Bob Mintzer, Louis Bellson, Terry Gibbs, Ira Sullivan, and Bobby Vinton. In addition to Meantime, he is a regular member of the trio Framework, and is a frequent performer at the French Press Jazz Café.

BassistKevin Clementsreceived a music degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. A member of the Carleton College Adjunct faculty, these days he divides his time between performing, teaching, and “flying airplanes” (actually DC-10s). In addition to Maintime, Kevin has recently performed at Rossi’s and the Artists Quarter as a member of the Laura Caviani Trio, and is a first-call musician for many other Twin Cities’ jazz artists.

Photo by Andrea Canter

In the Mean Time

While the vibes-based quartet is hardly a new configuration in post bop ensembles, replacing the usual piano with guitar creates more celestial harmonies. And, at least in this case, a distinctly European esthetic evolves through the inclusion of compositions from Kenny Wheeler, Jan Garbarek, and William Walton; other gems from Garbarek partner Keith Jarrett, Jaco Pastorius, Chick Corea, John Scofield, and an original from Chris Olson round out the playlist.

Notes Epstein, “We're very attracted to some of the European jazz composers and the expansive and soaring imagery of their compositions.” Such imagery is well served by the quartet’s slinky charm on Jarrett’s “Spiral Dance,” Olson’s melodic interpretation of Pastorius’ “Three Views of a Secret,” Hagedorn’s luxuriant floatation on Garbarek’s “White Cloud/Blue Sky,” and Clements’ penetrating ostinato on Wheeler’s “Foxy Trot.” Among an hour’s worth of engaging harmonic etudes, Jarrett’s “New Dance” stands out, with tandem vibes and guitar simulating the resonance of steel drums, all brought into focus by Epstein’s Caribbean flavored pulse.

Celebrate the release of In the Meantime on May 26^th (9 pm) at the French Press Jazz Café in St. Paul (213 E. 4^th Street); CD available at http://knowtheneck.com and www.cdbaby.com

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