 Michael Lewis © Bryan Aaker
Celebrating the release of their 7th CD, Happy Apple Back On Top, Happy Apple is a band with a devoted fan-base in the Twin Cities, in France and a cult following worldwide. Happy Apple was formed over ten years ago in Minneapolis, members of the band are David King (drums), Michael Lewis (saxophones) and Erik Fratzke (electric bass). All three members compose music for the group which places equal emphasis on improvisation. Happy Apple draws on several other genres; the group's members play in other bands ranging from indie rock and heavy metal to free jazz and electronic. The best known of these is The Bad Plus, in which King also plays drums.
 Happy Apple © Howard A. Gitelson Erik Fratzke is not only a bassist, he plays guitar in the experimental band, The Gang Font, feat. Interloper with Dave King, Craig Taborn and Greg Norton (founding bassist the punk band, Husker Du). He also plays guitar in the prog-metal band, Zebulon Pike.
Happy Apple's Mike Lewis is an gifted saxophonist whose playing is the melodic voice of Happy Apple. Lewis is a master of his craft with 'big ears'. Lewis also performs with jazz trio Fat Kid Wednesdays, the electronic collective "T", the rock groups Redstart and Fog, Bill Carrothers' "The Electric Bill", Starry Eyed Lovelies, and the double-trio Science Vs. Flame. Lewis is also featured in may musical collaborations at the Annual Minnesota Sur Seine festival. David King is a drummer and composer active in Minneapolis, Minnesota since the 1990's. Known for his versatile and high-energy playing style, and his ability to contribute to bands operating in different musical genres. While playing, Dave is all over his kit and pulls things out of his bag of tricks as he plays. I read one music writer say that played like a masturbating octopus. He is a founding member of Happy Apple and The Bad Plus. He works simultaneously in several other bands, many in the jazz, electronic, indie and rock genres. He is considered a major catalyst in the Minneapolis/St. Paul music scene; in recent years he has been subject to increasing demand elsewhere.  Kneebody Kneebody’s eponymous first album was the first release on Dave Douglas’ Greenleaf music that wasn’t by Douglas himself. “Their music is a great direction for jazz musicians to go,” Douglas told DownBeat. “It’s spontaneous and exciting. The writing is fresh, and the way they integrate it with improvising is unique.” tickets at $25 and The Great American Music Hall islocated at 859 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco. For more information visit sfjazz.org Happy apple video clip: Kneebody video clip: |
Friday, 25 July 2008
