"They’re working on the fertile turbulent boundaries of many musical categories, setting their classical training and adventurous spirits on jazz bedrock--definitely a way to get the Paul Seal of Approval" -Minnesota Public Radio

Fantastic Merlins

The Black Dog Cafe will host the avant-garde chamber jazz of the Fantastic Merlins at 7:30 PM on Friday, August 22nd, at 9:00 PM on Friday, August 29th, and at 8:00 PM on Sunday, August 31st.The Fantastic Merlins include Nathan Hanson on tenor saxophone and electronics, Jacqueline Ferrier-Ultan (Jelloslave) on cello and electronics, Brian Roessler on bass and Federico Ughi on drums. They perform intriguing and beguiling music that truly transcends genre. The Black Dog Cafe, which is sure to be a protesters hangout during the RNC, sits amongst the artist's lofts in the Lowertown area of Saint Paul. Leading up to, and during the Repulican National Conventention, they will be hosting several 'un-convetnional' events from "Poster Offensive 4" on the 29th  to the counter-cullture Block Party August 31st - Sept 2nd. 

Nathan Hanson

Nathan Hanson is a tenor saxophonist and composer, based in New York City, who specializes in improvised music. Current projects include a solo recording on Sugarstyles Media entitled "Letting Go", a duo project "Mercury Retrograde" with drummer/cellist Elliot Humberto Kavee; and concerts in the US and Europe with Options, a group led by drummer Federico Ughi. He has performed with Cecil Taylor, Douglas Ewart, Dizzy Gillespie, Mark Dresser, Carei Thomas, Liberty Ellman, Elliot Humberto Kavee, Trevor Dunn, Tony Malaby, Daniel Carter, Sabir Mateen, Matt Glassmeyer, Sean Moran, Dan Fabricatore, Bruce Eisenbeil, Kevin Schmidt, Jay Rosen, Francis Wong and many others.

Jacqueline Ferrier-Ultan © Bryan Aaker

Jacqueline is currently involved in two additional projects including the feisty cello duo known as 'JelloSlave', with fellow cellist Michelle Kinney; 'Anti-Gravity' with guitarist Dean Granros, saxophonist Scott Fultz (FKG), Clarinetist Pat O'Keefe (Zeitgeist) and laptop wizard Steve Goldstein. Jacqueline is also a dedicated teacher and is on the faculty of the Macphail Center for Music and the Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Brian Roessler

As a teenager Brian dedicated himself to prog rock odysseys, but by the time he finished college he had composed an hour long film score incorporating stringquartets, pieces for small jazz combos, and sequenced MIDI. His 1995 piece Returning to Silence was chosen by the Macphail Center for Music as the subject of amaster class with composer Henry Threadgill. Improvisational structures and works for solo instruments and small ensembles continue to be Brian's compositional focus.

On electric bass Brian has been featured live and on recordings by acclaimed artists such as Storyhill, Alva Star, Brenda Weiler, and most notably Spymob - his slongtime band that signed with Epic records in 1998.

Brian's exploration of the double bass has been inspired and guided by two crucialmentors. James Clute of the Minnesota Orchestra taught him the intricacies of orchestral repertoire and shared decades of experience at the fore front of the American symphonic scene. Brian's study intensified in 2002 with his move to Paris towork with Francois Rabbath, one of the instrument's great virtuosos and pedagogues. Back at home in St. Paul his apprenticeship with Rabbath continues today, bringing deep inspiration to all aspects of Brian's musical life.

Bassist Brian Roessler has performed and recorded with artists as diverse as indie rock darling Kid Dakota and jazz great Carei Thomas. He is principal bass of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra (Minnesota) and has served as a substitute in the bass section of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Look Around

Ughi has toured throughout NYC, Europe and UK performing in many festivals andvenues including: Vision Festival NYC, Improvised & Otherwise Festival NYC, CBGB, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Brighton Jazz Bop Festival, Relay 1998 UK, Total EclipseFestival UK, The Knitting Factory and Cornelia Street Cafe.

From 1994 - 1999, he was based in London, and performed in many venues and festivals. He co-led the acoustic quartet 'After Breakfast' which toured throughoutEurope, and was awarded a grant from Jazz Services for the "After Breakfast UK Autumn Tour 1998". He moved to New York in early 2000, inspired by Paul Bley, with whom he studied.

Prior to 1994, he was based in Rome, where he studied music at UM (Universita' della Musica), and worked as a drummer and band leader in bands covering diverse styles from jazz to crossover funk to rock to hard-core punk (Bloody Riot).

Friday August 22,
Fantastic Merlins 7:30 - 8:30

Friday August 29,
Fantastic Merlins perform at 9 pm
After the reception for Poster Offensive 4.
Brilliantly-executed, thought-provoking posters of particular importance at this particular time!
The party starts at 5, and will keep rolling until 1 am.

Sunday August 31
Fantastic Merlins perform at 8 pm as part of the Black Dog Block Party

Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar
www.blackdogstpaul.com
308 Prince St
St. Paul, MN
651-228-9274

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