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Happy Apple Returns to the Artists' Quarter, 8/29-31 - Come Take a Bite Print E-mail
Written by Don Berryman   
Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Image
© Howard A. Gitelson

Happy Apple is a locally grown freebop jazz trio with a devoted fan-base in the Twin Cities and a cult following worldwide. Happy Apple bring humor and their eclectic music to the venue in the basement of the Artists' Quarter for what promises to be an exciting weekend of new music Friday, August 29th through Sunday, August 31st. A long-time Artists' Quarter favorite, 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. Dave acts as the emcee for Happy Apple as from the behind the drum kit he announces the tunes and frequently breaks into what could almost be a stand-up comedy act. But the music is no joke - these are highly skilled musicians who are serious about music, but never take themselves too seriously.

"There's a small subgenre of bands right now that are making a tricky but inevitable connection: the combustible energy, sardonic attitudes and harsh, crackling timbres of indie rock and the musicianship, improvisational logic and humanism of jazz. ... [ The Peace Between Our Companies (2005)] comes in like a lion with 'Starchild Cranium,' but that full-on clank has nothing to do with the serenity of the winding ballad 'Ella by Nightlight,' near the end. It's nice to hear a band with such radically different dispositions". - New York Times

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A Happy Apple

" ... we've been sharpening our sense of dynamics as a band. We've learned to lay back and keep things uncluttered, instead of just pounding your face into the ground the whole time. I don't know how describe it, but we've truly developed our own sound. ... That kind of thing only happens for a group after it's been playing together for a long time, and we're now entering that realm". - Erik Fratzke in a recent AAJ interview

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 which appeared at the "Best New Bands of 2003" showcase at Minneapolis' famed First Avenue nightclub in early 2004. The band was also named "Best New Band of 2004" by the twin cities news and arts weekly "City Pages" in April 2004.

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Michael Lewis © Howard A. Gitelson

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'. He also performs with the passion and enthusiasm of a bull moose in rutting season. 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.

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Dave King © Andrea Canter
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. The Bad Plus, Starry Eyed Lovelies, 12RODS, Love-Cars, F*K*G, Bill Carrothers' "The Electric Bill", Craig Taborn (plays on Junk Magic album), Halloween Alaska, and Ursus Minor.


Happy Apple CD's :Image

  • Blown Shockwaves & Crash Flow (1997) with Cully Swansen on upright bass and Anton Denner on saxophone and flute
  • Part of the Solutionproblem (1998) with Bill Carrothers on Rhodes piano and Greg Lewis on pocket trumpet
  • Body Popping Moon Walking Top Rocking (1999)
  • Please Refrain From Fronting (2001)
  • Youth Oriented (2003)
  • The Peace Between Our Companies (2005)
  • Happy Apple Back On Top (2007)


Happy Apple is a very popular group in town, so if you're picky about your seat, plan to show up early. The Artists' Quarter is located in the historic Hamm Building in Downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, ( 408 St. Peter) near the corner of St. Peter and 7th Place. (651) 292-1359. Visit www.artistsquarter.com for directions and more details.

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