Go-Go Fightmaster

Go-Go Fightmaster is Aaron Bennett's Ornette Coleman-meets-Black Sabbath noise-grind-improv band. With Aaron, saxophones; John Finkbeiner, guitar; LM, bass; Vijay Anderson, drums. Visit the Go-Go Fightmaster myspace page for mp3s.

Aaron Novik Projects

Thorny Brocky

Thorny Brocky is wildly talented and chronically under-recognized Bay Area composer/bandleader Aaron Novik's latest musical venture - a retrospective sort of self-cover band playing the music from his previous half dozen or so groups. With Dina Maccabee, violin; Marié Abe; accordion, Kasey Knudsen, alto saxophone; Aaron, bass clarinet; LM, bass; Jamie Moore, drums. I played on Aaron's excellent electric groovy noisy Kipple CD, Flashes of Irrational Happiness, and also on his stunning chamber Samuel Suite recording. Visit www.aaronnovik.com.

Cory Wright Group(s)

Green Mitchell and the Cory Wright Group

LA-born-and-bred composer, multi-reed player and exceptional human Cory Wright has a trio called Green Mitchell that made a fantastic record in 2008 (featuring yours truly and drummer Jason Levis). Lately, he's been leading a quintet that performs his truly unique and thoughtful music for improvisers, I highly recommend it: Visit Cory Wright on Myspace.

Bristle

Bristle is the brainchild of Grass Valley composer and multi-reed player Rand McKean. I can't speak highly enough of Randy's fascinating music - he plays with incredibly inventive forms and structures which really challenge us to play differently. The group includes Randy and Cory Wright on saxophones and clarinets; Murray Campbell on violin and double reeds (!); and me on bass. The absence of drums (which happened by accident on the first few gigs) has been a blessing; the music really breathes and all the levels of interplay are clear and transparent.

Citta di Vitti

Citta di Vitti is Phillip Greenlief's evocative jazz-noir trio with him on alto saxophone, John Hanes on drums and me on bass. Phillip wrote dozens of melodies while watching Antonioni films with the sound off and swooning over the Italian actress Monica Vitti (hence the name). He's orchestrated the melodies into a series of tunes rich with improvisational possibility, written especially for this trio. Visit Citta on myspace.

Joseph's Bones

Joseph's Bones is Jason Levis' roots trombone reggae band. We recorded a double-record set of Levis originals and dub tracks in January 2007, and I believe Jason is awaiting his vinyl fairy godmother to come press the things with a wave of her magic wand, because God knows no mortals can afford to release it! Oh-so-sweet horn harmonies and a sick rhythm section... Scott Larson, Naomi Siegel and Rob Ewing, trombone; Marc Bolin, tuba; John Finkbeiner, Myles Boisen and John Schott, guitar; Lisa Mezzacappa, electric bass; Jason Levis, drums. Visit Jason's website for mp3s: www.jasonlevismusic.com

Franco Nero

Franco Nero is trombonist and composer/arranger Scott Larson's ecstatically roots-driven ska band. The musicians are exceptional: Jay Standards, keys and trumpet; Lech Wierzynski, vocals and trumpet; Scott Larson, trombone; Nick Rous, tenor saxophone; John Finkbeiner, guitar; Ben Malament, drums and vocals; and LM, rolling walking bouncing bass. Visit the band's site: franconeroska.com to be transported.

Beth Custer Ensemble

Beth is one of my favorite songwriters around, and her band grooves with a rare minimalist grace ... David James, guitar; Graham Connah, keyboards; Beth Custer, clarinets; Jan Jackson, drums; LM, bass. Visit Beth's site: www.bethcuster.com

Assorted Ted Brinkley Configurations

Not one to be spoken for, Ted (aka Graham Connah) and his music may be found on Myspace.