Joel Futterman
Piano, Soprano Saxophone, Indian Flute

With over 50 recordings spanning three decades, Joel Futterman has long been considered one of the foremost innovative and imaginative new music pianists in the world. Over the past 20 years, he has added the curved soprano saxophone and Indian flutes to his repertory. He is determined to push the limits of the piano to by combining a variety of adventurous techniques. But never confuse a rarified technique as a substitute for musical ideas. For Joel, technique is invisible; it is only the means of a total expression unencumbered by physical limitations. The power and intensity of his piano performances have been liken to Liszt interpreter, Ervin Nyireghazi, or a young Rachmaninov. Joel has recorded with Jimmy Lyons, Richard Davis, Hal Russell, and many other prominent artists. He has performed across North America and Europe including at such noted music festivals as The Tampere Jazz Festival in Finland, the Visions Festival in New York, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Berlin Jazzfest, and the North Sea Festival in Dennmark. He has collaborated with such notable jazz innovators as Jimmy Lyons, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Joseph Jarman, Matts Gustaffson, Richard Davis, William Parker, Al Fielder, and Hal Russell, as well as Edward “Kidd” Jordan with whom he has had a highly productive association over the past decade. In recent years, Futterman has added the Soprano Saxophone and Indian Wooden Flute to his instrumental repertoire. Futterman lives in near seclusion in Virginia Beach, VA where he replenishes his musical energies between performances.

Ike Levin
Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Percussion

Ike is a transplanted Chicago reed player now residing in the San Francisco Bay area where he contributes to the developing creative music scene. His robust, powerful tenor saxophone sound combines expressionistic blowing with elements of lyrical melodicism. He plays all reed instruments, but in recent years has developed a fondness for the bass clarinet and various ethnic wind instruments. Levin’s strong, free blowing improvisational talents are rooted in a reverence and appreciation for the blues, bebop, and contemporary chamber music. He studied with the legendary Chicago jazz saxophonist Joe Daley, as well as Fred Anderson, one of the founding members of the Chicago based Association for The Advancement of Creative Music (AACM). Ike studied musical composition at Roosevelt University Music Conservatory in Chicago. In addition to performing regularly with Joel Futterman, Ike has performed around the U.S. and Canada with such noted jazz artists as Alvin Fielder, Ira Sullivan, Wilbur Campbell, Michael Arnopol, Ed Petersen, Reggie Nicholson, Smiley Winters, Oluyemi Thomas, and Kash Killion, as well as leading his own small ensembles. Ike has compiled an growing discography of 9 recordings.

Alvin Fielder
Drums & Percussion

Al is an internationally recognized master percussionist and has been one of the true leaders in improvisational music for over 4 decades. He became interested in music from a very early age, not surprisingly, since both his parents were professional musicians. While Al performed with noted be-bop and post-bop jazz artists, his passions moved more towards a freer form of jazz music. In 1963 Al and several other Chicago based jazz musicians founded the Association for the Advancement of Creative Music (AACM). Al and these other musicians who included Fred Anderson, Muhal Richard , Roscoe Mitchell, Abrams, Lester Bowie and others wanted to explore new directions in what was then referred to as “free jazz.” After over 40 years of performing professionally, Al still approaches each performance as a challenge. He is never satisfied and continually stretches himself and those he plays with to explore new territory and elevations. Al has had a long and productive performing and recording relationship with another titan of improvisational music saxophonist Edward “Kidd” Jordan. Al has compiled over 20 recordings with such noted artists as Roscoe Mitchell, Ahmed Abdullah, Dennis Gonzalez, Joel Futterman, William Parker, and Kidd Jordan.