Free Form Jazz

KHANITRA

It was David’s call for the CD’s name Khanitra that means: a digging stick used to make a hole in which to plant a seed. That describes what David is doing by getting these people together. David’s plan was to use the Grand Piano to plant some seeds at X-N-Tric Studios in Vancouver, BC. with Han Bennink on Drums from Amsterdam, Holland and Alex Hutchison on Bass from Calgary, Alberta. While Han flew into town for the Vancouver Jazz Festival, Alex drove out in 2 days over the Rocky Mountains and David drove up the Coast from Portland, Oregon via Washington. After an amazing time at the VJF Opening Gala the previous evening, Alex awoke early in the morning of Friday, June 20’03, to a drum concert in the street a block away. It was bongo fury with massive drums thundering in the Vancouver Jazz Festival. After driving to the studio in a bright morning drizzle, I set up my gear and warmed up on bass. For a few minutes I went and hung out in the limited daylight at the glass front door. The rain chattered like a thousand street drummers, nourishing the seeds and then I got the call. After the recording session I drove Han downtown to his hotel. We had the windows down as we drove the Caddy through the rain, laughing, alive and free. Then David and I rendezvoused at the Best Sandwiches in the World for a sidewalk view, post-recording feast and recording review. Here’s a slice of our private reality.  

The CD has been featured on CFRO FM in Vancouver on the show "A Trane." In Febuary '03 Alex called on former SHADOPLAY Bandmates - Adrien Haggis-Piano and Dan Martin- Electric Guitar to perform Avant-Garde/Free Form Jazz at the Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club. In June David Haney, Han Bennink from Amsterdam and Alex recorded live at X-N-Tric Studios in Vancouver. B.C., June 20 2003. Alex then went to Portland, Oregon and performed with David for 3 nights. The Tugboat on June 28'03 is in Old Town and the classy vintage Heathman Hotel on June 30'03. Alex returned to Portland in September to play 2 nights with David and finish recording the CD KHANITRA. In April 2004, Alex performed with Mike Lefebvre and Nazca in Victoria, B.C. The CD KHANITRA was featured on CBC AM and CJSW FM with interviews with Alex to preview the Haney, Bennink, Hutchison concert on June 5'04 at the Cantos Music Foundation for Jazz Festival Calgary. The "1904 Steinway Louis XV" piano was on a rosewood stage. CBC AM then interviewed Alex for the upcoming Hutchison, Haggis and Martin performance, which was videoed and recorded at Beat Niqs during the Calgary Stampede, July 17'04. In September '04, Alex, David and Doug Haney, no relation, on Contra Bass Clarinet and Sax's, played 2 nights in Portland.