Free Fall With Jeff Johnson at Seattle Jazz Fellowship

Anytime this quartet plays in public, you should take advantage of it. While the band has a weekly date down the block at Underbelly, this appearance comes with the guarantee that the original four–the only true version of this non-chordal juggernaut, will be on the gig. The idea for this band dates back to the 1990’s, when the trio of saxophonist Rick Mandyck, drummer John Bishop and bassist Jeff Johnson covered a Tuesday night gig at the Old Town Ale House in Ballard for eight years. Mandyck had been performing with Billy Hart, Mark Murphy and Carter Jefferson among others. Johnson had played with Philly Joe Jones, Jessica Williams and Hal Galper while Bishop was appearing on dozens of albums and tour dates on a national scale. Multi-reedist Hans Teuber became the fourth frequent participant, while saxophonist Rich Cole and guitarist John Stowell would drop in as well. ...

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Anytime this quartet plays in public, you should take advantage of it. While the band has a weekly date down the block at Underbelly, this appearance comes with the guarantee that the original four–the only true version of this non-chordal juggernaut, will be on the gig. The idea for this band dates back to the 1990’s, when the trio of saxophonist Rick Mandyck, drummer John Bishop and bassist Jeff Johnson covered a Tuesday night gig at the Old Town Ale House in Ballard for eight years. Mandyck had been performing with Billy Hart, Mark Murphy and Carter Jefferson among others. Johnson had played with Philly Joe Jones, Jessica Williams and Hal Galper while Bishop was appearing on dozens of albums and tour dates on a national scale. Multi-reedist Hans Teuber became the fourth frequent participant, while saxophonist Rich Cole and guitarist John Stowell would drop in as well. 

The current iteration includes trumpeter Thomas Marriott. The author of fourteen albums as a leader adds a different sonic presence to the band. Johnson and Bishop have since been the groundbreaking presence in Galper’s rubato revolution, and are the tidal force that allows both Mandyck and Marriott to blast off. Unencumbered by chordal harmony, all four players are equal participants in terms of soloing. The format does put great dependence on the abilities of the bassist and drummer, again stating the importance of the foundational presence of original members Johnson and Bishop. The quartet plays originals from Johnson and Mandyck that are open conduits to exploration. Toss in Marriott’s formidable tunes, and adventurous interpretations of standards and you have Free Fall. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

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