selected performances

Mars Williams presents: An Ayler Xmas Vol. 5
Live at Constellation

Mars Williams – Sax, Suona,Toy Instruments
Josh Berman – Cornet
Jim Baker – Piano, Viola, Arp Synth
Brian Sandstrom – Bass, Guitar, Trumpet
Steve Hunt – Drums
Krzysztof Pabian – Bass
Peter Maunu – Guitar, Violin

“For these memorable concerts, Williams merges a variety of Christmas songs with the indelible repertoire of free-jazz titan Ayler, who brought a scalding intensity to tunes rooted in gospel and spirituals. It may sound silly, but the performances are no joke, and they produce a seriously joyful noise. The band tackles warhorses like “O Tannenbaum” and “12 Days of Christmas” in the same smoldering fashion as their take on Ayler: the rhythm section bubbles and generates a kind of levitating intensity during the wonderfully expressive, multilinear theme statements, while the horns state familiar melodies in loose cries and the embellished lines of each player pull apart and coalesce in a naturalistic frenzy. Williams designs clever medleys that appropriate the pulse and feel of particular Ayler tunes as the band rips through a greatest-hits lineup of holiday tracks.”
Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader