For decades, percussionist Hamid Drake and reedist Ken Vandermark have sustained a partnership founded upon a deep engagement with the history of free jazz. Both within and outside the DKV Trio, their long-running ensemble with bassist Kent Kessler, their improvisations often arise from rhythmic foundations. But they’re also restless explorers, and on Open Border a […]
Tag: DKV Trio
Ken Vandermark, Kent Kessler, and Hamid Drake are back to help improvised music fans release holiday stress
In January the DKV Trio released The Fire Each Time (Not Two), a six-CD box set documenting a string of gigs that percussionist Hamid Drake, bassist Kent Kessler, and reedist Ken Vandermark played with multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee in four different countries during the last two months of 2017. This set—and previous DKV recordings featuring the […]
A renewed focus pays off big for the seasoned jazz musicians of DVK Trio
Drummer Hamid Drake, bassist Kent Kessler, and saxophonist and clarinetist Ken Vandermark have been playing together as DKV Trio since 1994. During their early years, their forceful playing—which was forged and focused by frequent gigging and their ability to improvise cohesive, songlike structures—made them one of the most exciting live acts of any genre to […]
Chicago institution DKV Trio reconvenes for some holiday concerts with multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee
The holiday season in Chicago often means great things for the city’s musical institutions, as local musicians who spend much of their time on the road coalesce in their hometown. Both reedist Ken Vandermark and percussionist Hamid Drake are road dogs, but in December they’re known to come together with longtime collaborator and bassist Kent […]
Hamid Drake drums around the world, but he’s not a star at home
Hamid Drake’s fluid fusion of jazz, reggae, and world-music percussion styles has made him an invaluable part of countless groups.
Reader’s Agenda Tue 12/17: Kanye West, DKV Trio, and The Second City That Never Sleeps
What’s on the Reader‘s Agenda for Tuesday, December 17
Best shows to see: Red Fang, MT Coast, Kanye West, DKV Trio
The best shows to see on Mon 12/16 through Wed 12/18.
This Week in Reader Music
The big news in this week’s music coverage: the Reader has an exclusive clip of a long-lost Jackson Five track that also happens to be Michael’s first professional recording.
Vandermark Salutes Don Cherry
Ken Vandermark premieres his new Don Cherry Project at the Hideout on Wednesday.
The List: December 31-January 6
Critics’ Choices and other notable concerts: Black Keys, Girl Talk, Prefuse 73, Von Freeman, and more