May12

Matt Ulery's Pollinator

Hungry Brain, Chicago, IL

21+. 9pm. Proof of Covid vaccination is required upon entry.

Matt Ulery's Pollinator plays ebullient swing music celebrating the spirit of the roaring 20’s, 100 years later. Ulery brings his stunning compositional prowess to this centennial homage, merging sophisticated composure with ensemble improvisation, making a bold statement about the vitality of this music going into its second century. Harkening back to the instrumentation of the classic New Orleans brass bands of yesteryear, Ulery returns back to his first instrument, the sousaphone. Ulery is joined by his sextet of diverse, prolific players including trumpeter James Davis, tenor saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi, trombonist Steve Duncan, pianist Paul Bedal, and drummer Jon Deitemyer. Pollinator released a record on Ulery’s own Woolgathering Records (LP/CD/Digital) in August of 2020.

Recalling the iconic sounds of King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Lil Hardin, and Duke Ellington, Pollinator is abounding in the infectious grooves and spontaneous group improvisation which Ulery notes are two of the most exciting aspects of the jazz artform to have survived and flourished within the music over the course of the past 100 years. The composer remarks, “With respect, we’d like to present this art project with joy, humor, and sincerity in celebration of the innovators that helped give birth to this revolutionary age of American art music.”

James Davis - trumpet Dustin Laurenzi - tenor Steve Duncan - trombone Paul Bedal - piano Jon Deitemyer - drums Matt Ulery - sousaphone