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Wow!  Realized it’s been over a year since the last post.  Not sure if I should even bother but… well, here goes.

It’s been a pretty amazing 15 months or so tbh.  While still in sort of a low level lockdown I managed to get out a few times. Highlights of the last year definitely include playing on Brotzmann’s 80’th celebration. A recording of the set with him and Heather Leigh is scheduled for release on Trost records.  Keep an eye out.  The Ballister tour was also pretty sweet. Along the way we met a lot of old friends and even played with a few of them.  Joe McPhee helped us kick off the tour.  The next night Marshall Allen joined us.  Kind of probably my favorite tour kick-off ever.  

The Ballister tour ended with a short stay in Chicago where I played with a few pals (thanks Tim Daisy, Nick Macri, Charles Rumback, Keefe Jackson, Julian Kirshner) and recorded some solo stuff coming out on HAHA later this year.

Also high on the list were the gigs with “Ear Scratcher”, a new 4tet put together by Elisabeth Harnik.  Dave Rempis and Tim Daisy round out the ensemble.  I hope we do it again.  I also had an amazing time in Antwerp right before Xmas.  Two nights of first meetings with mostly young Belgian players (some quite excellent I might add) and a lightbox concert to close it out.  There was a very nice video of it but I think that was a limited time stream.

Lots of nice one off gigs around the Kingston area as well as NYC and Boston (Driff Fest!).

Recently I went to Bonn and played several nights with Georges-Paul and Roscoe Mitchell.  One night with a number of improvisers from the greater Köln area and two with only Roscoe and GP.  One was a private session, the other public.  Roscoe played a lot of bass sax and did so with as much style as anyone I have ever heard.  Right now I am trying to mix the sessions.  If it’s above my pay grade, am sure someone can make it happen and… look for a release sometime in 2023.  By the way, if you are reading this far, you might also be interested to know that as “Gordon Comstock” I have been building a fairly respectable discogs entry.  😉

And… if you are reading this in time… here’s a couple of upcoming gigs:

Who: Aliya Ultan, Eli Wallace, Lester St Louis, Matt Evans. Charlotte Stickles, Fred Lonberg-Holm
Where: Old Dutch Church, Kingston
When: Saturday, July 23 7PM
What: 3 cellos, piano, percussion, dance
Why: why not?

The night before, I am playing duos with Evan Lindorff-Ellery as a part of buddyfest seven.  Lots of musicians of interest playing.  Info here:
https://m.facebook.com/events/388094209810929?tsid=0.01737584993343766&source=result

After that I am laying low until late August when I am planning on doing a lightbox in Oslo.  Also playing with Fredrick Ljungvist and Lotte Anker.  After that a tour in Germany with Hans Peter Hiby and Camille Emaille.  Look for us!

I hope everyone is hanging in there in spite of all the turmoil in the world.

Keep me posted,

Fred

Me again.  Perhaps talking only to myself.  I used to imagine that when I got old, I might become one of those guys you’d see late night at a diner.  Down at the end of the counter.  Wizened by who knows what.  Nursing a cup of shitty coffee (maybe smoking too – this was back when people would smoke and even indoors!).  Muttering to himself.  Neither friendly nor mean, just lost in his memories.Well… now that I am approaching that age, the world is different than I expected.  I guess this blog is the “modern” version.  Anyway, here I am, coffee in front of me, not at a diner (haven’t been inside a diner in a year now) and am writing (not muttering) to myself.
The last months have been more interesting than I would have imagined.  Am definitely keeping busy.  I slowed down on mask making but still sewing.  Now mostly repairing toys my puppy keeps destroying.  A little bit of a Sisyphusian act but… what the hell?
I’m also painting more.  Actually taking an on-line beginning painting class.  I should have done that years ago.  Having a lot of fun even if I doubt I will make any more still life paintings after it’s over.  🙂  I have some glass works in progress too. 
Of course, music remains my main activity.  I play at least a little every day and spend a lot of time listening to recordings (mine and other folks). 
Since I last wrote, Flying Aspidistra released a nice duo recording with my friend Helena Espvall and a trio EP with the legendary Tristan Honsinger and Josh Zubot.  Tristan has been a hero for many of us for years and years.  I haven’t played with him many times but its always been a great experience.  Was lucky that this set was recorded in glorious stereophonic sound by the Zuchowskis (Thanks for everything Dave and Wendy!).  Tristan made the cover art btw.  He’s been producing a lot of what he calls “cut-outs”.  I think he would sell them if asked nicely.  He’s laying low but contact me and I will see what I can do. 
Footnote… the trio with Tristan wouldn’t have happened if not for the efforts of Tomeka Reid.  I can’t say enough good things about her.  In addition to being an amazingly talented musician, she works as hard (harder?) to shine a light on others than just about any other musician I know.  When I lived in Chicago, we would play duo sets from time to time.  A duo session we did a few years ago is supposed to finally be released on CvsD sometime later this year and I couldn’t be happier about that.
Anyway, you can get both of these recordings (and many other fine ones as well!) at https://flyingaspidistra.bandcamp.com/
 

In addition, I have been on a few other recent releases.  A nice “grab bag” type thing featuring Rob Magill with guests Eugene Chadborne, Dave Rempis, Shaine Scarminach and yours truly.  Also an EP by my old friend (and one time fellow GodCo member) Laura Cromwell.  A little bit ago there was also a trio set with Joao Almeida and Joao Lopes Pereira (my last “electric” gig just about a year ago).  And of course, the newest Mars Williams “Ayler Xmas” disc (and LP).  Its a “battle” between Chicago and NY. 😀  I’m on the NY team this time lol.  That band includes Nels Cline, Hilliard Greene, Chris Corsano, Steve Swell and of course, Mars.  The “other” side features many of my old Chicago friends.  The string section includes Katinka Kline, Peter Maunu, Kent Kessler and Brian Sandstrom so… you know its burning!

Lately I have also been uploading some videos I made in the ’80’s to youtube. My channel is called frknl. It’s at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtppsml2fZvAs42ixNqCRfA if you want to check it out.

And an early warning… RogueArt is releasing a 4tet recording made a month ago here in the Mahicantuck (Hudson) Valley at the super sweet Dreamland studio (pinch me!).  It features Joe McPhee, Michael Bisio, Juma Sultan and myself.  I was privileged to mix it and can say, after many listens, I still love it and am excited for its release.

 In addition, Sima and I continue to deliver meals and groceries to people who need them.  Sometimes its “routine” but other days, the response of some people can be very deep and moving.  Please support your local foodbanks and other mutual assistance programs (here in Kingston we have a couple of “community fridges” where people can leave groceries and meals and others can take them when they need in hopes that no one goes hungry).
So… all considered, it’s not been too dull around here.  I really hope everyone reading this is safe, warm and healthy. 

Thanks for reading my ramble.

Fred

So… several years ago I started an account on Instagram called cellogramjam. I posted a bunch of short clips of cello sounds with the idea that people could scroll around and play different ones (and don’t forget to leave silences!) as a solo or in an ensemble of any number. The intention was to regularly add more clips. I’m not sure why but I abandoned it after a short time.
But… recently I started adding to it again.
Check it out if you are interested. If you can get a few friends to play at once and can make a short video, send it to me and I will gladly post it. The more the merrier (but stay safe while doing so). I might try and organize a zoom version as well so drop me a note if that interests you.
I hope everyone is doing well in spite of the mess that we continue to find ourselves in.
Thanks!

PS – Catalytic Sound, an organization of musicians I am pleased to be a member of, is having a year end sale. Check out the many fine recordings and other items available (https://catalyticsound.com). Consider subscribing while you are at it (https://tinyurl.com/y5add6kz). For now, only members can get my recent recording with Farida Amadou and Simon Camatta (Indelible Spine).