lorenpickford.com
12.03.08 | Current goings on
My trio, "The Oxymorons", with Charlie Gatschet, guitar and Seth Lee on bass is still holding forth every Fri/Sat night from 6:30 PM until 10:30 PM at The Golden Ox Lounge at 1600 Genosee, near Kemper Arena in the "west bottoms" (the old Kansas City stockyards). The Golden Ox is WHY Kansas City is famous for it's steaks and Bar B Q, has a friendly, comfortable, casual jazz atmosphere, a great friendly staff, no cover charge and is the best place in KC to relax, hang out and hear some great jazz, blues and Tom Waits style, urban raps on these cold winter nights. I also will be playing two Jardine's "late night" gigs a month in Jan, Feb and March with singer/trombonist extrordinaire, Brienn Perry, grooving B3 organist Everett Divan on some, with piano great, Dan Deluca on others. Those are on Fri nights from 11:30 PM until 2:30 AM (check Gigs section for dates).
Someone has written and asked me about my influences again. On alto, they are Charlie Parker and Frank Strozier period. I love many players but those are the two that made me want to play alto in the first place and are still, who I listen to every day. I understand that Frank Strozier quit playing alto and flute years ago, switched to piano and then retired entirely from the music scene. Sometimes when I think of the truly innovative and great players I have heard in cities across America, who are totally or only slightly known in the jazz world but lack the self-marketing, schmoozing industry people skills or whatever, I have to conclude that the famous players the public is aware of may not necesarily be the best the music has to offer in every case. It is certainly true of the great Frank Strozier. He had it all, a beautiful, advanced harmonic conception, sound, speed and soul. Check his CDs that are still available on the net. What can anyone say about Charlie Parker? I saw some review of a record he made with a Swedish pianist that came out recently, only got 3 stars from the reviewer (who is undoubtedly in his 30s and still has his Grateful Dead records under his bed. How could any record of Bird's only get 3 stars? No real ears....that's how ! Years ago, a great poet in my home town, Chuck Moulton told me that "Wanting a piece of America (meaning fame, money etc).."is like wanting a bite out of a dead horse!". Considering the present financial collapse...he may have been right after all. A friend of mine was riding with Chuck on the back of his big German motorcycle, at 85 mph, when all of Chuck's writings suddenly flew out of his saddlebags and scattered in the vineyards. Chuck turned around and said " That's OK....there's plenty more where those came from!!" and kept on going.
Well yeh... there is reason to continue when you are connected to your own creative source. That very connection is why most artists continue to produce work whether it is ever recognized or not. So. I am a proponet of just making music for the same reason the birds sing. The rest is fluff! You who dropped by this site....out there in the immensity of America and the world....thanks for dropping by and come back sometime. I am still unexplicabaly living and working in KCMO....watching my fourth winter (since fleeing Katrina), come on with its ice, snow and cold dropping from those gray mid western skies. My New Orleans friends....I'll see you at my gig at Dos Jefes on Jan 1 ,2009 with Todd and Pete..and we will have us a time! Stay cool. y'all...dont get jumpy and play by ear.. LP
06.07.07 | Jazz Ambassadors Magazine Article
Loren is one of four Kansas City Area Saxophonists featured in this month's issue of "Jam" magazine. Pick up a copy today to learn more.
10.10.06 | Loren Pickford Quartet tour schedule.
Here is the schedule for Loren's upcoming tour.
1027 Erato Wines, St. Louis, MO. 9 p.m.
1028 Brandt's Cafe, St. Louis, MO. 8 p.m.
1029 Cafe Soul, Memphis, TN. 3 p.m.
111 Snug Harbor, New Orleans, LA 9&11 p.m.
112 Clinic N.O.C.C.A., New Orleans, LA. 2:30 p.m.
112 Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar, New Orleans, LA. 9 p.m.
09.07.06 | Loren Pickford Quartet - Tour Press Release.
THE KANSAS CITY – NEW ORLEANS COOPERATIVE
THE LOREN PICKFORD QUARTET
6637 Virginia Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64131
816.569.3227
816.872.8408
coop@micahherman.com
Press Release
Contact: Micah Herman
Phone: (816) 569-3227,(816)872-8408
micah@micahherman.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 A.M. CDT, September 4th, 2006
LOREN PICKFORD QUARTET TO EMBARK ON “HOMECOMING TOUR” TO VISIT NEW ORLEANS
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, SEPTEMBER 4TH 2006: Legendary alto saxophonist Loren Pickford will be going on tour with his quartet at the end of October. The tour will feature stops in St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Lafayette, LA, and Little Rock. The quartet is comprised of two converted Kansas City native sons, John Brewer (piano) and Micah Herman (Upright Bass). Brewer and Herman, who spent a considerable portion of the last ten years in the Crescent City, developed their musical styles and began their collaboration in New Orleans. They are joined by Brandon Draper (Drums), a recent addition to the Kansas City scene via New Mexico. The group primarily performs music written by Loren and pianist John Brewer, although recent sets have been known to include everything from Professor Longhair to Charlie Parker, and even some Tom Waits - soulfully sung by Loren. The wide range of material that they have at their disposal makes for some very interesting sets.
BLUE ROOM – SEPTEMBER 14TH, 7:00 P.M.
The quartet will be making several appearances in Kansas City leading up to the tour. On September 14th they will perform at the Blue Room on 18th and Vine. The group is also a recipient of the Jazz foundation of America’s “Jazz in the Schools Program” grant. Through the grant, the quartet will give concerts in Kansas City Area Schools at the end of September. They will be joined by legendary upright bassist and guitarist Bill Huntington, a native New Orleanian. They also plan to continue hosting the Sunday Night Jam at Y.J.’s Snack Bar, 8 p.m. - 12 a.m., as well as doing several other as yet unscheduled performances to raise money for the tour. For complete information on the tour schedule and any local performances please visit www.lorenpickford.com, www.johnbrewermusic.com, or www.micahherman.com.
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