School Days

The group was formed in the Spring of 2000. Originally a quartet put together by Ken Vandermark, the ensemble was expanded in the fall of that year in order to add the Swedish vibist Kjell Nordeson to the ensemble. Esthetically, the band derives much of its inspiration from the classic ensembles of the 1960s free-jazz period in the United States, groups like Ornette Coleman’s Quartet, Cecil Taylor’s Units, and Archie Shepp’s New York Contemporary Five. The ensemble also builds on developments that have occurred in improvised music during the years since then, however. The work of Peter Brotzmann, Misha Mengelberg, Evan Parker, and Anthony Braxton has made an important impact on the ensemble; which has resulted in an approach to improvised music that is compositionally based, but highly spontaneous, containing a tremendous open ended rhythmic and melodic intensity. Currently inactive.