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Josh Berman

Josh Berman


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Josh Berman is an internationally recognized cornetist and composer. He has led the acclaimed Old Idea, Josh Berman and his Gang, and his own trio. In addition to being an indispensable contributor to Chicago’s jazz and improvised music scene, Berman has been a concert presenter with fellow Chicagoan Mike Reed, producing hundreds of shows over the past 20 years. Berman’s work has been critically acclaimed in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, JazzTimes, and DownBeat, among others. His recordings can be found on the Chicago’s legendary Delmark Records and more recently on Austin’s Astral Spirits Records



James Falzone's KLANG
Other Doors



James Falzone – clarinet
Jason Adasiewicz – vibraphone
Jason Roebke – bass
Tim Daisy – drums
Special Guests
Josh Berman – cornet
Jeb Bishop – trombone
Keefe Jackson – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Fred Lonberg-Holm – cello, electronics


James Falzone’s solo clarinet introduction of “These Foolish Things” to Other Doors invites the music to come. His quartet, Klang, includes vibist Jason Adasiewicz, bassist Jason Roebke and drummer Tim Daisy. Joining the foursome are “special guests” cornetist Josh Berman, trombonist Jeb Bishop, sax and clarinet player Keefe Jackson and cellist Fred Lonberg-holm, who also works electronics. The group focuses on making one inescapable rhythmic statement after another, no matter the tempo.

Even when none of the guest performers are performing, this quartet projects a huge, impenetrable sound. The linking in the resonances among the instruments and the integration of the layering of the voices are responsible. Falzone has not only composed six of the fifteen pieces but also arranged works by composers of the Benny Goodman era, including Goodman, himself.

An obvious conclusion could be that Falzone is looking back. But, to the contrary, Falzone is absolutely in present time, heading forward to demonstrate how music evolves. It swells, caresses and becomes downright orchestral at times, particularly in the Blake/Razaff tune “Memories of You” and the title tune by Falzone. In each, cello, electronics, trombone, bass clarinet and cornet smooth the landscape so that the quartet can negotiate it easily.

Throughout the recording, Falzone juxtaposes pieces with opposing character: like the tender “These Foolish Things” next to a popping, swinging “Breakfast Feud;” or “Rose Room” next to “Memories of You.” Sometimes he combines the dynamics within pieces like his own “Shevitz’s Dream” or “Goodman’s Paradox.” The concluding reprise of the intro parenthetically seals his intentions for the design of the album.

No musician in the quartet misses a solo spot. The music never falters because these instrumentalists are inherently superb precisionists. Falzone put together this music in celebration of Goodman’s 100th birthday for the 2009 Chicago Jazz Festival.


-Lyn Horton, JazzTimes, 2011