May always brings about some very exceptional moments. As is the case almost every year, it is the month when creative music fans congregate to a smallish town in Quebec known as Victoriaville and witness one of the greatest music festivals in North America; FIMAV (Festival Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville). This year, some of the highlights will be Meredith Monk, Marshall Allen with The Ratchet Orchestra, a quartet of Richard Pinhas, Keiji Haino, Merzbow, and Tatsuta Yoshida, a duo of Fred Frith and Evan Parker, Ken Vandermark’s Audio One Ensemble, Evan Parker Septet, Maja Ratke, and Fred Frith’s Gravity Band!!! Yeah, I’ll have a good time.

Almost immediately after I return from Victo there are two shows of note, both in the northeastern parts of Florida.

 Friday, May 23rd, as part of the Truth Is Marching In: an Albert Ayler Commemoration, itself a part of the Jacksonville Jazz Fest After Dark series, I’ll be presenting an interpretation of the Ayler composition Bells performed by the quartet version of Gatto Pazzo (myself on saxophones, Kris Gruda on guitar and devices, Evan Shafran on percussion and trumpet, and A.J. Herring on trombone). I’ve always felt that Bells was a composition based upon feel. With the extended range of Gatto Pazzo and adding A.J. in the mix, I felt we could really do it justice. It will be part of a three night commemoration at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum beginning at 10pm each night. Also performing over the course of the three nights: Jamison Williams, Dan Kozak, Lenni Bukowski, Michael Lenier, Bill Henderson and Jason Dean Arnold.

Speaking of Gatto Pazzo, we have a new CD and digital download out called The Buffalo (in 42 parts). It can be listened to as it was performed, as a one take improvisation, or you can set your CD player to shuffle and create your own bison folklore. We suggest the latter listening experience. Get it at the show or buy it (or download it or just listen to it) here.

The following night, Saturday, May 24th, in the confines of Saint Augustine’s merriment known as Nobby’s, The Delusionaires will once again take the stage; this time sharing the stage with a dream team of acts: The Harmonious Fists (!), The Wildtones (!) and D.J. Dots(!!). This will be one for the ages…

This show will be the release party for our new 45 rpm called The Scump, out on Hidden Volume Records, with cover art by Stainboy! Of course it would have to be on lovely pink vinyl. Get it at the show or through Hidden Volume. Limited to 300 copies, it won’t last long.