https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m4EEvaxJX20YVApPxFyPNKnpx06wfjlWE&si=8MTCPLKHSTq_ildJ

Joe Fonda – bass
Michael Jefry Stevens – piano
Emil Gross – drums
Oliver Lake – saxophone

Recorded:
live at the Bunker Ulmenwall in Bielefeld, Germany on October 30, 2016

Credits:
Co-produced by the Bunker Ulmenwall, Wolfgang Gross, Joe Fonda, Emil Gross and Michael Jefry Stevens
Sound Engineer – Karl Godejohann
Mixed and Mastered by – Karl Godejohann
Special Thanks to Zupan Iztok and Klopotec Records; to Udo Preiss for the idea that became the Generations Quartet; Marek Winiarski for his tireless support of creative music
Cover art by Oliver Lake
Music by Joe Fonda and Michael Jefry Stevens (GEMA)
Music by Oliver Lake (Talkin’ Stick Music –SESAC)
Michael Jefry Stevens is a Steinway Artist

Up until recently the art of Jazz was shared from one generation to the next by way of apprenticeship from master to student. The “bandstand” was the musician’s classroom. This type of tutelage can be witnessed throughout the history of Jazz, from Louis Armstong to the great bands of Ellington and Basie, through the small groups of Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Mingus, Miles Davis and the like. While it is true that this type of apprentice/master relationship still exists today, currently the majority of jazz education in the 21st century takes place in the University classroom.

My own personal jazz education started with listening to records, private lessons, some brief classroom experiences, and then moved primarily to the bandstand. I remember performing with the late great drummer Billy Peoples (Miami) when I was in my early twenties. One of my early “bad habits” was to stomp my feet on the stage as a way to keep time with the music. I remember Billly throwing a drumstick across the bandstand and just missing my head while he yelled at me “I am the drummer”. Needless to say I no longer stomp my feet while playing!!

I have been fortunate to work briefly with several “Masters” beginning with Ira Sullivan and including Charles Moffett Sr., Dave Liebman, Wadada Leo Smith, Mark Whitecage, Dakota Staton, Dom Minasi and many others. The list is long. However, performing over the last several years with Oliver Lake as part of our “Generations Quartet” has been a unique experience for me. Perhaps it is because at the ripe age of 65 I am able to appreciate more fully the mastery of an artist like Oliver Lake. Oliver’s dedication, passion and intensity on the bandstand consistently elevates my own playing to another level. When performing with Oliver (and the rest of the quartet) I experience the Music in a more complete and organic way. This is the gift of a M.......
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