The James Carney Group is Tony Malaby, Chris Lightcap, Mark Ferber, Josh Roseman, Ralph Alessi, Peter Epstein. Other amazing collaborators include Tim Berne, Kris Davis, Tom Rainey, Eivind Opsvik, Gerald Cleaver, David Binney, Jonathan Finlayson, Ted Poor, Jerome Sabbagh, Matt Clohesy, Shane Endsley, Tyshawn Sorey, Ravi Coltrane, Dan Weiss, Ches Smith, Michael Sarin, Matt Pavolka. From my years in Los Angeles: Dan Morris, Todd Sickafoose, Dan Lutz, Darek "Oles" Oleszkiewicz, Larry Koonse, Chuck Manning, Scott Mayo, Pedro Eustache, Deron Johnson, Ben Wendel, Dave Shaffer, Alex Cline, Nels Cline, Bob Sheppard.
NEW CD "Ways & Means" [Songlines 1580] to be released July 14, 2009...Advance tracks at www.jamescarney.net
"Mr. Carney is a sharp pianist and a broadly imaginative conceptualist and composer.” -The New York Times.
Pianist, keyboardist and composer James Carney is an improviser who draws inspiration from many different sources of music, and he has been fortunate to work as a sideman/collaborator with unique artists like Ravi Coltrane, Tim Berne, Christian McBride, Michael Cain, Elliot Randall, Darek Oleszkiewicz, Nels Cline, and many other musicians. Carney was born and raised in Syracuse, New York, and in late 2004, he moved from Los Angeles, his home of eighteen years, to New York City.
James Carney has cultivated a reputation for developing an original, polystylistic approach to making music - a philosophy that respects and explores both tradition and the avant-garde. His latest album as leader, "Green-Wood" (Songlines 1566) was released in 2007 to wide acclaim. The septet he leads on the recording, also known as the James Carney Group, features some of New York’s most creative and in-demand musicians: trumpeter Ralph Alessi, tenor saxophonist Tony Malaby, trombonist Josh Roseman, saxophonist Peter Epstein, bassist Chris Lightcap, and drummer Mark Ferber.
Tim Berne's former flack Nate Chinen hit you with some good press this weekend in the NY Times. Will pick up the new one in one form or another; might have to download it. The Mrs sees the piles of cds of a sign of my profligacy- don't ask...
i know i'm late to the party, but - green-wood is brilliant, jim! great writing that sounds more and more distinctive every time, the swirly, potent band, the 66 min generous serving. "shame" is glorious. i had to check the old records to see that you really had never recorded "half the battle". that's been a classic for years. geez the whole thing is really beautiful. for those reading the comments who haven't heard it yet - get yourself a copy...!
jc, i might be going to see leon russell in greensboro, nc on friday (noticed him in your top friends). ever make it down to the carolinas? one of my buddies plays keys in the band. hope all is well. keep making wicked music!
James, my son....let me lead you down the road of wrack and ruin just one more time....August 17th, come to the salt land to see the big show...a big fat chicken is coming home to roost.
Happy holidays, Jim. Wish I were there to hear you guys play, see the lights and ice skaters and windows. New York at Christmas is the place to be! All the best, Jane
