Patrick Ketter -- oboe, saxophone, English Horn, bass clarinet; Nick Howell -- Trumpet; Ben Leifer -- bass; Sam Wisman -- drums; Jake Blanton -- Guitar
Influences
Ornette Coleman; Bobby Watson; Michael Carvin; Charles Mingus; Eric Dolphy; Don Cherry; Maurice Ravel; Avishai Cohen; Joe Lovano; Chet Baker; Wayne Shorter; John Coltrane; Miles Davis; Bill Evans; Gil Evans; Cannonball Adderley; Stanton Moore; Woody Shaw; Paul McCandless; Oregon; Simon and Garfunkel; Aaron Copland; Nick Howell; Patrick Ketter; Adam Kabak; Kevin Cerovich...
Jerome and The Townspeople is a jazz ensemble est. 2006, in Kansas City, MO, by Patrick Ketter, Nick Howell, Adam Kabak, and Kevin Cerovich.
Wait, who is Jerome? Jerome is a frog from a book called "Jerome" by Philip Ressner/ illustrated by Jerome Snyder. Through his "princely deeds" his artistic direction has inspired The Townspeople to play/write/live jazz from the earth to the earth. 80% of their music is entirely original -- composed/ arranged primarily by Patrick Ketter, Nick Howell, and Kevin Cerovich. The format of the band (in the beginning) and the attitude of the music are reminiscent of the Ornette Coleman quartet of the 1960's. Melodies and harmonies are carefully combined to create an environment for the freedom of adventuresome improvisation.
Who are The Townspeople? Nick Howell (trumpet), and Patrick Ketter (woodwinds) have been subjects of Prince Jerome from the beginning. Adam Kabak (bass) and Kevin Cerovich (drums) left for NYC in June of 2008. Since then, Jerome has granted "green cards" to drummers Sam Wisman, Pat Adams, Arnold Young and Michael Shanks; Bassists Ben Leifer, Seth Lee, Jeff Harshbarger, Micah Hermon and Zach Beeson; and guitarists Jake Blanton and Matt Hopper. You will see them most regularly with Sam Wisman, Ben Leifer, and Jake Blanton these days.
They began playing publicly at YJ's Snack Bar (18th and Wyandott KC, MO) on Wednesday nights in the summer of 2007. Since then they have become a monthly mainstay at Jardine's Restaurant and Bar (4536 Main KC, MO). Jerome has also played the Crossroads Music Festival 2008 @ the Jp Winebar, and performed @ the Recordbar as a part of Jeff Harshbarger's Alternative Jazz Series.
Thanks to Hank Eddens for creating our frog/dragon posters.
Awesome music! I wish I was still close to KC so I could come out and see you guys! I might have to make a special trip down there! Muah! Keep spreading ur musical word!
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