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Claudia Quintet on the Highway of Love

Shrink-wrapped chocolates returned to pharmacy shelves across the nation last week as a freezing America turns its thoughts to candy and true love. But for Jozen Cummings, every day is Valentine’s Day. Cummings is the voice of Until I Get Married, a web diary of modern bachelorhood as told by a relationship expert. Last week he brought the stylish, certifiably brilliant Jason Moran onboard to curate a list of the five best jazz albums to play while you’re making out (“ol’-fashion style”). Guess who got number three?

Now, if Royal Toast doesn’t seem offhand too libido-stoking, that’s because, as Moran puts it,

“This is taking the soul aesthetic and then running it through a conservatory and then running it through a PhD, but it’s still soulful too, kind of like these chefs who strain their sauces two or three times.”

Right? Honor Roll Soul. Soul au Jus. Unexpectedly, certifiably romantic.

Turns out not everyone agrees with Moran. I won’t spoil the story, just the setup:

“John Hollenbeck, he’s also a very funny dude who feels very comfortable talking to his audience. He was telling me this story: After one of these gigs, a woman came up to him, gave him a note, and walked away…”

Reap the wisdom so hard won by John & Jason at The Until I Get Married Guide to Jazz.

Have you seen John, Musically?

Has John Hollenbeck set off a love reaction in your life? Does Claudia Quintet put you in the mood for makeouts? Drop us a line at johnhollenwebpr@gmail.com, or flag down our Twitter bird, @john_hollenbeck Don’t forget to consult our Live page to make sure you’re not missing out on any great upcoming John Hollenbeck action near you.

These words have been brought to you by Sir Jacques, Chronicler of John, to whom JH has ceded control of his online persona. All queries, complaints, kind remarks and general feedback regarding this blog may be directed to johnhollenwebpr@gmail.com

-JS

Where to find John Hollenbeck

NOW

1) Today John’s in Paris, studying Mondrian at this Centre Pompidou exhibit. He’s working on a piece for the University of the Arts in Philadelphia based on Mondrian’s Parisian days. The work debuts at UArts’ Merriam Theatre on MARCH 1.

THE REST OF THE MONTH

2) From next week ’till the end of the month, John will be at der Universität Luzern, teaching Lucerniacs the secrets of composition, improvisation, and performing in the streets of Switzerland without the use of a large rubber mask.

WAY LATER, IN A COUPLE MONTHS

3) As the post below describes in deep neon, March 1st John returns to his homeland of New York State to organize the 18 musicians of the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble into seating arrangements on his 12-person private blimp. They will be meeting onstage at The Standard, once at 730pm, then again at 930pm. The public is encouraged to spectate as the musicians battle for seats on the six-hour flight.

4) All other inquiries about John’s whereabouts are likely answered by the LIVE page.

HAVE YOU SEEN JOHN, MUSICALLY?

5) These words have been brought to you by Sir Jacques, Chronicler of John, to whom JH has ceded control of his online persona. All queries, complaints, kind remarks and general feedback regarding this blog may be directed to johnhollenwebpr@gmail.com

And now, an important message: We’re looking for everyone with photos, videos, audio recordings, watercolors, sketches, blog posts or text messages about seeing John perform live. This material helps us build our database of John Hollenbeck Moments and provides a rare chance to show the world what John looks like from where you’re sitting.  Email us at (once more, for emphasis) johnhollenwebpr@gmail.com

Please join us again next week for the latest in all things Hollenbeck.

-JS

Upcoming…

18-Piece John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble in NYC at Jazz Standard March 1

Plus JHLE tours 5 West Coast cities March 2-7

* * Performances in Seattle, WA; Salem, OR; Fresno, Palo Alto and Los Angeles, CA * *

“…Hollenbeck is taking the big band into the future. ” — Chris Barton, LA Times

“Profound, imaginative, well-developed pieces for 20 musicians, grown out of jazz and classical music, built around soloists but never subservient to them. As a big-band jazz composer, Mr. Hollenbeck was already good; now he’s become great.” — Ben Ratliff, NY Times

“John is one of the most brilliant musicians I’ve had the privilege of working with.” — Meredith Monk

Go to LIVE for SHOW DETAILS

Go to ABOUT for PRESS RELEASE & PROMO Downloads