monktail creative music concern: Recent Episodes
monktail creative music concern
Jazz: The 2nd Century Series: A Consecutive Sequence / Hound Dog Taylor’s Hand July 28 @ 8:00 pm Chapel Performance Space Tickets
Monktailfest: Moraine, The Futhers play Zappa/Sabbath, special guests at LoFi, 11/1, 8PM [note new date-was previously 10/29] Monktail Creative Music Concern presents Monktailfest – Celebrating 15 years of Music & Community MORAINE – Moraine is a shape-shifting Seattle-based instrumental quintet led by guitarist Dennis Rea and featuring ace instrumentalists Alicia DeJoie (violin), James DeJoie (woodwinds), […]
Monktail Creative Music Concern presents Monktailfest – Celebrating 15 years of Music & Community Gamelan Music of Stephen Fandrich John Seman & Mark Ostrowski duets/solos Thursday, October 22 8pm Chapel Performance Space at Good Shepherd Center 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, Washington 98103
Monktail Creative Music Concern presents Monktailfest – Celebrating 15 years of Music & Community Hound Dog Taylor’s Hand Jeffery Taylor, John Seman, Mark Ostrowski Tierra Magos Sam Yoda, Nicolas Gonzalez, David Davila Evan Flory-Barnes Wednesday, October 14 8pm LoFi Seattle 429 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, Washington 98109
Monktail Creative Music Concern presents Monktailfest – Celebrating 15 years of Music & Community NON GRATA is the flagship big band of Seattle’s rabble rousing Monktail Creative Music Concern. Celebrating 15 years of improvised mayhem, Monktail founders bassist John Seman and drummer Mark Ostrowski have whipped up an orchestra of fiery NW legends for this […]
Monktail Creative Music Concern presents Monktailfest – Celebrating 15 years of Music & Community KBCS DJs and co-hosts of Flotation Device Jonathan Lawson and John Seman play records and host soloists/small ensembles featuring Lori Goldston, Syrinx Effect, Heaney/Henneman/Rea Guitar Threesome and other special guests Thursday, October 1at 8pm Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar 1508 […]
Monktail Creative Music Concern presents Monktailfest – Celebrating 15 years of Music & Community Mark Ostrowski’s JUSTIFIED REMAINS (Mark Ostrowski-drums / John Seman-bass / Simon Henneman-guitar) NEIL WELCH, saxophone / Dio Jean-Baptiste, drums / Carmen Rothwell, bass WALRUS MACHINE (James McLallen, saxophone and company) Thursday, September 24 8pm Blue Moon Tavern 712 NE 45th […]
Monktail Creative Music Concern presents Monktailfest – Celebrating 15 years of Music + Community Zero-G Concerts at the Chapel: Ask The Ages and Spite House Band Friday, September 18 8:00pm Chapel Performance Space at Good Shepherd Center 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, Washington 98103 Spite House Band (8pm) The Spite House Band blossomed out of […]
Monktail Anniversary Fest Celebrating 15 Years of Music + Community 9/1 Triple Door Musicquarium: John Seman’s Lil Coop Quintet 8pm 9/18 Zero-G Concerts at the Chapel: Ask The Ages, Stephen Fandrich 8pm 9/24 Blue Moon: Mark Ostrowski’s Justified Remains, Neil Welch, Walrus Machine 9pm 10/1 Vermillion: Flotation Device Live (KBCS DJs Jonathan Lawson & John […]
Daughters of the Lonesome Isle is John Seman, contrabass; Wally Shoup, alto sax; Bill Horist, guitar and Vietnamese moon lute; Scott Adams, accordion; Bob Rees, vibraphone and percussion; Greg Campbell, tuba, cornet, and percussion. Recorded live by John Seman at Lo-Fi Seattle 2015/04/15 for Zero-G Concerts
Musicians from Monktail Creative Music Concern, Geist and the Sacred Ensemble, Ask The Ages, and Diminished Men celebrate Sam’s & Omaima’s 100th birthdays (ha!) and Mother’s Day The Futhers : John Seman bass, Simon Henneman and Brian Heaney guitars, Mark Ostrowski drums -play music by The Mothers and Frank Zappa Albert Fish 4: Simon Henneman, […]
Non Grata recording sessions, July 2002 Monktail Creative Music Concern – NON GRATA Stephen Parris discusses art prepared by Mark Ostrowski for Special O.P.S. Requiem for NYC and Ostrowski/Seman duets and solos CD-R packaging, November 2001, Seattle. Special O.P.S. Requiem for NYC
Hound Dog Taylor’s Hand “Live at the Comet” by Hound Dog Taylor’s Hand First ever release by Seattle’s secret weapon against the tech squares and yuppie droolers! Jeffery Taylor (Climax Golden Twins) spins tall 6-string tales with his guitar and the crowd bows down before an ascended master. Vets of the NW improv-wars, Mark Ostrowski,and […]
Ask The Ages, Heaney/Henneman/Rea Guitar Threesome, OhhoohHo at Lofi Front Room Wednesday, December 10, 8pm LoFi Performance Gallery 429 Eastlake Ave E # B, Seattle Ask The Ages host an evening of new music and free improvisation. Ask The Ages play in the spirit of Alice Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders, Sun Ra, and perform the music of […]
John Seman’s Lil Coop Quintet recorded at the 2014 Earshot Jazz Fest, Seattle. Robby Beasley, trumpet; Kate Olson, tenor sax; Stephen Fandrich, piano; Tom Zgonc, drums; John Seman, bass, compositions.
Lil Coop performs music by John Seman (double bass) with Stephen Fandrich (piano), Robby Beasley (trumpet), Kate Olson (sax), and Tommy Zgonc (drums). Tickets available here. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE, 8PM John Seman’s Lil Coop Quintet Gregg Belisle-Chi $14 general; $12 members & seniors; $7 students & veterans Bassist, composer, archivist and advocate […]
John Seman’s Lil Coop featured on Sonarchy Radio, KEXP 90.3 FM and kexp.org Live Performances from the Seattle Underground, Pacific Northwest Sunday, September 14 Midnight-1am New compositions from the bassist John Seman, with Stephen Fandrich – piano, Mark Ostrowski – drums, Billy Monto – alto / tenor sax, Darian Asplund – tenor sax and Robby […]
Simon Henneman and Monktail Creative Music Concern present debut performance of the Meridian Big Band & Simon Henneman Quartet record release, Saturday, September 20, 2014. Monktail Creative Music Concern presents one night of compositions by multi-instrumentalist/ composer Simon Henneman at the Josephine in Ballard, on Saturday, September 20th at 7:00 pm. The evening begins with […]
The Tuesday night Monktail Spitehouse series has ended. Respect and thanks to the organizers and all who participated. Peace, MCMC
Monktail Creative Music Concern Presents: Ton Trio II Ask The Ages Stephen Fandrich Monday, June 30, 8pm Royal Room Ton Trio II features Aram Shelton on alto saxophone, Scott Brown on bass, and Alex Vittum on drums. They are an avant/modern jazz trio that thrive in and out of conventional structure. Drawing from Shelton’s bright […]
Radio Plutus, a new film by Steve Demas, is playing as a part of ALT World at the 2014 Seattle International Film Festival. Starring DJ Hubba Hubba, Doug Lane, Mark Ostrowski. Music by Hound Dog Taylor’s Hand and Figeater. May 22, 2014 – 9:00 PM – SIFF Cinema Uptown
Third Annual NW Folklife Creative Music Spotlight Friday, May 23 – Seattle Center Theater – 7-10pm Featuring performances by: 7:00 – Bill Horist and Doug Haire 7:35 – Beth Fleenor Workshop Ensemble 8:15 – Seattle Bass Trio: Geoff Harper, PK, John Seman 8:50 […]
Shoup-Seman-Henneman at MAGMAFEST 2014 Good Shepherd Chapel, Seattle, WA 2014/03/13 Wally Shoup alto, John Seman double bass, Simon Henneman bass vi recording by Henneman, audio tweak and video by Seman
Ask The Ages: Brian Heaney guitar, Kate Olson sax, Stephen Bell vibes, John Seman bass, Greg Campbell drums recorded 2014/02/23 at The Can Can, Pike Place Market, Seattle
Eric Barber sax, Bob Rees vibes, John Seman bass, Tom Zgonc drums. Recorded at Lucid for Zero-G Concerts, Seattle 2014/02/13.
2013/12/20 / Gallery 1412 / Seattle set one 1- John Brennan (VAN) drums, Wally Shoup alto, Bob Rees vibes, Dennis Rea guitar, John Seman bass set two 1- (9:19) Bob Rees vibes, Dennis Rea guitar, Don Berman drums 2- (6:00) Wally Shoup alto, John Seman bass, Mark Ostrowski drums 3- (8:00) John Brennan drums 4- […]
Stephen Fandrich, piano Featured on Sonarchy Radio Produced by Jack Straw Studios Engineered by Doug Haire Broadcast Sunday evening at midnight, September 15th on KEXP 90.3 Recorded June 1st 2013 before a live studio audience at Jack Straw Studios, Seattle Wa. Crepuscule with Nellie by Thelonious Monk “Crepuscule” is French for twilight. Different recordings of […]
Soundtrack to the SIFF short film Radio Minos by Steve Demas Performed by Hound Dog Taylor’s Hand Jeffrey Taylor – electric guitar Mark Ostrowski – drums PK – electric bass
Monktail @ ETG, 27 August 2013 edition. Featuring an opening set from Downbearing [Fandrich/Ostrowski], main set organized by saxophonist Eric Barber with Naomi Siegel on trombone, John Seman on bass, Tom Zgonc on drums, and a third set of improvisations.
Monktail @ ETG, 13 August 2013 edition. Featuring a 20 minute solo performance by Bill Monto followed by 90 minutes of free improvisation featuring Paul Hoskin, Dick Valentine, Jeremy Shaskus, Bill Monto, Sam Yoder, Mark Ostrowski, John Seman and others. Image by Martha Dunham.
Ask The Ages recorded live at Seattle’s historic Blue Moon Tavern, Sunday August 18, 2013. Second show of a new monthly residency every third Sunday. Brian Heaney, guitar; Kate Olson, soprano sax; Stephen Bell, vibes; John Seman, bass; Greg Campbell, drums.
Eric Barber, tenor and soprano saxophones; PK, electric bass; Mark Ostrowski, drums. Recorded at Monktail @ ETG Tuesday night residency, July 23, 2013.
Ask The Ages recorded live at Seattle’s historic Blue Moon Tavern, Sunday July 21, 2013. First show of a new monthly residency every third Sunday. Brian Heaney, guitar; Kate Olson, soprano sax; Stephen Bell, vibes; John Seman, bass; Greg Campbell, drums. Special Guest Michael Monhart, tenor sax on set one.
Sounds Outside 2009: Bert Wilson and Rebirth (Nancy Curtis, Craig Hoyer, Mike Barnett, Greg Campbell) with guests Ariel Calabria, Craig Flory, Sam Boshnack, Chris Credit, Beth Fleenor, Izaak Mills Beth Fleenor with Bert Wilson and Dee Dee Rainbow at Sounds Outside, Cal Anderson Park, August 15, 2009
MCMC presents Zachary Watkins/Marshall Trammell/Black Spirituals (OAK) Fandrich/Seman/Ostrowski Trio (MCMC) Jonathan James Carr/Kaori Suzuki (MEM) Gallery 1412, Friday, June 14, 8pm. Black Spirituals features a new tradition in conversant duo vernacular utilizing electronics, and heavy-heavy percussion. Watkins’ tunes his fragile circuits as performance developing resonance and as a percussionist, Marshall Trammell explores folkloric […]
Borne out of history, cultivated by study, updated by an all-inclusive generation of young players, the new jazz movement is making unprecedented music accessible. by Jonathan Zwickel, City Arts
RADIO MINOS Archival footage and a jazzy soundtrack contrast with modern dark humor A film by Steve Demas, MCMC resident film guy Featuring Doug Lane, Mark Ostrowski, DJ Hubba Hubba Music by Hound Dog Taylor’s Hand (Jeffrey Taylor & Mark Ostrowski with PK) Playing as a part of ALT Shorts: Strange animations, cinematic explorations, and […]
John Seman’s Lil Coop Nonet at Zero-G, Comet Tavern, 19 May 2013. Billy Monto, Darian Asplund, Dick Valentine, Jeremy Shaskus – saxophones; Robby Beasley – trumpet; Stephen Fandrich – Fender Rhodes; Sam Yoder – percussion; Mark Ostrowski – drums; John Seman – double bass
Organized by MCMC. Featuring Moraine, MetriLodic, Ronin 4, Simon Henneman Quartet, John Seman’s Lil Coop Sextet Simon Henneman Quartet 7:00 PM-7:30 PM Moraine 7:40 PM-8:10 PM Ronin 4 8:15 PM-8:45 PM Eric Barber’s MetriLodic 8:50 PM-9:20 PM John Seman’s Lil Coop Sextet 9:30 PM-10:00 PM Friday May 24, 7-10pm Seattle Center Theater Recording […]
Deal Rides Again… at the Zero-G Concert Series We are proud to present Deal’s Number at the Zero-G Concert Series. May 2nd, 8 pm, Lucid Lounge. Also performing are Syrinx Effect with Kate Olson and Naomi Siegel. They are awesome! Very famous. You don’t want to miss it. The longest running Monktail contingent in […]
Lil Coop Sextet 2013/01/03 at first 2013 Zero-G, Lucid, Seattle. Robby Beasley: trumpet; Darian Asplund: alto; Bill Monto: tenor; Stephen Fandrich: Rhodes; Mark Ostrowski: drums; John Seman: double bass Set: Nipples, Spikey’s Tune, Medlenno, LG, Lil Coop
As part of the 2012 Earshot Jazz Film Festival, Monktail Creative Music Concern and Northwest Film Forum present another evening of live collaborative media experiments. Some of the area’s most talented musicians will play in and alongside a number of pioneering short films by Northwest filmmakers. Wednesday, October 24, 7pm at NWFF. With performances […]
John Seman’s Lil Coop Sextet Live at The Electric Tea Garden, Seattle MCMC Tuesdays 2012/07/31 Robby Beasley: trumpet; Darian Asplund: flute and tenor saxophone; Bill Monto: alto and tenor saxophones; Stephen Fandrich: Rhodes; Mark Ostrowski: drums; John Seman: double bass, tunes Tunes: [Set One] Spikey’s Tune, The Pale King, Pinocchio (W.Shorter), LG, [Set Two] Medlenno, Show […]
Bill Monto, tenor saxophone; Steve Parris, electric guitar; John Seman, double bass; Dave Abramson, drums. June 16, 2012 around midnight, live at Jack Straw, Seattle, WA.
Stephen Parris Farewell Concert Special O.P.S. Honorable Discharge Non Grata and special guest Italian guitarist Dario Elia Frankly Mondays – The Royal Room July 30 – 8pm – no cover The Frankly Mondays series at the Royal Room features a very special evening of merriment with the Monktail Creative Music Concern. Guitarist Stephen Parris, a […]
Monktail @ ETG Live Improvisation on the east corner of Pike and 14th Ave. Resident DJ Shonuff spinning in-between sets Tuesday Nights 8pm Beginning July 31st 2012, with John Seman’s Lil Coop Sextet. Featuring monthly residencies of Don Berman, Denny Goodhew with Mark Oi and Adam Kessler, Beth Fleenor, Eric Barber, Simon Henneman, Kate Olsen, […]
SPECIAL O.P.S. Mark Ostrowski – drums Stephen Parris – guitar John Seman – double bass Zero-G Concert Series Mars Bar, Seattle, April 21, 2011
NW Folklife 2012 Friday, May 25, 7-10 PM Past to the Future: A Legacy of Improvised Music in the Northwest Curated by the Monktail Creative Music Concern and Table + Chairs Featuring long-time vanguards of the Seattle creative music scene as well as musicians on the front line of new music in Northwest, this showcase […]
CHOICE OF MEAT (6 bass + 2 drums) [Scott Adams, Simon Henneman, Ken Jacobson, David Milford, Steve Parris, John Seman with Dave Abramson and Mark Ostrowski] DEAD HOT (Jeff Huston and Izaak Mills) DENNIS & THE REANIERS (Dennis Rea, John Seman, Tom Zgonc) WED MARCH 21 at the COMET 9PM
Monktail Creative Music Concern presents MCMC Composers Series, Vol. 9: Stephen Parris, Gust Burns, Bill Monto Friday March 9, 8pm Good Shepherd Chapel 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle Stephen Parris: Ghost Leg (3 movements) – Performed by Adrienne Varner. Aleatoric Etude for Overtones – Performed by Stephen Fandrich. “March of the Infidels” and “Stinky Neck Cheese” […]
Dennis and the Reaniers (Dennis Rea/John Seman/Tom Zgonc) WA (Simon Henneman/Greg Kepplinger) Bill Horist Rat and Raven 5260 University Way NE 2/22, 8pm, $5
Apropos of this photo, here are the two complete sets as performed by Non Grata at the Blue Moon on 14 November 2003. All improvised with the notable exceptions of some Zappa in set one, a 20 minute Sun Ra workout and a 10 minute Whole Lotta Love (?!) in an extra long set two. […]
Billy Monto – tenor sax Mark Ostrowski – drums John Seman – bass, composer Stephen Fandrich – piano
Jack Straw Productions and Washington Composer Forum present Composer Spotlight: STEPHEN PARRIS Monktail Creative Music Concern Wednesday, January 11, 7:30pm – Jack Straw Productions Saturday, January 21, 8:00pm – Good Shepherd Chapel, Monktail Composers Series Vol. 8 Friday, March 9, 8:00pm – Good Shepherd Chapel, Monktail Composers Series Vol. 9 Stephen Parris will share his recent […]
At Northwest Film Forum 1515 12th Ave, Seattle WA 98122 Thursday, November 3 at 8:00PM The Monktail Creative Music Concern, Third Eye Cinema, and NWFF present an evening of live collaborative media experiments. Some of the area’s most talented musicians will play in and alongside a number of pioneering short films by Northwest filmmakers. Featuring […]
Why Special O.P.S. Special O.P.S. is a trio of improvising musicians from Seattle’s Monktail Creative Music Concern. Mark Ostrowski is the drummer, Stephen Parris is the electric guitarist, and John Seman is the contrabassist. Their title Special O.P.S., besides being their initials, is their mission. O.P.S. is the mercenary guerrilla unit of Monktail, the small, […]
Jack Straw Productions and Washington Composer Forum present Composer Spotlight: JOHN SEMAN Monktail Creative Music Concern Wed, September 14, 7:30pm – Jack Straw Productions Thurs, September 15, 8:00pm – Good Shepherd Chapel John Seman, director of Seattle’s Monktail Creative Music Concern, will be joined by fellow Monktail composers Mark Ostrowski and Stephen Fandrich for […]
Due to insurmountable financial hurdles, Sounds Outside 2011 has been cancelled. This unfortunate decision comes with a great amount of regret, however we turn our focus, hope, and vision to the other powerful artistic performances and activities cultivated by each of our respective community organizations, musicians, supporters, friends and partners. More than ever, we encourage you […]
Check out the Monktail Bandcamp page for downloadable versions of the Monktail Records catalog. Download what you like, pay what you like.
Audio from Volume 3 of the Monktail Composers Series at The Chapel, Janury 8, 2011 featuring compositions by Samantha Boshnack, Scott Adams, Steve Parris, and Mark Ostrowski. Volume 4 will be on May 20.
Audio from Volume 2 of the Monktail Composers Series at The Chapel, December 16, 2010 featuring compositions by David Milford, Ken Jacobson, Gabriel Herbertson, and Beth Fleenor. Volume 3 is Saturday, January 8, 2011.
Audio from Volume 1 of the Monktail Composers Series at The Chapel, November 11, 2010 featuring compositions by Stephen Fandrich and John Seman. Volume 2 is December 16 and Volume 3 January 8.
Monktail Creative Music Concern presents the Monktail Composers Series Sounds Outside: A Celebration of Adventurous Music & Community has for five years, brought creative music of the highest caliber to audiences, for free, in Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park. Due to tremendous financial difficulties that have gravely impacted our local economy, the festival […]
Presented here are four concerts, from two consecutive days in March 2003 and September 2010. MARCH 6 & 7, 2003 (shot by Joe Shansky) SEPTEMBER 10 & 11, 2010 (shot by Bill Barton and Jessie Calhoun)
X 10 Monktail Creative Music Concern – Ten Years in Seattle SPECIAL O.P.S. Ninth Anniversary In celebrating ten years of music and advocacy in Seattle, the Monktail Creative Music Concern will be presenting a series of concerts the weekend of 10/10/10 as well as a brief Northwest tour of […]
Founded September 12, 2001 in Seattle, WA, SPECIAL O.P.S. is the sonic guerilla group of the Monktail Creative Music Concern. Featuring the rhythm section of MCMC founders John Seman on contrabass and Mark Ostrowski on percussion with electric guitarist Stephen Parris, SPECIAL O.P.S. is a free improvisation commando unit replete with dark regalia, […]
Recorded 14 May 2010 at a gig with Black Math. Brian Heaney does some singing. photo of ops in basement of the stone, nyc by beth fleenor
Full set recordings of Figeater at Zebulon Cafe in Brooklyn, NY with Jessice Lurie sitting in, and at The Stone in the East Village. Presented in their entirety because that’s how it went down. Special Fig = Beth Fleenor, clarinet; Steve Parris, guitar; John Seman, bass; Mark Ostrowski, drums.
audio from the special ops set and the premiere of "late nights at the georgetown morgue" by johnny + the primordial poo recorded at the comet 2010.01.23, seattle, wa
It’s been a busy 12 months for MCMC and next year is 10 years straight for us putting on shows in Seattle. This one gets a bunch of our friends together for a night of songs, stretching out, and singing along. The songs of Birds May Bite and Goatgirl tossed splendidly with the […]
The Wookie Dump Shootout – Inauspicious amusement and antediluvian nonsense. A Monktail sing-along. 1. opener (0:41):tad dardess-vox; john seman-guitar 2. joe.(1:15):td-vox; js-guitar,vox 3. big green monster (3:10):js-bass, drums, keys 4. opal (1.04): mark ostrowski-vox, perc.; js-guitar, vox 5. she didn’t write (3.50): td-vox; mo-drums; js-guitar 6. I bet you could (7.50): angel […]
Recordings from the Floss show at Molly Maguires Pub, Saturday, September 26, 2009. Izaak Mills – tenor, John Seman – double bass, Mark Ostrowski – drums.
Recorded mainly in Oberlin, OH in the fall of 1995, these recordings are some of the earliest experiments by John Seman, Mark Ostrowski and others in the monktail creative music concern. Recorded on 1/4-inch reels and 4-track cassettes, the quality is totally lo-fi DIY basement fabulous. 256 kbps mp3 free download.
Monktail Creative Music Concern presents Sounds Outside 2009 Cal Anderson Park / 1635 11th Ave (between Denny & Pine) Free and open to the public / Music from 1 – 8 pm Saturday, July 25 1:00 Non Grata 2:30 Moraine 4:00 Washington Composers Orchestra (WACO) […]
Wednesday August 5 Figeater The Sunset Tavern 5433 Ballard Ave NW Seattle 9 PM $6 Performing unit: Special Fig joins the bill with Navigator vs. Navigator in a mondo send off performance for local favorites, X-Ray Press! CANCELLED Thursday August 6 Floss SeaMonster 2202 N 45th St Seattle 8 PM Free! A rare public appearance […]
Figeater at 911 Media Arts Center from Joseph Gray on Vimeo. In no particular sense of order: Beth Fleenor – vocals, clarinet John Seman – Electric Bass Mark Ostrowski – Percussion Steven Parris – Electric Guitar Paris Hurley – Violin John Ewing – Percussion Jeff Huston – Electronics Samantha Boschnak – Trumpet […]
Baltimore filmmaker Grey Adkins’ short "Evolution of an Idea" won first prize at the first annual Baltimore City Paper Short Film Festival. The experimental film features music from the Seattle Harmonic Voices 2-CD set Harmonic Voice available on Monktail Records. http://www.youtube.com/user/GreyAdkins http://www.seattleharmonicvoices.com/ http://www.citypaper.com/promo/filmcontest.asp
Special O.P.S. (Ostrowski-Parris-Seman) at Egan’s Ballard Jam House, May 17, 2008. Recorded by GH.
Floss (Izaak Mills, John Seman, Mark Ostrowski, Zachary Watkins) at Cafe Pergolesi, Santa Cruz, CA. Recorded October 1, 2007 by Aram Shelton.