Kickstarter

Hello everyone,

Thank your for your interest in "Summa Heretica," the first recording project I've undertaken that will focus exclusively on my own compositions and concepts.

With this recording project and band, I'm attempting to synthesize all of my previous learning and experience. While the procedure of jazz-making and improvising will always be (by dint of the nature of improvisation itself) a summation of all the life the jazz maker has lived, this project represents a more conscious, self-aware 'summing up', using the following list of techniques:

1.) Original compositions, reflecting my personal musical history (i.e. the different kinds of music I like, or the different ways I like playing, funneled through jazz). 

2.) Band of musicians assembled from somewhat different backgrounds, with common ground in jazz and improvisation. In the band: 

Loren Stillman- alto sax 

Brandon Seabrook- guitar 

Eivind Opsvik- bass 

VS- drums/tunes 

3.) Live performance to test the sea-worthiness of the compositions

4.) Studio recording, using a variety of improvisational techniques and band concepts (Fancy pants way of saying, "Some tunes will have forms, some will be free, others will be a blend, and we'll play solo, duo, trio, and quartet." It's fun to wear fancy pants.) This will be overseen by the band's producer, my long-time friend and musical comrade Mr. Geoff Kraly

5.) Production and post-production techniques- overdubbing, editing, sound design, and mixing- to create music and bands that did not exist in 'real time', edited and created by Geoff Kraly.  This could result in (for instance) two pre-recorded solo performances presented as a duet (that never happened). Or (perhaps) a solo from one quartet tune superimposed on a completely different tune altogether. Or using edits to link up two different tunes, and create a new, Frankenstein's Monster hybrid tune. And so on.  

Once the record is done, it will be printed, and we'll begin doing shows in support of it. We hope to see you at the shows....

Without your contribution, none of this will happen. With your contribution, we'll add a little something to the sum total of good music on Planet Earth!

Thanks,

Vinnie