Formed in Chicago in 2009, Stirrup (Fred Lonberg-Holm, Nick Macri, Charles Rumback) is a true collective with all three musicians writing and arranging for the band with an emphasis on a unique, genre-defiant group sound. Exploratory, deep bass ostinatos, moody harmonies, strings shape-shifting from lyrical to noise, extended structures, and a dynamic rhythmic pulse are all jumping off points for the group displaying a wide range of varied influences.

Stirrup "Picks Up the Thread" is the genre-defiant trio’s fifth and latest album of all new compositions recorded live by audio specialist and recording ace, Ken Christianson at Pro Musica in Chicago. Using just a fistful of microphones, the session, live and open to the public, captures a distinct, fly-on-the-wall sound quality that places the listener amidst the band, in the room where it happened. This fresh batch of songs, some with the ink still wet, finds the group in search mode, getting into a huddle, then scattering to the far corners of the tune to find the corners and edges, then reporting back to the center with varied definitions of what the shape of the thing is.

Sometimes lyrical, sometimes chaotic, but always inquisitive and heat-seeking, Fred Lonberg-Holm’s cello playing is front and center, leading the charge and lighting the way with a torch. Or an arc welder. Or even by candlelight. Charles Rumback’s drumming surprises and disrupts - a classy, Roach brush workout tripping down a flight of stairs, always with a sense of forward Motian. And like a middle child, Nick Macri’s bass shapes help to settle the score - ostinato semaphores, shooting up flares to find a way up, over, and out.

While the trio no longer considers itself a “Chicago group” with Fred’s departure to Kingston, NY and, for part of the year, Portugal, the rhythm section of Nick and Charles remains in the 606 zip code. And, despite all the movement, change, unknown knowns, and otherwise, Stirrup can always pick up the thread, right where they left off. 

Every Wednesday, we present Chicago’s top jazz artists in a lively atmosphere, full of cocktail-shaking and spirited conversation.

6pm doors / 9pm show / 2 sets / no cover