Catfish - Restraint (2015)

Named after summers of fishing catfish out of his grandparents's Ozark Pond, CATFISH is a joint collaboration of Joe Cunningham, Dan Duval, and Ken Ollis.

"I've had the concept of orchestrating improvisations in my head for quite some time" says Joe Cunningham. Restraint is a collection of improvisations and simple melodies recorded at the Map Room in Portland, OR. "I began the orchestration after recording the melodies and chord progressions and improvisations. We added strings and horns and keyboards and bass and percussion. Once we finished I realized just how restrained the record is. There are bursts of energy here and there, but we aren't playing to impress people by playing fast and loud. This record is impressive in its slowness, its quietness, its restraint."

Restraint will be released on April 19th, 2015, at Performance Works Northwest, 4625 SE 67th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97206.

Joe Cunningham is a Michigan transplant, who studied at Central Michigan University and Wayne State University. In addition to being a member of and composer for The Blue Cranes, Joe has played with, Wayne Horvitz, The Decemberists, Spoon, Laura Gibson, Laura Veirs, Cass McCombs, Point Juncture WA. among many others.

Guitarist Dan Duval is a co-founder of PJCE Records, a PDX based guitarist and Lead Educator and Founder of the Shadow Government Music Academy. Duval has also been featured on over 5 records on this label!

Drummer Ken Ollis brings a truly unique perspective to the task of writing and recording an album of improvisatory music. Well versed in a multitude of styles, Ken's composing and improvising is as informed by rock and salsa music as it is by jazz, modern classical, and avant-garde free improvisation.

Joe Cunningham - Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, Piano, Rhodes, Organ
Dan Duval - Guitar, Piano
Ken Ollis - Drums

With:
Jeff Baxter - Piano (3,8)
Lee Elderton - Soprano Saxophone (2,6,7), Clarinet (4,10)
Ben Kates - Alto Saxophone (7)
Kyleen King - Viola (4,5,6,7,9)
Patty King - Violin (4,5,6,7,9)
Jon Shaw - Bass (7,9)
Reed Wallsmith - Alto Saxophone (1,7,10)