Joe Lovano is one of the most exciting and well-respected tenor saxophonists in the world today. Winner (among hundreds of other awards ) of the “DownBeat” Critics Poll as Best Tenor Saxophonist in 2003 and 2004, Lovano has appeared with so many jazz greats that to list them would be longer than the interview: Chet Baker, Woody Herman, Mel Lewis, Bob Brookmeyer, Charlie Haden, John Scofield, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Elvin Jones, Abbey Lincoln, Carla Bley, Jim Hall, Lee Konitz, Peter Erskine, Stan Getz, Dave Brubeck, Dave Holland… well you get the picture. Joe brings his Nonet to the 2006 Chicago Jazz Fest 8:30 Saturday night Sept. 2, to “revisit” the seminal 1949 Miles Davis “Birth of the Cool” album – with updated versions of songs from the original recording like “Move,” “Moon Dreams,” and “Boplicity” arranged within a “Birth of the Cool Suite” which is the centerpiece of his latest album – “Streams of Expression” (Blue Note). We asked Joe why in the waning summer’s heat and with fall in the air we should seek out the “cool.” JazzChicago.net: Why should we “revisit” the “Birth of the Cool, Joe?” What is its importance to jazz music today after all these years? JazzChicago.net: Where did you first discover the “Birth of the Cool” – was it one of (his father and saxophonist) Big T’s records? JazzChicago.net: This isn’t the first time you’ve worked with Third Stream composer Gunther Schuller – who played French horn on the original sessions, wrote the interludes and arranged and conducted the suite – what drew you to Schuller in the first place and how did this current collaboration take place? JazzChicago.net: Can you speak of Miles’ influence in your own music? JazzChicago.net: There isn’t just a Miles Davis/Gil Evans influence on your album – there seem to be nods to an entire range of styles and composers like Eric Dolphy, Albert Ayler and Ornette Coleman among others in your “Streams of Expression” suite (that surrounds the Miles suite), and it has been said that “Big Ben” (featuring Joe on the aulochrome – a double soprano sax) refers to Ben Webster. Was that the intent of this recording – to pay tribute to your influences while expanding on their style in your own way? JazzChicago.net: Finally, not to get you in trouble with Judi (his wife) but when you were touring backing up Tom Jones – did any of those panties get thrown your way? Thanks Joe and see (and hear) you at the Chicago Jazz Fest! Brad Walseth www.JazzChicago.net

Joe and his Nonet headline the Petrillo Music Shell
Saturday Night Sept. 2, 2006 at 8:30p.m.