Blake Tartare live in Karlsruhe 2009

Michael Blake - Tenor and Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Søren Kjaeregaard - Piano, Wurlitzer E-Piano
Jonas Westergaard - Bass
Frands Rifbjerg - Drums

recorded live at Jazzclub Karlsruhe, October 26, 2009

1. Farrah Fawcett (Blake)
2. Drowning (Blake)
3. Wigwise (Ellington)
4. Freestyle (Blake)
5. Tchicai (Kjaeregaaard)
6. Two On One (Blake)

Founded in 2001, Blake Tartare began playing around Copenhagen's historic Christiana enclave and in cafes around town. In 2002 they struck out on their first tour in Italy and Denmark. In 2001/2002 Kresten, Soren and Jonas received grants from the Danish Jazz Federation to live and study in New York City. Within a few months the guys were settled in and began playing together on a regular basis. Their recordings and live performances consist primarily of Blake’s music but they also at ease covering the works of Roland Kirk, Sun Ra and Charles Mingus. This concert here captures the bands strengths: leaning towards contemporary forms that meet up with free-jazz improvisation. They are world class improvisers and it's interesting to watch them develop", Blake proclaims of his Danish mates. "We’ve been playing out a lot and the response has been very positive, even ecstatic." Soren Friis of Stunt Records sought to release the groups first self-produced CD for the public.